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Van Leasing Review - The Nissan NV400

Mon, 14 May 2012 08:39:00 GMT

Today Stuart discovers if the new NV400 can help Nissan grab a bigger share of the UK van market.

With the exception of the Navara pickup, Nissan has never been a major player in the UK LCV market (in fact their vans have traditionally been not much more than rebadged Renault’s!). All that’s about to change however and Nissan has set themselves a target of doubling their European LCV sales by 2014. This new push starts with the launch of the much-anticipated NV400. Although this model has been built in conjunction with Renault and Vauxhall, much more effort has been put in to differentiate the NV400 from the competition both in terms of bold new looks and pretty impressive functionality. So could a brand new NV400 be the perfect van lease for you? Let’s find out:

Size Matters

Flexibility is a big selling point with the NV400. With 4 load length and 3 load height variants it’s suitable for pretty much any commercial purpose you can think of. Load volumes vary depending on the configuration but range from 8m3 – 17m3. Load lengths also vary between 2,583mm – 4,383mm – the latter figure making the NV400 longer than any configuration available on a Relay, Boxer or Ducato van. This is sure to prove another excellent selling point for those in need of the longest panel van they can get their hands on! Having said that when it comes to width the NV400 falls slightly short of its main competitors at 1765mm – so I suppose it’s down to what you’re looking your van to carry.

The NV400 makes loading and unloading a breeze by offering great access from 1,580mm wide rear doors and a nearside loading door. An offside door pack is also available and a full steel bulkhead comes as standard on all models.

Creature Comforts

The NV400 is more comfortable and offers more legroom than its predecessor. Everything in the cab is sturdy, robust and accessible and there’s plenty of storage in the form of a clipboard holder, cupholders, overhead and under seat storage and plenty of other cubbyholes here, there and everywhere!

The first thing that hits you when you jump into the cab is that it’s very ‘car-like’ both in terms of its interior décor and impressive standard features. Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, Speed Limiter, Trip Computer, Bluetooth Connectivity and MP3 Stereo are just a few features in a long list and a Rear Parking Sensor is also included as standard on all SE models. In fact in terms of comfort and features in the cab, it’s pretty difficult to fault the N400. So what about the drive?

On the Road

The NV400 is available in both front and rear wheel drive options, which make it an even more flexible vehicle and allows it to compete with the likes of the Ford Transit. Power comes in the form of a new Euro 5 2.3DCi engine available in 100, 125 and 150bhp power outputs and with 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. Fuel consumption is improved by 10% across the range and depending on the power output you go for torque outputs have been improved by up to 15%.

But what does it all mean? Well, the new engines are much quieter and smoother giving a refined drive that you don’t usually find in a panel van. Power delivery is smooth and progressive in all power outputs and handling is also surprisingly responsive. If all that wasn’t enough then the new chain driven camshaft in the NV400 increases the service intervals from 18,000 to 25,000miles, making it even cheaper to run!

The Verdict

There’s no doubt that the new NV400 is a huge step forward for Nissan but this brand new model isn’t just better than it’s predecessor, it’s also got a real edge on some of its biggest competitors. The NV400 is comfortable, refined, practical and comes with an array of impressive features as standard. What else could you possibly ask for?! Overall it really is a great van leasing deal.

Van Leasing Review - The Toyota Hilux

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:30:00 GMT

Today Ryan looks at the all-new Toyota Hilux to see how the ‘indestructible’ pickup fares against some pretty fierce competition.

The Toyota Hilux is famed for its ‘indestructible’ build quality thanks to BBC’s Top Gear series. Competition in the pickup sector is fiercer than ever though and with some highly rated competitors including the VW Amarok, Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi L200, how does the new Hilux fare? Today we want to find out and also answer that all-important question – could this be the perfect pickup lease for you? Let’s find out:

Size Matters

The Hilux has been completely restyled with a new bonnet, headlamps and grille, which give it a more modern and aggressive feel than its predecessor. There are currently 3 model options including the entry level HL2, the HL3 and the top of the range Invincible. All models are also available in single cab and double cab configurations.

It’s fair to say that pickups are all fairly similar in terms of load dimensions and capacity. The old Hilux was slightly smaller than its competitors though so the new one is that bit bigger and is now comparable to the load capacity of the Nissan Navara. Single cab deck length is 2315mm (double cab is 1520mm), deck width is 1520mm (double cab is 1515mm) and deck height is 450mm in both single and double cab configurations.

Three load covers are offered including 1 flat cover and 2 that are the same height as the cab.

Creature Comforts

Things have really improved inside the cab following criticism that the last model didn’t have the same quality feel as other pickups. There is a completely new look with restyled dashboard and instrument cluster and everything benefits from increased finish quality. The result is a much more refined and premium cab area in line with the feel you get in the new VW Amarok pickup. Toyota has also fitted some class leading features into the Hilux. The HL3 and Invincible in particular come with fantastic features as standard including a 6.1inch Toyota Touch multimedia unit, Bluetooth connectivity and a USB plug in for connecting your MP3 player to the stereo system.

