Author Archives: Van Rental

Minibus Hire Price Comparison from VanRental.co.uk

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Did you know that vanrental.co.uk also offers price comparison for self-drive minibus and MPV hire all over the UK?

Although our roots are in van hire, we’ve expanded our reach over the years since our launch in 2007, and can now offer price comparison for minibus hire, too, covering 7-seater MPVs and 8, 9, 12, 15 and 17-seater minibuses.

You can find our minibus hire search engine on the minibus page, which is linked from the main website navigation (top left):

Minibus hire on vanrental.co.uk

Once you’re there, we’ve provided several useful guides to minibus hire — or if you know what you want, you can get straight down to action by entering your requirements into our search box (it’s exactly the same as our van hire search box):

Minibus hire search box on vanrental.co.uk

After that, just click the search button and you will be taken to your results page, where you can choose from a selection of MPV and minibus hire options, ranging from 7 – 17 seats.

Remember — we don’t add anything on to the prices provided by the hire companies, which are live, real-time quotes directly from their booking systems.

Minibus hire price comparison results on vanrental.co.uk

And that’s it! Once you’ve made your choice, click on the pink Go! button and you will be taken to the hire company’s website (we don’t take bookings) to finish your quote and make your bookings.

Any questions? Send us a tweet @vanrentaluk, leave a comment below, or drop us an email.

Used Van Values Fall For 2nd Consecutive Month

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Have used van values finally peaked? The latest data vehicle auctioneers BCA suggests that they might have done, although prices in June remained a whopping 14% up on average prices in June 2012 — well above inflation.

The average June figure of £4,766 for all LCVs represented a fall of £104 (2.1%) compared to May.  Average age remained at just under 58 months, although average mileage increased for the second month running.  Fleet & lease values improved marginally over the month, while dealer part-exchange sectors saw values decline for the second month running and are now 10.5% down from the record levels seen in April.

BCA average used van values June 2013

Average used LCV values May 2011 – June 2013 (courtesy of BCA)

 

Year-on-year, June 2013 was ahead by £595 or 14.2%, a significant rise on last month’s figures with age declining and mileage rising over the period.  Average CAP performance was notably higher in 2013.

Year-on-year table: All vans

All vans Avg Age (mnths) Avg Mileage Avg Value Sale vs CAP
June 2012 58.21 76,661 £4,171 97.73%
June 2013 57.95 80,714 £4,766 100.34%

Data courtesy of BCA (www.bca-europe.com)

BCA’s Duncan Ward commented:

“While average values declined for the second month running across the board, the low supplies of good retail-quality vans mean demand for these vehicles remains strong and this has benefited the fleet & lease sector where values rose yet again.  The overall decline in average value is simply a result of buyers becoming a little more selective and not showing the same willingness to bid as strongly on high mileage and damage.  Many corporate sellers are investing in pre-sale preparation – this is particularly important where vans have been body wrapped in vinyl livery as it allows their vehicles to be presented to the used buyer with an original factory finish.”

Ward expects values to continue to weaken through the summer months, commenting:

“The summer months are traditionally been quieter in the wholesale van markets and with the school holidays imminent at the time of writing we should expect to see demand softening a little over the next few weeks.  Now would be a good time for volume sellers to review their remarketing plans and make sure they are fully in tune with market sentiment.”

The next three months should show which way the tide is flowing — is the fall in used values related to the 11% increase in new van registrations we’ve seen so far this year?

All-New Ford Transit Connect Now Available To Order

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Ford Transit Connect

The all-new Ford Transit Connect is now available to order for delivery late in 2013.

The all-new Ford Transit Connect is now available to order, for delivery late 2013.

The new Transit Connect is part of Ford’s completely new commercial vehicle range, which started with the launch of the Transit Custom, and will be followed by a new two-tonne Transit and a new Transit Courier in 2014.

Available in Van, Double-Cab-in-Van and Kombi bodystyles with short-wheelbase (L1) and long-wheelbase (L2) versions, the Ford Transit Connect offers a spacious and practical load area with total volumes of 2.9m3 and 3.6m3 with a full bulkhead, or 3.7m3 and 4.4m3 including the front loadspace area.

The new vehicle can carry payloads of up to 1,000kg matching best in class figures.

