How to buy a van or car during your Working Holiday?

Whether in Australia, New Zealand, or Canada, many Working Holiday Visa decide to buy a van or car to get around while traveling. It's a great opportunity to choose your own stops, work or visit wherever you like, and enjoy true freedom at all times. But to prevent your purchase from turning into a disaster, a few precautions are necessary! Let's take a closer look at everything you need to consider when buying a van during your Working Holiday!

Who wouldn't dream of one day crossing Canada, Australia, or New Zealand from East to West, from North to South, whether by van or car, feeling as free as a bird? The first question that quickly arises once this dream is within reach is: should you choose a van or a car (or even a 4x4) ? Many RVers ask themselves this question. There's no easy answer, as it depends primarily on your travel style and budget. But if you plan to camp or stay mainly in hostels, a van isn't really necessary. On the other hand, the reason most travelers opt for this mode of transport is that it offers numerous advantages, including the ability to store much more gear and essentially make it your mobile home! This saves you on accommodation costs. While a van is more expensive to buy, for a group, such as a couple, the costs will quickly be recouped.

Things to check before buying a van during your Working Holiday

You don't need to be a mechanic to check most of the important points on your future car. In addition to asking for a complete list of work carried out (and therefore, if possible, the invoices) to get an idea of ​​the maintenance history, here's what should absolutely be on your checklist:

• General appearance: rearview mirrors, seat belts, headlights (all positions), tire wear (they should have the same wear across the entire tread, otherwise it may mean poor wheel alignment or worn shock absorbers), turn signals, interior lights, brake lights, position lights, dashboard lighting and also remember to lift the floor mats properly.
• The engine: When you open the hood, check the levels of various fluids, such as brake fluid and coolant, to assess the vehicle's maintenance. With the van running, don't hesitate to put your nose near the engine to check for any unusual odors.
• Van/car test: To test the engine, rev it through each gear. Don't forget to try reverse. Testing the vehicle also means, and most importantly, checking the brakes. First, test them normally, then apply a sharper application. A word of advice: after driving, check for any leaks under the vehicle.
• The windows: check them for tiny cracks so you don't have to replace the windshield two months later…
• Exhaust: check the color of the smoke; if it is white, it's best to move on, as this often carries bad news!
• The overall exterior condition: dents or paint chips may conceal a possible accident. Don't hesitate to ask your contact about this.
• The battery: has it been changed recently? If not, when was the last time?
• The odometer reading: don't panic if you see 300,000 kilometers or more. Most vans priced between $2,000 and $7,000-$8,000 have this kind of mileage. However, it's best to choose one with the lowest mileage, as it's less likely to break down in the middle of the Australian desert or the Canadian or New Zealand plains. Also, be sure to check that the odometer hasn't been tampered with. If the vehicle looks old and the odometer shows low mileage, it's highly likely that it has.
• Avoid bed bugs : beware of bed bugs too! Australia, New Zealand and Canada are affected by this scourge which can sometimes affect vans and cars and which is very difficult to get rid of.
• Consider choosing a van or car that is common in your working holiday visa destination country. This will make it easier to find spare parts!

Finally, please note that you can check the vehicle's history online in each country: 

In New Zealand, see the
Car History Report website; in Australia
and Canada, vehicle history reports are obtained from the ICBC.

Where to buy a vehicle in Australia, New Zealand and Canada?

On the internet, of course, whether on Facebook groups for RVers in each country or on specialized websites like Trade Me in New Zealand. In Australia: Carsales.com.au; Carsguide; Cars4backpackers. In Canada: Kijiji ; Craigslist; Autotrader; Driving.ca; Auto123

Then, you can go directly to the sales locations, such as the Kings Cross car market in Sydney, a must-see if you're in the area. There's also a car market in Cairns and another in Perth. In New Zealand, it's the same story, with car fairs held on weekends in parking lots, usually on Sunday mornings. You can also simply go to garages, while hostels and backpacker hostels are full of notice boards, often filled with classified ads for this type of car.

Tip: When is the best time to buy to get the best deals?

Regardless of your preferred destination for a Working Holiday Visa, the off-season is the best time to shop. Why? Many people at the end of their trip want to sell their belongings. Prices are therefore more likely to drop compared to peak season, when everyone is looking for the best deal. It's the age-old problem of supply and demand. This is typically between April and September in Australia, and the same in New Zealand, although the season extends a bit longer. In Canada, the winter months are where you'll find the best deals.