In terms of comfort and space inside the cab, there’s plenty of room for both driver and passengers and the new Hilux is most definitely more spacious and comfortable than before. There’s plenty of storage for bottles, documents and pretty much anything you can think of and the new wider doors give even easier access to the cab area.

On the Road

The new Euro 5 compliant engines in the 2012 Toyota Hilux are a real step up from the ones they’re replacing. They produce the lowest emissions in their class, which improves their rating and results in a reduction in the tax you need to pay. You’ll also benefit from impressive fuel economy for a vehicle of this size (combined 38.7mpg), which is a great selling point as the price we pay for fuel continues to increase.

In terms of the drive, the new Hilux has a refined and car-like feel that makes it really enjoyable even on those longer journeys. There is a 2.5 Litre D-4D and a 3.0 Litre D-4D available and although both are great, we’d recommend taking the 3.0 Litre option, which provides greater torque, acceleration and performance.

Safety has clearly been taken into great consideration and Toyota have included ABS, an energy absorbing frame structure, collapsible steering column, retractable brake pedal to minimise injuries in a crash and twin airbags all as standard.

The Verdict

If you’re in the market for a new pickup then you’re spoilt for choice. The new Toyota Hilux is no exception and is certainly up there with other class-leading vehicles. It’s more refined, better looking, bigger and a great drive – especially if you opt for the 3.0 Litre D-4D configuration. Overall it really is a great pickup leasing deal.

Click here to find out more about the great pickup leasing deals available on the Toyota Hilux >>

Mind the GAP…

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:25:00 GMT

Ombudsman claims insurers leave van drivers exposed by undervaluing write-offs. But what can you do about it?

Let me paint a picture; you’ve had your new van for about a year only to step outside your front door one morning to find it’s gone – stolen. Even worse, you’re in an accident and it’s a complete write off.

What a nightmare. On the upside though you’ve got fully comprehensive insurance so that’ll cover any costs you’ll incur and allow you to either settle your current lease agreement and get a new van or buy a new comparable van outright. Well that’s the idea anyway. Unfortunately the reality isn’t quite as simple, or fair, as that.

It’s always been the case that if your vehicle is stolen or written off, the insurer will pay enough to replace the vehicle with something similar at the time it was written off. In other words, roughly the same in terms of age, condition and mileage.

That’s all very well but it does present a couple of problems:

1. If you own the van outright your insurance payout will mean you’ll have to hunt around for a vehicle of comparable age, mileage and condition (easier said than done!). Either that or fork out extra cash to purchase a new vehicle.

2. If you lease the van or have another finance agreement in place, then the insurance payout may not be enough to settle your lease agreement, particularly in the early stages. In this event there could be a financial shortfall that you’ll have to fork out for before replacing your vehicle.

Adding Insult to Injury

That’s bad enough but to add insult to injury, a recent BBC report has revealed that Complaints to an ombudsman about motor insurance rose by 29% last year - with key gripes including valuations of written-off vehicles.

The ombudsman has accused some insurance companies of valuing by trade price - the amount a dealer would pay - rather than retail price.

David Cresswell, of the Financial Ombudsman Service, said that even though the rules were clear, some insurance companies were not following them.

"We uphold about half of complaints in favour of the consumer. That is usually because the insurer has used the so-called trade price. That is the price that a dealer would pay,"

"That would be hundreds of pounds less than the retail price you would pay on a garage forecourt. This is not really acceptable."

For the average driver this can mean you’re not only having to plug the financial shortfall of your finance agreement or the difference in cost of your payout and a new van. You may also have to pay hundreds of pounds extra than you should because of your insurer undervaluing your van at the time of its theft or write-off.

What’s the Solution?

One piece of extra insurance a driver can take up is a product called GAP insurance. These policies cover the difference between what an owner originally paid for a car, and what it was worth by the time it was damaged or stolen.

Of course, taking out an extra policy means paying out more in insurance premiums but GAP insurance is usually a very cost-effective method of protecting your business against the financial risks highlighted above.

GAP Insurance will cover any shortfall up to a value of £5000 offering you additional peace of mind at minimal cost. It can even be included in the monthly rentals of your lease agreement and is usually offered at a fixed cost for the duration of your lease.

Is it worth taking the risk or paying that little bit extra? Ultimately that decision’s up to you but to find out more about GAP insurance click here.

Van Leasing Review – The Citroen Berlingo

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:10:00 GMT

Robert from Van Leasing Quotes asks if the ever-popular Citroen Berlingo is worthy of its position at the top of the small panel van tree.

First launched in 1996, the Berlingo has proved to be a huge success for Citroen and it has long since been the most popular small panel van on the market. A lot has changed since then though and the newest Berlingo includes a raft of improvements both inside and out – all aimed at keeping Citroen at the top of the list in the, extremely competitive, small panel van market.

