Vans with recoverable VAT

Self-employed, a tradesperson or running a company? A van sold with recoverable VAT is often the right sum. The seller is a VAT-registered business that charges you VAT on the invoice. If you're VAT-registered yourself, you can deduct it in line with the vehicle's business use. The exact rules depend on your situation, so check with your accountant.

Look closely at whether the price shown excludes or includes VAT. Also check the vehicle's type approval on the registration certificate and certificate of conformity: a light commercial vehicle and a passenger car aren't treated the same way, for VAT or for taxes.

What to check before you buy

• Load volume and payload. Measure what you actually carry. Payload depends on the version.
• Usage history. A van works hard. Ask for the service book and invoices.
• The load area and floor. Dents, rust, torn-out fixings: cargo leaves marks.
• The Euro standard. For deliveries in Brussels, Antwerp or Ghent, it's decisive. In Brussels, diesels rated Euro 5 or older are banned from the LEZ.

Ask for a Car-Pass under two months old and check it with its QR code. If you can, take the test drive with a load on board. Buying from a business also gives you a legal warranty.