FAQ
What you need to know
The Vans & Where They Come From
What makes these vans different from the ones I see at my local used car lots?
It all comes down to the sourcing. Our partner dealer hand-selects premium, high-quality commercial vans before they ever hit the public market. Any vans that don’t meet their strict quality standards are rejected and sent away to public auctions. Many of the cargo vans you find sitting on local, generic used car lots are sourced directly from those auctions, which means they are often the exact vehicles our partner dealer rejected.
What specific makes and models do you usually have access to?
Our partner’s inventory constantly cycles as new arrivals come in, but it heavily features the exact platforms builders look for: Ram ProMasters, Ford Transits, Mercedes-Benz Sprinters, and Chevy Express vans. If you have a specific roof height, wheelbase, or powertrain in mind, filling out the request lets our partner match you with what fits your layout.
Are prices competitive?
Yes. One of the main reasons we partnered with this dealer is that they offer some of the most competitive prices on pre-owned vans that we have seen. After exhaustive searching and negotiating with dealers and car lots on my own van purchase, they had the best pricing I found.
How do I know that the vehicle condition is valid?
The entire reason we created MyVanPlanner is to provide buyers with the most upfront, transparent buying process possible. Buying a pre-owned vehicle normally comes with a lot of unknowns, so we work to take as many of them out of the equation as we can. You can ask as many questions as you want, look at and discuss the official vehicle history report, and secure an independent inspection.
Keeping Things Safe & Real
Is buying a vehicle online risky?
Not with this process. You can always go physically see and test drive the vehicle yourself if you want to. Buying from a qualified, upfront dealer that specializes strictly in cargo vans is a great starting point. To make it seamless, the dealer will do live video walkthroughs with you for whatever vehicles you want to consider, and the independent vehicle inspection gives you ultimate peace of mind.
Is safety equipment provided?
Yes, all necessary safety gear—such as helmets, harnesses, life jackets, and paddles—is included. Our equipment is regularly inspected and meets all safety standards. Your guide will ensure everything fits properly before the activity begins.
Do you actually own these vans, or are you a broker?
Neither! We aren’t a dealership, and we aren’t a middleman broker trying to slide a hidden fee into your vehicle purchase. We are a community platform. Our job is simply to help you find these high-quality, pre-owned vans and ensure you get straightforward, transparent assistance from start to finish. You deal and buy directly straight from our commercial dealership partner. We are just here to help guide you through the process, eliminate the typical dealership games, and help you get a rock-solid foundation for your build.
Can I pull my own history report, or do you provide one?
Our partner dealer believes in total transparency and makes their official vehicle history reports available to buyers right away. While they typically utilize their own commercial vehicle history reporting system rather than CARFAX, you are always welcome and encouraged to pull your own independent history report using whatever system you prefer. We make sure you see all the available data on the vehicle’s history and maintenance records before making any decisions.
How the Inspections Work
Does the dealer inspect the vehicles first?
Yes. Our partner dealer completes their own thorough, multi-point inspection on every single vehicle before it is ever listed. While you are completely free to rely on their internal inspection, many of our buyers prefer to get an independent, third-party look for ultimate peace of mind. We believe in absolute certainty when it comes to your build, so we help make that independent process incredibly easy.
How does the independent vehicle inspection work, and who does it?
We have partnered with a trusted local, mom-and-pop mechanic shop. They have absolutely no “skin in the game” with the dealership; they work directly for you to provide a completely unbiased, transparent inspection of the vehicle’s mechanical health.
What happens if the independent mechanic finds a major problem during inspection?
Then the system worked exactly the way it was supposed to. If our partner mechanic finds an issue that makes the van unsafe or a bad investment for a custom build, you can walk away with zero penalty, or use that completely unbiased report to request that the dealer fix the issue before you finalize the purchase. You are in total control.
How much does the independent inspection cost?
We have secured a flat-fee cost with our partner mechanic that is significantly cheaper than the national average, and we pass those exact savings directly along to you. You are always welcome to hire your own independent inspection mechanic if you prefer! We just offer this option to make the process as simple as possible.
Money, Shipping, & The Van Builder Discount
What commitments am I making by filling out the form?
Zero. At no point do you need to spend any money before you decide to purchase a van. It is completely low-pressure, zero-commitment, and really just a simple way for you to get connected with a massive inventory of options.
How does the pricing and the exclusive van builder discount work?
The dealer uses a completely straightforward pricing model with a transparent fee, alongside standard adjustments like financing or trade-in incentives that might apply to your deal. On top of that, we have specifically negotiated an exclusive van builder discount that you will get access to. You will receive this discount code shortly after completing our intake form, and you can apply it directly to your vehicle purchase with the dealer.
What are my financing options?
You can pay however you want. If you want the dealer to explore financing options for you, they absolutely will. They even offer additional, exclusive discounts if you choose to use them for financing, but you are under no obligation to do so. You can bring your own financing or pay cash.
How much will shipping cost?
Shipping costs are calculated based on your physical location. The final transport fee can be wrapped directly into your sales agreement so everything is handled in one single, transparent transaction.
If I fill out the form, am I going to get hounded by a pushy used car salesman?
No way. We hate that old-school dealership vibe as much as you do. Our partner dealer understands that van builders are on a unique timeline and need the right platform, not a rushed sales pitch. They will reach out to show you the inventory that matches your specific layout, answer your technical questions, and step back until you’re ready.
Can I trade in my current passenger car toward one of these cargo vans?
Yes! Because you are dealing directly with a fully established, top-tier commercial dealership, they can evaluate and accept traditional vehicle trade-ins just like any standard auto purchase. It’s a great way to transition from your daily driver into your new build platform seamlessly.
Extra Benefits For Van Builders
What other discounts or benefits can MyVanPlanner help me with?
Finding the right van is just step one. We are actively working to partner with premium component manufacturers, electrical layout specialists, and build material suppliers to secure exclusive, builder-only pricing on the gear that actually goes inside your van. Our goal is to help you save chunks of change across your entire build journey, not just on the driveway platform.
What if I already have a van? Can I still get access to your builder discounts?
Yes, absolutely! Just fill out the form, select the option indicating that you already own your build vehicle, and let us know that you are strictly interested in unlocking component and gear discounts for your ongoing project.
What happens after I buy a van?
First, we will give you a big high five. Then, based on your specific build plans, we will check in periodically if we find any other clever ways to help you save cash on your build process. We are completely anti-spam, meaning if we are not actively being helpful, we fail. At any point, you can simply opt out of any future communication from us with a single click.