So is the new Citroen Berlingo worthy of its position at the top and could a brand new Berlingo be the perfect van lease for your business? Let’s find out:

Size Matters

The new Citroen Berlingo is not only longer and wider than its predecessor; it’s also more flexible with 2 length options offering differing capacity and payload configurations. The L1 option has a 3.3m3 capacity, (up to) 750kg payload, 1229mm width and 1800mm length. The L2 option has a 3.3m3 capacity, (up to) 850kg payload, 1229mm width and 1800mm length. A nearside side-loading door comes as standard, which makes loading and unloading a breeze. There is also an additional option to include an offside side-loading door but to be honest; in most cases this isn’t required. Another nice feature is the collapsible passenger seats, which give you that additional load length when carrying those one-off or rare larger items.

Creature Comforts

Comfort and quality inside the cab has improved tenfold in the newest Berlingo range. The cabin is roomy and comfortable for both driver and passenger – even on long journeys. The standard seating configuration on the Berlingo is driver and 1 passenger but there is the option to upgrade to the ‘Extenso’ configuration, which adds room for an additional passenger. Well that’s the idea anyway but in reality we don’t think the Berlingo is big enough to comfortably cope with 3 passengers. It’s fine for short journeys but things do get a bit cramped on the longer ones! The driver’s seat is height adjustable with armrest and lumbar support. The steering wheel is also adjustable by height and reach, which allows the driver to find the perfect driving position. There are plenty of storage compartments within the Berlingo including a roomy glove box and a very handy dashboard-mounted clipboard for those easy-to-lose documents.

One of the best things about the Berlingo range is the fantastic features that come as standard including Air Conditioning, Bluetooth Connectivity, CD Player and even Sat Nav (on most models).

On the Road

There are a few engine configuration options on the newest Berlingo range including a 90bhp, 1.6litre, petrol option and two 1.6litre TDI, diesel options offering either 75bhp or 90bhp. As is almost always the case when it comes to vans, the diesel options are the ones to go for. The 90bhp diesel option in particular offers the strongest performance with plenty of torque and speed – even when carrying a full load. Considering the Berlingo has a relatively high centre of gravity, we were astonished at how well it holds the road and handles. The direct feel of the steering is a particular strong point. As is always important but not always the case, engine and road noise in the cab is pretty minimal. ABS also comes as standard on all models.

The Verdict

So, is the Citroen Berlingo the perfect van leasing or van contract hire deal for you? If it’s a small panel van you’re after then you’ll struggle to find anything that’s a better all rounder than this. The latest Citroen Berlingo range is a marked step up on its, already fantastic, predecessor – it’s bigger, more comfortable, has some great additional features as standard and is even more flexible. One small point to remember is that the Berlingo is better in the 2-seater configuration than it is in the 3. Overall this truly is a great van leasing deal.

Click here to find out more about the great van leasing deals available on the Citroen Berlingo >>

Van Leasing Review - The VW Caddy

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:37:00 GMT

Lorraine from Van Leasing Quotes takes a look at the Volkswagen Caddy to see how the highly acclaimed small van compares to some of its competitors:

The new Caddy bolts onto to VW’s already impressive range of vans that includes the much loved Transporter, Crafter and Amarok. But does the Caddy perform quite as well as its bigger siblings? On the face of it, the Caddy certainly displays the modern and refined design that we’ve come to expect from VW and I’m sure all business owners would be more than happy to see their logo shining on the side of a brand new Caddy. But what else can it offer and could a VW Caddy be the perfect van lease for you? Let’s find out:

Size Matters

The Caddy range has a number of options and the CaddyMaxi versions represent the larger size configurations. Load capacity varies between 3.2 – 4.2m3 depending on the model. This is very slightly less capacity than is available on the Ford Transit Connect and Peugeot Partner but it’s there or thereabouts when comparing it to others in its class. All models come with both side sliding doors and twin rear doors, which make loading and unloading a breeze.

Creature Comforts

For a van of its size there’s a surprising amount of space in the cab with ample leg room and seats with great support even for longer journeys. As you would expect with VW everything in the cab is of a high quality and built to last. There’s plenty of storage space with drink holders, cubby holes and document holders in abundance – all within easy reach. Bluetooth Connectivity is also a fantastic standard feature along with Remote Central Locking and a CD Player.

Safety and Security have also been given serious consideration by VW who have included front and side airbags for driver and passengers, Thatcham immobiliser and an alarm as standard.

On the Road

The VW Caddy comes with 4 engine options; two 1.6 TDi’s offering 74 and 106bhp and two 2.0TDI’s offering 108bhp and 138bhp. These are fantastic engines that are quiet, efficient, Euro V compliant and can go up to 735 miles on 1 tank of fuel. The 5-speed gearbox is standard on most models but some of the higher spec variants do come with the VW’s 7-speed DSG gearbox and patented 4-motion technology – fantastic additions and well worth the small extra cost in our opinion.

The Caddy is a joy to drive. Its small footprint gives it the feel of driving a car more than a van. It is extremely manoeuvrable and the refined suspension makes for great cornering and a smooth and comfy ride – even with a full load in the back.

