The Official Checklist for Buying Used Van for Van Life Adventures

So you think you’ve found the used van you’re going to live out your #VanLife dreams in. Great. You’ve read our blog post “Buying New vs. Used Vans” (LINK) and have chosen that used is the only realistic option for you. Great.

Now let’s make sure you have all of your ducks lined up and your T’s crossed or something before handing over any of your hard cash.

• Always assume it was worked hard. When buying a used van, especially a former cargo or work rig, assume it hauled heavy loads, towed often, and saw rough driving—even if the mileage looks low.
• Get an independent mechanic inspection. Before you hand over cash, have a trusted mechanic go through the van; they’ll spot hidden issues like powertrain damage, worn suspension, or leaks that you won’t catch on a quick test drive.
• Check for suspension and tire problems. Push down on each corner to see if it rebounds smoothly, listen for squeaks or clunks, and look for uneven tire wear that can signal bad shocks or poor alignment.
• Inspect for rust and body damage. Visible rust on the body usually means more rust underneath; dents and scratches are fine if you’re okay with them, but exposed bare metal can turn into serious rust later.
• Watch for signs of heavy towing or overloading. Ask about towing history and look for warped floors, bent interior walls, or stressed components that suggest the van was pushed past its limits.
• Use your nose as well as your eyes. Strange or chemical smells can hint at what the van used to haul—some cargo (like industrial or toxic materials) can leave behind odors and residue that are hard to fully remove.
• Don’t rush the decision. When buying a used van for van life, take your time with the inspection and history questions; walking away from a sketchy rig is cheaper than fixing a hidden problem after you buy.

First things first: When you buy a used cargo van, you have to see you’re buying a rig that was maybe worked out of – hard. We’re talking rode hard and put away wet. You know what we mean. We’ve had vans come in with the floors smashed out, bent walls and warped parts, even though they have 30,000 miles on them and are two years old.

You often (note: unless you buy from a friend) have no idea where and how that van was used. Story time: We had a van come that smelled kind of bizarre. We scrubbed it down and soaped up what we could, but there was still this smell that had sunk into the soul of the van.

The new owner reached out to the previous, just to find that their Transit had once been used to transport toxic stuff from a fracking site. Gross.

You also never know how hard they loaded the van. Did they do some serious towing with it? Use like this can cause hidden damage to the powertrain (AAA), a big and costly part.

We all know how we drive rentals, and the same mindset applies to these work vehicles. Use the chart below to check any used van before you even think about buying.

What to Know Before Buying Used Van for Van Life

Get a professional mechanic to look at it 

Bonus points if they’re your friend and will give it a serious rub down. This is the most key step you can take. Since they don’t have any skin in the game, they have no reason to hold back any bad news.

It’s nothing to them if you don’t buy it, and not to knock your online knowledge, but they know what they’re doing. Or, if they end up saving you from buying a lemon, you might come back to them as a customer the next time you get some work done.

Suspension

A simple test of the suspension can be done by pressing down hard on one corner and seeing how quickly it bounces back. It will return to its first spot quickly and smoothly if the shock absorbers are in good shape – no messing around. Listen for squeaks, creaks, and cracks – all of those signs are bad news and costly to fix.

Ensure the tires are the correct ones for the van and that the wear is even across the front and rear treads. Uneven wear is also a tell-tale sign of bad shocks or bad tracking.

How’s the outside look?

Be wary of rust. If you can see rust on the body, there’s probably way more rust underneath.

Dents and scratches are okay as long as you’re okay with them, but make sure the gouges don’t have any bare metal that could leave to future rusting. Hidden Story: How Your Used Cargo Van Was Really Worked

Leaks

To state the obvious, leaks are never a good thing. Even more so if it’s oil or transmission fluid. They can point to much bigger, much more costly problems.

Check the doors, windows, locks, lights, heating and air conditioner

Paperwork is another plain but key part of buying used van. Ask to see service records, not just a clean Carfax (Consumer Reports). Oil changes, transmission work, brake jobs, and recalls should all be documented. Gaps in service history don’t automatically mean the van is trash, but they should make you ask more questions.