A load-through hatch in the bulkhead and fold-flat passenger seat enable long loads up to 3.0m (L1) and 3.4m (L2) to be safely carried in the vehicle. In addition, a multi-fold dual passenger seat (like the Citroen Berlingo) now enables van models to carry up to three people in the cab. With a width between the wheelarches of 1,226mm, both models can accommodate two Europallets in the load area.

The Kombi and Double-Cab-in-Van models offer seating for five, or seven in the L2 Kombi model, and deliver flexible rear seat configurations. DCiV versions feature a movable mesh bulkhead. The L2 model also offers a unique fold-flat seat capability that optimises loadspace from the front passenger seats rearwards and accommodates loads of up to 2m.

Ford Transit Connect cockpit

When Ford says the cabin offers car-like design and comfort, it isn’t joking.

The Transit Connect delivers best-in-class fuel efficiency, with the ECOnetic model capable of 70.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 105g/km when fitted with a fixed 62mph speed limiter (with other fixed and switchable speed limiters available as options) – a 34 per cent improvement versus the current model.

Ford ECOnetic Technologies, including Auto-Start-Stop and Active Grille Shutter, help to minimise fuel consumption on selected models.

The full powertrain line-up includes the highly-efficient, Dagenham-built 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine with a choice of 75, 95 and 115PS power outputs, and the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine with 100PS power output.

Finally, unlike many rivals which are tested like passenger cars, the all-new Transit Connect has been subjected to Ford’s ultra-stringent commercial vehicle testing and durability standards, covering the equivalent of three million miles in arduous testing, including at least 250,000 miles in tough real-world fleet conditions.

Developed under the One Ford global product strategy at Ford’s commercial vehicle centre of excellence in Dunton, Essex, the all-new Transit Connect will be produced at Ford’s state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Valencia, Spain for sale across Europe, North America and other worldwide markets.

Something tells me it could be a big hit with van hire companies and is likely to gain market share from the Vauxhall Combo / Citroen Berlingo families.

UK Success Story: Vauxhall Celebrates 900,000th Vivaro Built At Luton

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The 900,000th Vauxhall Vivaro

The 900,000th Vauxhall Vivaro will go on the road with AA Patrol of the Year, Tony Rich.

Who says Britain doesn’t manufacture anything anymore?

Although the loss of the Ford Transit plant in Southampton was a blow to the UK’s automotive industry, Vauxhall continues to fly the flag as the UK’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer. The Luton-based firm has just celebrated the 900,000th Vivaro van built at its Luton plant.

The model, which was painted yellow, will join the AA’s fleet and was handed over to AA Patrol of the Year Tony Rich, who will drive the van when it goes on the road.

More than 150,000 of the 900,000 Vivaros built at Luton have been sold in Britain, including 9,000 so far this year. Although the model is getting slightly long in the tooth and is due for replacement, it remains a popular model that’s good to drive and economical to run.

Fortunately, Vauxhall is planning to build the next-generation Vivaro at Luton, and production is due to start next year.

Facility changes have begun with important upgrades already installed in the body shop. Significant investment has been made in the project including €95 million in the specific plant changes and €112 million in vendor tooling, of which €34 million was spent in the UK, and €12 million on facilities.  The plant will source 40 per cent of its content locally for the new vehicle, too, although I don’t know how this compares with the current Vivaro.

Vauxhall’s Luton plant employs more than 2,500 people directly and the firm reckons that a further 15,000 are employed indirectly, by virtue of the plant’s existence and activities. The Luton plant built 53,000 vans in 2012 and is currently running at a rate of 198 per day, of which around 60% are exported, based on this year’s figures.

Of course, the intriguing question is if Vauxhall can build a medium van so successfully in the UK, why can’t Ford?

How Does VanRental.co.uk Van Hire Price Comparison Work?

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Since we launched our van hire price comparison system around 18 months ago, we’ve had plenty of positive feedback on the system.

Unfortunately, we also get the occasional email from customers who believe they’ve booked a van with us — something which is impossible, as we don’t handle bookings or take payment. We’d hate to think that anyone was confused or misled by our website, which we’ve worked hard to make clear and simple.

So, to help clear up any confusion, I thought I would explain in a little more detail how vanrental.co.uk works.

Van hire price comparison in 4 easy steps:

Enter your location and hire dates into the search box:

Van hire comparison search box

You will be shown a list of results for each size of van. Where possible, we provide a ‘live’ quote that we have fetched from the company’s booking system. If not, we provide a link, or if we have no branches in your location, we’ll show you a map with the nearest van hire locations so you can choose an alternative.