There are also a huge number of additional features and functions that come as standard including ABS, ESP, Traction Control, Electronic Differential Lock, Engine Drag Torque Control, Daytime Running Lights and an automatic hazard light function under heavy braking. These all make for a safe and comfortable drive.

The Verdict

So, is the VW Caddy the perfect van lease or van contract hire deal for you? If you’re in the market for a small van then it has to be a big YES! Ok, so the Caddy is millimetres smaller than some of its closest competitors, but when you weigh this up against all the benefits of the Caddy this really no big deal. The VW Caddy is economical, looks fantastic, drives well and comes with so many great features as standard. Overall it really is a great van leasing deal.

Click here to find out more about the great van leasing deals available on the new VW Caddy >>

Top 5 Vans for 2012 Revealed

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:11:00 GMT

At Van Leasing Quotes we're excited to announce the Top 5 vans for 2012. Chosen from our panel of 10 van leasing experts; the list includes the top commercial vehicle from each major category and is designed to help you easily identify the best new van that suits your commercial needs. If you like the look of one of these vans why not explore the range and get a customised quote?!

Announcing the the Top 5 vans for 2012 - drum roll please...

Category: Micro
Winner: Peugeot Bipper Professional

Since its original release the Peugeot Bipper Professional has proven itself to be a popular choice amongst the van community. Both its quirky design and unique ‘in-between’ size have been a hit with drivers and small business owners alike. At 3.9m in length it’s the perfect size for those urban deliveries and still has a rather surprising 70kg payload with both sliding rearside door and twin asymmetric rear doors. It’s a great van that handles well, is extremely fuel-efficient and comes with brilliant added gadgets and extra features.

View the range >>

Category: Small
Winner: Citroen Berlingo

The Citroen Berlingo’s refined engines produce excellent fuel economy and pricing is extremely competitive. It’s also impressively comfortable with the interior offering a good variety of storage options and good standards of finish throughout. There are some capable alternative options going head to head with Citroen’s Berlingo van but it’s good enough to give any one of them a run for its money.

View the range >>

Category: Mid
Winner: Renault Trafic Sport

The Renault Trafic Sport has fantastic specification, drives well, is extremely comfortable and comes with great-added features as standard (including satellite navigation). There’s nothing more than tiny niggles we could find wrong with this van and you’ll really struggle to find a better panel van on the market today. Overall it really is a great van lease deal.

View the range >>

Category: Large
Winner: Ford Transit (Long Wheelbase)

If you don’t know what a Ford Transit is then you must have been living on another planet for the past 4 decades! The Ford Transit has long been the most popular van on the UK market selling millions of units since it’s introduction here over 40 years ago. With the new model range Ford were keen to smooth some of the rough edges, provide a more refined feel but still retain the durability that the Transit is renowned for – and boy did they succeed!

View the range >>

Category: Pickup
Winner: Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian

If it’s a pickup you’re looking for then you’ll struggle to find something better than the Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian. It offers great performance, plenty of added features, fantastic commercial ability and even a little bit of luxury in the cab. Ok so the Barbarian isn’t the most refined driving experience you’ll ever have but I’ve still to meet a pickup driver who’s looking for refinement rather than raw ability!

View the range >>

Van Leasing Review - The Ford Transit

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:09:00 GMT

Debbie from Van Leasing Quotes takes a look at the Ford Transit to see if it’s still worthy of the ‘Backbone of Britain’ title:

If you don’t know what a Ford Transit is then you must have been living on another planet for the past 4 decades! The Ford Transit has long been the most popular van on the UK market selling millions of units since it’s introduction here over 40 years ago. The Transit may be a product of an American motor giant but the Transit is to this day an extremely British phenomenon. Today it is both designed and assembled in the UK with many of its components also coming from British manufacturers.

With the new model range Ford were keen to smooth some of the rough edges, provide a more refined feel but still retain the durability that the Transit is renowned for. The question is have the achieved this and could a Ford Transit be the perfect van lease for you?

Size Matters

The Ford Transit has by far the most size flexibility you’ll find in any model range today. With over 60 body configurations alone I really don’t have the time to go through every single one of them! All you need to know is that the Transit comes with pretty much every variation of wheelbase, length, roof height, bulkhead and engine configuration you can think of. If you want a steer towards the best models in the range then our favourites are the Trend and Limited models, which come with a great spec and fantastic standard equipment. Loading is a breeze in the Transit with most models benefitting from both side and rear loading options.

Creature Comforts

In line with Ford’s objective to make the Transit more refined, the cab area has seen some vast improvements and is now much more ‘car like’ than its predecessor in terms of design and comfort. There’s plenty of space and seating for both the driver and passengers offers real comfort – even on longer journeys. There’s also load of neat and innovative storage solutions such as a flip up table for completing that dreaded paperwork. Oh and Ford must think van drivers are extremely thirsty as there’s more cup holders than you’ll know what to do with!

Safety and Security have also been given serious consideration by Ford who have included ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Brake Traction Control, Electronic Stability Programme, Thatcham Alarm System, Passive Anti-Theft System and Deadlocks on the new Transit model.

