Great deals on Japanese vans - used car buying guide

When you need to move lots of people and luggage, sometimes the only option is a large van. Don't despair though, because these Japanese vans are cheap as chips.

1 - Mitsubishi Delica (2007-present)

The Mitsubishi Delica was built on Mitsubishi Shogun running gear and will be great if you need to negotiate tricky terrain with your whole family on board. It seats seven or eight, depending on the model, and can have its seats removed in favour of an inflatable bed. It’s available with a choice of 2.5 and 2.8 diesel engines or a 3.0 V6, with prices from £2000.

It can also lend itself well to a camper conversion. It’s great because of its more compact exterior dimensions, but the high centre of gravity can make cornering at speed a scary prospect.

As with all of the cars here, get online and look for an owners’ club before you buy. This could save you a packet.

2 - Mazda Bongo (1999-2013)

The Bongo is a versatile MPV that lends itself well to camper conversions or can be used as an eight-seater, with the seats flattening to form a bed for two people. Prices vary from £1600 to £16k, according to condition and age, and care is needed when buying.

Deals that are too good to be true are just that. Watch out for well-worn cars, engine problems and potentially perilous camper conversions. The 2.0 16v models are great if you don’t want to carry or tow much, but the 2.5 V6 diesel has all the torque you need for hauling. The 2.5 V6 petrol is expensive to run and maintain, and avoid LPG conversions.

3 - Toyota Alphard (2008-2015)

Without a diesel version, a heavy MPV is always going to be expensive to run. However, this is Japan’s best-selling MPV for a reason. It is exceptionally reliable and there are many examples available, with either a 2.4 engine or a 3.0 V6. With prices spanning £6500 to £22,500, there’s likely to be one for you.

There are no major problems to report but, as always, look for evidence of neglect and keep a close eye out for dodgy campervan conversions.

The Alphard is also available with a hybrid drivetrain. This is worth considering to keep running costs down, especially if you’re planning mostly urban use.

4 - Nissan Elgrand (1997-present)

The Elgrand packs a lot of kit for a car priced between £3000 and £14,000. We found one on sale for just under £7500, with 67,000 miles, a three-month warranty, 12-month MOT, keyless entry, rear DVD player, leather seats, power doors, reversing camera and more.

The Elgrand definitely is grand for its spec list. With many parts shared with UK cars, plus Nissan reliability, the Elgrand should be easy to maintain. Check the four-wheel drive system for leaks, listen for clicking driveshafts, take a test drive and ask for a warranty. Choose from 2.5 and 3.5 V6 diesels or a 3.2 V6 petrol and two or four-wheel drive.