This is our main results screen:

Van hire price comparison results

Once you have chosen your selection, click on the pink ‘Go’ button and you will be redirected to the hire company’s website, where you can refine your quote or make a booking directly with them:

vanrental.co.uk exit page

You will see this screen before you are transferred to our rental partners’ websites to inform you that you are leaving vanrental.co.uk.

And that’s it! We do not add anything to the prices we receive from our rental partners, and you can compare prices from most of the UK’s major van hire companies and brokers in just a few seconds on vanrental.co.uk.

I hope that’s been useful – if you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to drop us an email, leave a comment below, or send us a tweet @vanrentaluk.

Europcar Reports Surging Demand for Sunday Van Hire

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Europcar van hireEuropcar, the leader in car and van hire services in Europe for both leisure and business users is reporting a 30% increase in collection and return of vehicles at its more than 70 locations that are open on Sundays, based on data collected from 2010 to 2013.

The company has led the market in offering 7 day opening at key airport, station and city centre locations for several years and the new data demonstrates the importance of offering access to vehicle rental at the times that suit business and leisure customers.

“We believe 7 day opening should be a standard part of the offering from vehicle hire providers”, said Ken McCall, Managing Director, Europcar UK Group.  “”Europcar was the first company to extend its opening hours to encompass Saturday afternoons and Sundays several years ago and we continue to add to the 70+ locations as we analyse and respond to customer need.

“In the past, the car hire market came to a halt for the weekend after 1pm on Saturdays. But the huge surge we’ve seen in the demand for rentals on Sundays over the past year proves that a 7-day a week service gives customers the choice and flexibility they need.”

Europcar offers easy access to car and van hire 7 days per week at key locations across the UK, including all its airports, many station branches and many city centres, enabling customers to collect and drop off vehicles every day of the week – not just during traditional office opening hours.

Click here to go to Europcar’s website.

Save 20% On Europcar Van Hire With This Discount Code [EXPIRED]

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Europcar van hire moving houseEuropcar is offering a 20% discount code for UK van hire for all bookings from July 1 to September 30 2013. 

The discount is aimed at parents transporting students to and from university with their belongings, but is open to all van rental customers.

Discount Code: 51502816
Validity: 01/07/2013 – 30/09/2013

** THIS OFFER HAS NOW EXPIRED **

To receive the discount, enter the code when prompted on Europcar’s home page.

Discussing the promotion, Ken McCall, Managing Director of Europcar UK Group said:

“When looking forward to children coming back from university, it’s often only at the last minute that parents remember they need to bring back a year’s worth of accumulated clothes, books, furniture and equipment too” says Ken McCall, Managing Director, Europcar UK Group.  “This presents the challenge of having to fit everything in the family car – or making several trips.

Rather than driving across the country several times, we recommend parents opt for van hire so that they can get the whole job done in one go.  And, although driving a van might be viewed by some as a daunting prospect, with the right guidance it is actually a lot safer than driving an overloaded car.  That’s why we’ve compiled our van driving tips – to help Mum and Dad plan for the return from University.”

Europcar has 130 van hire locations across the UK and offers a broad selection of vans, from small Vauxhall Combo-type vans to luton box vans with tail lifts. The minimum age for van hire is 22 and all Europcar vans are fully maintained to manufacturer specifications and covered by 24 hour breakdown for added peace of mind. Plus, to reduce the stress even further, Europcar can deliver vans to home addresses through its freeDeliver delivery and collection service.

If you haven’t driven a van before, don’t worry — it’s not as hard as it might seem, and we’ve produced an expert set of tips for first-time van drivers that should answer all of your questions.

Van Registrations Up 11.2% So Far This Year

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SMMT van registration figures H1 2012-13

SMMT van registration figures H1 2012-13

Van registrations in the first half of 2013 rose by 11.2% compared to the same period in 2012, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The rise in van registrations outweighed a 10.4% year-on-year decline in truck registrations, as vans are sold in much higher volumes than trucks.