On the Road

This is where the Transit has really made a huge step forward and Ford really has managed to create a more refined drive. When on the road noise, vibration and general ‘harshness’ has been greatly reduced and this makes a significant improvement on comfort in the cab. The Transit might be a bit late to the game on this one but the new dash mounted gear lever also reduces vibration and gives a smoother feel when on going through the gears.

Once again the engine range is wide in the Transit – with a great range of options to suit any commercial requirement. This includes 2.2, 2.4 & 3.2 Litre TDCi common rail diesel engines with both front and rear wheel configuration options. If it’s heavy duty work you’re doing then opt for the rear-wheel 2.4 or 3.2 Litre options. Efficiency varies greatly across the range but if you want a van that offers good fuel consumption then the 2.2 ECOnetic engine is a standout option – achieving a combined 39.2mpg.

The Verdict

So, is the Ford Transit the perfect van lease or van contract hire deal for you? The answer to this has to be a very resounding YES! The Transit was already a fantastic van and the new model has added nothing but improvements – making an already great van even greater! Overall it really is a great van leasing deal.

Click here to find out more about the great van leasing deals available on the new Ford Transit

Van Leasing Review - The Renault Trafic Sport

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:19:00 GMT

Carol-Anne from Van Leasing Quotes takes a look at the Renault Trafic Sport to see how the sports specification version of the extremely popular panel van stacks up:

When the Renault Trafic was first released in the UK over 10 years ago it was met with a degree of pessimism by many critics. We were told it was too different, too striking and too modern for the van market at the time. Well that proved to be a lot of rubbish and after 10 extremely successful years the 3rd design phase of the Trafic has now been released.

Today I’m going to take a look at the Renault Trafic Sport – the sports specification version of the Trafic, which comes with fog lights, alloys wheels and body coloured bumpers as standard to give that already striking look a more premium feel.

So could the Renault Trafic Sport be the perfect van lease for you?

Size Matters

This van does what so many others have struggled to – provide great load abilities with a compact footprint. To give you an example, the short wheel base version of the Trafic can carry up to 5 cubic metres worth of load but has a footprint of less than 5 metres in length. This is pretty impressive for a panel van of this size and you’d struggle to beat that with any other van on the market.

Loading and unloading is a breeze with practical and accessible loading via the twin rear doors or optional side sliding door. Most models also come with a steel bulkhead.

Creature Comforts

The Trafic Sport has the most impressive extra features as standard as we’ve seen on any other van in its class. Electric windows, satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, enhanced security features including anti-drill locks, and great storage space including roomy door pockets and a centre console. Space in the cab is spacious enough (if not the roomiest cab you’ll find in a panel van) and seats are very comfortable with flexible adjustment options. The one little niggle, and it’s a very small niggle, is that the cup holders (located in the glove box) are a bit awkward.

On the Road

First things first, the Renault Trafic Sport is an absolute delight to drive. It has a comfortable driving position, good visibility, nice light steering and smooth movement through all 6 gears. The 2.0 Litre DCi engine means, unlike some panel vans, the Trafic Sport is comfortable at speed and, thanks to the 6-speed gearbox, is especially good for motorway driving.

The Verdict

So, is the Renault Trafic Sport the perfect van lease or van contract hire deal for you? The answer to this has to be a very resounding YES! The Renault Trafic Sport has fantastic specification, drives well, is extremely comfortable and comes with great-added features as standard including satellite navigation. There’s nothing more than tiny niggles we could find wrong with this van and you’ll really struggle to find a better panel van on the market today. Overall it really is a great van leasing deal.

Click here to find out more about the great van leasing deals available on the new Renault Trafic Sport

Van Leasing Review – The Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:49:00 GMT

Today Lorraine from Van Leasing Quotes tells us why the range-topping Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian offers one of the best van leasing/pickup leasing deals available today:

Since its release the Mitsubishi L200 has proved to be extremely popular for both commercial and non-commercial customers and it is now the biggest selling pickup in the UK. The Barbarian is the range-topping L200 model and it replaces the Animal version of the vehicle to provide even more performance, added features and commercial ability.

So if you’re looking for your next commercial vehicle could the Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian be the perfect pickup / van lease for you?

Size Matters

I think it would be fair to say that Pickup vehicles are much of a muchness in terms of load ability and the Barbarian offers no better or no worse than most pickups on the market today. It has a 1 tonne payload and can easily carry a pallet on the rear deck. In terms of size and space in the cab, there is plenty of space for both the driver and passengers – especially in the doublecab version, which offers impressive spaciousness in the back as well as the front.

Creature Comforts

When sitting in the cab you won’t be in the least bit surprised to find out the Barbarian is the range-topping version of the L200. It has everything you would expect in a top of the range vehicle (and more) including satellite navigation, reversing camera, leather trim and electric windows, which include an electric rear window that gives access to the load bay directly from the cab. The seats with leather trim are extremely comfortable although the driving position would probably be better if the seat could adjust slightly lower than it does.

