How much more life has this second hand van got in it?

[JonnyBoy12]

I am about to buy a white van from a friend of a friend, which is a bargain, so I am told. It is a 2006 Ford Fiesta van with 1400 diesel engine and 103,000 miles on the clock. I have a few questions about this which I would like to ask the kind people here on the Answerbank:

How long before I have to change the engine in it for a reconditioned one?

How many miles to the gallon can I expect to get from it, and yes I am a careful driver?

What is the maximum payload I can get in it?

What is it's maximum speed?

Where can I get the cheapest insurance for it for courier work?


Thanks in advance for all your speedy and kind replies.

JB12

[Buenchico]

Any reasonably modern diesel engine should last at least a quarter of a million miles.

I'd expect to get 60mpg from a 1400cc diesel engine, unless you're going to have really heavy loads in it.

Unless you're likely to be carrying gold ingots, you probably don't need to worry too much about the payload. (The general rule for a Fiesta is "if it will physically fit into the van, then it's not too heavy for it").

You'll have no problem driving up to maximum speed limit with a diesel Fiesta. (Because it's 'car derived' you'll be subject to the same speed limits as when driving a car. If you'd have gone for something like a Transit, lower speed limits would have applied on some roads).

There's no such thing as cheap courier insurance but this is one of the best-known places to try:
http://www.gladiator.co.uk/

Chris

[JonnyBoy12]

Thanks for the advice, Chris, that has been most helpful. I have just been told what loads I will be carrying.........neutron stars! Do you think that the van will be strong enough to carry those?

Seriously though, I will just be carrying normal stuff!