As a result, UK commercial vehicle registrations rose by 7.6% during the first half of this year, compared to the same period in 2012:

UK van and truck registrations: 2013 and % change on 2012

June % change Year-to-date % change Rolling year % change
Vans 23,041 3.4% 133,177 11.2% 253,032 2.6%
Trucks 3,995 11.7% 21,320 -10.4% 43,226 -9.7%
Total 27,036 4.5% 154,497 7.6% 296,258 0.6%

Figures courtesy of SMMT (www.smmt.co.uk)

By far the biggest volume gains in the van market were in the 2.0t-2.5t category, where new registrations rose by 22.9% from 16,058 during the first half of last year to 19.728 for the same period this year. Vans such as the Citroen Berlingo, Ford Transit Connect and Volkswagen Caddy fit into this weight bracket, highlighting how smaller vans are gaining popularity over larger models.

The pick-up market has also seen strong growth this year, with new registrations rising by 36.1% from 11,101 to 15,105, but despite this, large vans (2.5t – 3.5t) remain the biggest sellers in the UK. Registrations of full-sized vans like the Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter rose by 6.7% to 73,387 during the first six months of 2013.

Commenting on the figures, Nigel Base, the SMMT’s Commercial Vehicle Manager, said:

“The overall CV market rose 7.6% in the first half of 2013 with strong van registrations (up 11.2%) outweighing the uncertain truck market (down 10.4%). Looking ahead to the rest of 2013, we expect the van market to remain stable with a return to a more normal replacement cycle sustaining the market. For trucks, growth in June could be the first sign of a Q3/Q4 recovery as buyers pick from late Euro 5 or new Euro 6 models ahead of new Euro-standard legislation hitting from 2014.”

Van registrations fell quite heavily in 2012, and despite this year’s growth, new registrations are only slightly higher than they were at this point in 2011, which has contributed to the sustained high used van values we have seen over the last year. If Mr Base is right and fleet replacement cycles do return to normal, the used van market could get a much-needed influx of decent quality 2 – 4 year old vans, that may help reduce price pressure on used vans somewhat — good news for used van buyers, if not for dealers.

3,807 Miles In A Mercedes-Benz Citan: 6 Tanks of Diesel & 14 Takeaways

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Mercedes-Benz Citan at Mercedes Brentford

The Mercedes-Benz Citan at Mercedes’ Brentford dealership.

A Mercedes-Benz Citan and two drivers have completed a mission to visit every Mercedes-Benz dealer in the UK. The 3,807 miles journey took nine days and included locations from Aberdeen to  Truro.

Given that Mercedes’ commercial vehicle dealer network includes 98 locations in the UK, it was quite a trip. Amongst the locations visited were Brentford, Norwich, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent, Warrington and York, as well as the two most far flung dealerships in Aberdeen and Truro.

Many of Mercedes’ commercial dealers are open 24 hours a day, to allow out of hours servicing and repairs, and to demonstrate that good service never sleeps, a staff member at each dealer signed the bonnet of the Citan as it made its way around the UK.

Although the Citan managed to complete the trip using a modest six tanks of diesel, its occupants had larger appetites and consumed eight packets of biscuits,14 takeaways, 16 sandwiches, 18 cups of coffee and 21 bottles of water along the way…

The new Mercedes Citan, which is now available to order, recently won the HonestJohn.co.uk Most Popular Van Award.

Ford Transit Custom Bags Another Award

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Ford Transit Custom

The Ford Transit Custom added another trophy to its collection last night by winning the inaugural Auto Express Van of the Year award.

The multi-award winning and generally awesome Ford Transit Custom has added another award to its bulging collection, laying claim to the inaugural Auto Express Van of the Year Award.

Auto Express has recently decided to add van coverage to its weekly magazine, and marked the decision by adding a van category to its annual awards. Ford took four honours in total at the 2013 Auto Express awards, but here’s what Steve Fowler, Auto Express editor-in-chief, had to say about the Transit Custom:

“Ford has listened to the needs of van drivers and produced a vehicle that delivers in every sense of the word. It has the load-carrying ability you’d expect, with features you wouldn’t and it’ll keep running costs low, too. Up front, drivers have never had it so good, with great handling, comfort and the very latest tech.”

I’m starting to see more and more Transit Customs on the road and cannot wait to get behind the wheel of one myself. Even more interesting will be the launch of Ford’s new two-tonne Transit model in 2014, which will go head-to-head with the class-leading large van, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

For any car lovers amongst you, Ford’s other three awards were Best Supermini for the Ford Fiesta, Best Hot Hatch for the Fiesta ST, and Best Five-Seat MPV for the Ford B-Max — the same trophy Ford won last year for the C-Max.