On the Road

The Barbarian, as the name suggests, is a rugged workhorse that offers plenty of power and ability. It comes with a 2.5 Litre turbo diesel engine, 5-speed gearbox, offers up 175 bhp and gets from 0-62 in 13 seconds flat. The diesel engine provides plenty of torque – just what you need when carrying heavy loads on the rear deck. The stability control also helps a lot when the Barbarian is full to the brim.

How well does the Barbarian Drive? Bare in mind this is a raw commercial vehicle at heart, so it’s by no means a refined and calm experience. It is however absolutely perfect for the commercial pickup driver who needs plenty of pulling power and performance on all terrains,

The Verdict

So, is the Mitsubishi L200 Barbarian the perfect van lease or van contract hire deal for you? Well, if it’s a pickup you’re looking for then you’ll struggle to find something better than the Barbarian. It offers great performance, plenty of added features, fantastic commercial ability and even a little bit of luxury in the cab. Ok so the Barbarian isn’t the most refined driving experience you’ll ever have but I’ve still to meet a pickup driver who’s looking for refinement rather than raw ability! Overall it really is a great van leasing deal.

Click here to find out more about the great van leasing deals available on the new Mitsubishi L200

Why 20% businesses are taking a big financial risk

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:47:00 GMT

Leading UK van leasing company VanLeasingQuotes.com has just released statistics showing that 20% of businesses leasing a vehicle are leaving themselves open to a financial risk.

If a vehicle is stolen or written off during the period of a van leasing, van lease purchase or van contract hire agreement, an insurance company will agree to pay the vehicle's market value at the time of the loss. They will credit their settlement to the businesses account; however this amount may not be enough to settle the lease if the balance on the agreement is higher than the vehicles value at this time. This is especially the case during the early stages of a van lease agreement. In this event there would be a financial shortfall.

Awareness

The study carried out by VanLeasingQuotes.com found that the vast majority of businesses are aware of this risk and have taken the preventative measures to ensure they protect themselves in such an event. 20% of businesses however still opt not to protect themselves against this eventuality. The study found the 2 major reasons for not protecting against the financial risk was because of the perceived low chance of vehicle theft or write off and not wanting to pay to insure the business further against these risks.

The Solution

The way for businesses to protect themselves against any financial shortfall is by taking out a GAP insurance policy. This straightforward and extremely low-cost insurance policy protects a company against up to £5,000 of financial shortfall and costs very little on a monthly basis.

What is GAP Insurance?

GAP Insurance protects a business from any loss if their vehicle is stolen or written-off during its lease period. It will cover any shortfall up to a value of £5000 - offering businesses additional peace of mind at minimal cost.

GAP Insurance provides up to £5000 of additional cover, can be included in monthly rentals, provides a fixed cost for the duration of the lease and has a simple online application process.

VanLeasingQuotes.com Managing Director Debbie Monro stated: “We find most of our customers want to protect themselves against the risk of theft or vehicle write off but we do find there are still some who are willing to take the risk. We’re hopeful that by clearly explaining the benefits and little cost involved in taking out a GAP Insurance policy we can protect even more of our customers in the future”

Click here to find out more about our low-cost GAP Insurance policies

Van Leasing Review - The VW Amarok

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 10:49:00 GMT

Stuart from Van Leasing Quotes takes a look at the Amarok to see how it stacks up against some of its more established pickup competitiors:

The new VW Amarok is the only pickup you’ll find that’s designed and engineered in Europe. That is unless you manage to find yourself a 1980’s VW Taro, which was the German manufacturer’s last foray into the pickup world. Without going into to too much detail, it was a bit of a flop!

So have VW now cracked it with the Amarok and could it be the perfect van lease for you?

Size Matters

Like all pickups the Amarok’s open back is well suited for commercial work. It has a payload of 1000kg, can tow up to 2.8 metric tonnes and is the only pickup that can handle a Euro Pallet sideways – giving it a bit of an edge on it’s competitors. One downside is that only the doublecab version is available in the UK at the moment, which makes the new model a bit less flexible in terms of choosing a configuration that best suits what you need. However, we’re told a singlecab is on its way next year.

Creature Comforts

There’s no question about it, VW has gone refined and upmarket with the Amarok in comparison to the raw commercial feel were used to getting with most pickups available in the UK today. If you’re driving or ‘riding shotgun’ you’ll have plenty of room in the back but even in the back there’s plenty of room left for those extra passengers. It’s a very comfortable ride too, especially if you opt for the leather trim. Other features include front & side airbags, climate control, MP3 compatible CD player, and tinted windows – making the Amorok a very comfortable and enjoyable vehicle to drive.

On the Road

All versions of the Amarok come with VW’s 2.0Litre BiTDi engine, which offers all the power and torque required for a vehicle of this size. Despite having a smaller engine than most of its competitors, it still beats them all comfortably in terms of engine performance.

The top models also come with selectable drive options allowing easy switching between 2 and 4 wheel drive at the press of a button. This feature might cost a little bit extra each month in terms of van leasing costs but it offers great fuel efficiency savings, which could more than pay for itself.