Compare the mileage on the dash to what’s listed on old service receipts and check reports. If the numbers don’t line up, walk away. While you’re at it, check the title status. Salvage, rebuilt, or flood titles can hide a lot of ugly (Kelley Blue Book) under a shiny paint job. Unless you’re very seasoned and getting a screaming deal, those are most often not worth the risk for a future camper build.

Next, take your time with the test drive. Don’t just loop the block with the radio cranked. Start the van cold if you can – that’s when weird noises and hard starts show up. Listen for ticking, knocking, or whining from the engine and gearbox.

Find a rough road and pay close eye to clunks, rattles, or wandering in the steering. On the highway, the van should track straight without constant fixes, and it shouldn’t feel like you’re fighting crosswinds more than you’d expect from a big box on wheels. Test the brakes with a few firm stops from other speeds; if the pedal feels spongy, pulls to one side, or you get shakes, budget for brake work.

When you’re buying used van for a long-term build, you want to know clearly what you’re getting into before you start bolting cupboards to the walls.

Finally, think about how the van’s past life lines up with your future plans. A low-roof city work van that spent its days hopping curbs might not be the best fit for a full-time off-grid rig. On the flip side, a highway-used van with higher miles but steady care can be a solid, plain reliable base. Boring is good when your house is on wheels.

Look at the roof for signs of previous racks or gear. Check the floor for extra holes from shelving, and inspect the frame rails for impacts from loading docks or off-road use. The more you can piece the story of the van’s working years, the better your chances of ending up with a solid platform. That solid base will handle thousands of miles of trips after buying used van and turning it into a build.

Just do it. Open the doors from both sides. Make sure no weird smells come out of the air vents, which often shows other issues.

Get the CarFax

Why a Pre-Purchase Inspection Is Non‑Negotiable When Buying Used Van

You’ll be able to decide on your own whether or not its history is good to go. 

Ask the previous owner what it was used for

Ready to move from researching to building your dream rig? If you’ve found the right used van and want a pro-built, road-ready conversion, explore our services or contact us to get a quote.

At times a simple “Anything I should know?” is enough to start the talk on the van’s previous life. You can ask point blank what kind of work the van was used for. It’s up to them to be honest though.

Tires

U.S. law says you need at least 2/32-inch tread; but you’re going to want more than that if you plan on taking your van anywhere fun. Know if you can work new tires into the deal or if the ones on there will work.

Take her for a ride

Suspension, Tires, and Leaks: Key Mechanical Checks on a Used Van

Is the steering tight or leave room for a lot of play? Does it make a funny noise when you speed up or brake? Do any lights flicker on the dash, showing key warning signs?

Make sure you like the way it drives as well. If you let go of the steering wheel, does the rig stay straight?

Listen to your gut

If anything doesn’t feel right, or if you feel like you’re giving up too much – walk away. That noise you think you hear is likely a real concern and not worth the risk. Make sure you always meet in a busy place and bring a friend for safety and backup views.

We’d love to hear about your own van-buying story in the comments below. Any other tips or tricks you’d suggest?

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying a used van for van life?

Start by assuming the van was worked hard as a commercial vehicle, even if the mileage looks low. Have a mechanic inspect it, check for suspension issues, uneven tire wear, leaks, rust, and signs of heavy towing or overloading that could have stressed the powertrain.

Why is it important to get a mechanic inspection before buying a used van?

A professional mechanic doesn’t have any emotional or financial stake in your purchase, so they’ll be honest about problems. They can spot hidden issues—like powertrain damage, worn suspension, or leaks—that you’re likely to miss on a quick test drive.

How can I tell if the suspension on a used van is in good shape?

Press down hard on one corner of the van and watch how it rebounds; it should return quickly and smoothly to its original position. Listen for squeaks or creaks and check for uneven tire wear, which can point to bad shocks or poor tracking.

What kind of exterior problems are red flags when buying a used van?

Visible rust on the body is a big warning sign, because it usually means there’s more rust hidden underneath. Dents and scratches are mostly cosmetic, but exposed bare metal can turn into future rust issues if it’s not addressed.

How do I know if a used cargo van has been abused or used for heavy work?

Look for signs like smashed or heavily worn floors, bent interior walls, warped parts, and strong or strange odors that might hint at what it used to haul. Ask about towing history and pay attention to any leaks or drivetrain issues, since hard use and heavy loads can quietly damage the powertrain.