The drive is surprisingly good for a pickup and it’s a smooth ride too – even on rough terrain. It’s also a quiet ride with minimal amounts of road noise in the cab area. One small niggle is that the gear change in the manual version could be a bit smoother – but that really is a small point.

The Verdict

So, is the VW Amarok the perfect van lease for you? If you’re looking for a pickup I think the answer has to be a resounding YES! It’s a great pickup that handles well, is fuel-efficient and comes with brilliant added gadgets and extra features. The Amarok has barely anything we could pick out as being negative points so it’s fair to say VW have finally cracked the art of making a great pickup vehicle. Overall it really is a great van leasing deal.

Click here to find out more about the great van leasing deals available on the new VW Amarok

Why looking for the cheapest van leasing deal could end up costing more (much more actually!)

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:59:00 GMT

Van leasing and van contract hire are 2 of the most popular ways for businesses to finance their vehicles, but could looking for the cheapest van lease or contract hire deal be a mistake – could it end up costing much more in the long-run? Investing in a new van or fleet of commercial vehicles is one of the largest investments a business makes so it’s understandable that cost is a big factor in the decision of which van model to choose but here’s why the cheapest monthly cost might end up costing more:

Fuel Economy

Fuel prices continue on an upward trend and, actually, monthly fuel costs for the average van user are likely to exceed that of the monthly cost for a van lease agreement; so it’s surprising that so many forget to take fuel economy into account when selecting a van. Fuel economy should be one of the biggest considerations before selecting a model of van. For instance, spending a bit more on a newer van model, which is likely to be much more fuel efficient, could end up saving more money than it costs on a monthly basis.

Size Matters

Size is another factor that directly affects the running costs of your vehicle. Running a larger van is going to use more fuel and cost more to run so selecting the appropriate van for what the business needs it to do is important. A Mercedes Sprinter van may be on offer at a low monthly cost but if a business needs something much smaller and the van will be on the road half-empty most of the time it would still be cheaper in the long-run to invest in the smaller vehicle that has higher monthly van lease costs.

Insurance

Insurance may not be as much of a financial outlay as monthly fuel costs but it’s still big expense for a business – especially those running multiple vehicles. Again, a business should do its homework to find out what insurance band a van falls into before it makes that final selection and signs the van leasing or van contract hire agreement.

Creature Comforts

This may not be directly related to saving money in the long run but it’s an important point that many forget. A business owner or their employees are going to spend a huge amount of time in the van over the period of the van lease so investing that extra few pounds a week for Air Conditioning or other creature comforts might seem a frivolous expense now but comfort is all important when it comes to actually running the van on the road.

Businesses understandably want to get the best deal when signing a new van leasing agreement but calculating the overall costs including what it will cost to run and insure the vehicle can’t be left out or businesses may fond that great van lease deal ends up costing more each month. Equally, cutting back on features and extras may seem like a good cost saving measure now but comfort is all important for the business owner or employee spending the best chunk of the working week in their van.

5 Ways to get the Best Van Leasing Deal

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 15:53:00 GMT

With ever-rising fuel prices and all the other costs involved, running a van for your business can often seem like an expensive liability. However, if you’re thinking of financing a new van through a flexible finance method such as van leasing, van contract hire or van lease purchase, then you might be surprised at how much less expensive running a brand new van can be. But how do you get best van leasing deal for your business? Here’s a few tips:

Be Flexible
The more flexible you can be about make, model and colour of your van then the more likely you are to find the best van leasing deal. If your van lease company have stock of a certain vehicle then they’re more likely to give you a good deal than if you want a van ‘made to order’. That doesn’t mean you won’t get what you want; being more flexible with the make, manufacturer and colour actually opens you up to much more choice - so be open minded.

Think Long-term
Whether you’re buying a van or leasing one, think of it as a medium-to-long-term investment rather than something you only want for a year. The greatest benefit of a longer-term lease agreement over say 4-5 years is that it will greatly reduce your monthly payments.

Watch Your Mileage (if you can!)
The less miles you do in a year then the cheaper your monthly rentals will be. The problem is this isn’t something you have control over – you have to do the miles your job or business requires of you. But it’s not just doing the least miles that matter. If you are doing more miles then it’s about finding the best van finance package for you. A good van leasing advisor will be able to help you find one of the many van lease packages designed to suit higher annual mileage bandings.

Look Beyond the Monthly Rental
The monthly rental figure for your new van is by no means all you should be taking into consideration. One van may offer a cheap deal on the face of it but if it’s a bit of a gas guzzler and it’s in a high insurance band then it can soon become more expensive overall than that more expensive and better suited model you turned down. Remember to take all cost factors into account before making a decision – it could save you thousands of pounds over the period of the lease.

Find a Flexible Lease Partner
Van leasing has moved on considerably from the past when it was inflexible and often expensive. Today good van leasing companies not only have a range of flexible finance options including van leasing, van contract hire and van lease purchase, they also offer packages completely tailored to your business requirements and budget. For instance, selecting a flexible mileage option, reducing monthly payments with flexible deposit options, including maintenance and servicing into the monthly rental cost and much, much more can be done to create the perfect (and least expensive) van lease deal for you.

RB:

VanLeasingQuotes.com lets you discover the best van leasing, van lease or van contract hire deal in just 60 seconds.

Van Drivers – Are you Ready for 2012?

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 15:03:00 GMT

Lorraine from van leasing specialists VanLeasingQuotes.com takes a look at how the new Low Emission Zone (LEZ) standards coming into force in London could affect your business:

Are you ready for 2012? And no, this isn’t another article about the Olympics (although I am talking about something happening in London).

What I am talking about is the new regulations coming into place in London’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ), which could have implications for you if you drive a van or run a business in the Greater London area.

What is the LEZ?
The LEZ is a Government initiative designed to reduce the pollution levels in the city and bring it in line with strict European Commission standards. This initiative has actually been in place since 2008 but in 2012 tighter restrictions will come into place that will affect a greater number of van and commercial vehicle drivers in the Greater London area. These new rules will come into place officially on the 3rd January 2012.

How will it affect me?
If you drive a van, minibus, utility vehicle or pickup in the Greater London area then you could be looking at a daily charge of £100 if yours is one of the thousands of vehicles that fails to meet these new tighter emission limits. Your vehicle will only be affected if it does not meet minimum exhaust emission standards, which are based on official European Type Approval Standards for particulate matter.

What can I do?
If your vehicle is affected then it might be time to think about a new, more environmentally friendly van. The good news is, a more environmentally friendly van tends to be one that is also much more efficient on fuel, which will save the environment as well as your well earned cash! A brand new van might not be realistic for everyone, although with flexible van finance methods such as van leasing, van contract hire and van lease purchase, this may be much less expensive than you think. If a new vans not for you at the moment then it is also possible to modify your vehicle to meet these new standards. Although still expensive, modifying may be a good short-term option.

What’s the best van for low emissions?
The truth is, most brand new vehicles on the market meet these stricter European standards. So any new vehicle is likely to be more environmentally friendly and efficient than your current one. However, there are a number of stand out vehicles such as the Volkswagen Transporter, which offers great efficiency and economy as well as meeting the stricter European emissions standards. If you are looking to buy or finance a new vehicle through van leasing, van contract hire or van lease purchase, then make sure you speak to an experienced and knowledgeable advisor who can point you in the direction of the right van for you. We’ll keep you posted on developments to the LEZ closer to the time.

The New Volkswagen Crafter - Pull More, Drink Less

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:05:00 GMT

Today Carol-Anne from Van Leasing Quotes tells us why the new Volkswagen Crafter with Bluemotion Technology offers one of the best van leasing deals on the market:

One of the classic problems van manufacturers have is compromising between fuel efficiency and engine power. It’s all very well offering 40mpg but if it’s at the detriment power output and torque then it’s not going to sell. Equally, some of the highest-powered vans on the market may offer greatly increased performance but not many are willing to fork out at the pump for all the extra fuel the van is guzzling – especially at today’s fuel prices!

Well, it seems that VW may have finally cracked it. The new VW Crafter with Bluemotion Technology offers the best balance of performance and efficiency on the market today. Combine this with some of the fantastic van leasing, van contract hire and van lease purchase deals available on the new model at the moment, and you have very little reason not to seriously look at the VW Crafter as your next van.

It’s powered by the 2.0-litre TDi diesel engine that’s already available in the highly successful Transporter and Amarok models and is offered with brake power outputs of 109, 136, 143 and 163hp. VW say the new engine delivers equivalent or higher levels of torque at lower engine speeds than the five-cylinder, 2.5-litre Blue TDI engine it replaces. For example, the CR35 2.0-litre TDI 163hp Bluemotion MWB panel van achieves 29% better fuel economy on the combined cycle than the 2.5-litre BlueTDI with the same output. This gain of eight miles per gallon could extend the range of a 75 litre fuel tank by 130 miles. The Crafter offers fuel economy of up to 38.7mpg and CO2 emissions that VW say will go to as low as 199g /km (23% less than the older model). The lighter new engine also has a boosted payload by up to 100kg.

Bluemotion Stop/Start technology models are available, which enhance fuel economy even further. The new stop/start system cuts the engine whilst the van is standstill but only when clutch is disengaged. It will not start if the seatbelt is unclipped or if a door is not shut, which is great for safety (although admittedly quite annoying!). Another new feature is a flashing indicator on the dash, which displays the correct gear you should be in – providing further fuel consumption savings.

The Warranty period for the New VW Crafter is unlimited Miles for 3 years, fantastic for those who run a high mileage year on year. The new Crafter has also had a nose job – making the design a bit more subtle than before (which is something we definitely welcome!),

So in case we haven’t already convinced you that the VW Crafter is a great van, lets point out it’s best features again:

Looks far better
Smaller engine, same great performance
Less time and cash at the pumps
Delivers up to 37.2mpg
Extra payload of up to 100kg

Click here to find out more about the great van leasing deals available on the new VW Crafter.

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