Hi Richard
Your link to the vehicle has disappeared!
Questions I would consider:
The purchase price is a significant investment and needs to be right for you to avoid making a costly mistake further down the line.
Is the Ticket price above the price A VW dealer would give the hire company for a trade in against a new Cali? use this to your advantage. (Otherwise it would be on a dealer forecourt)
Would a dealer want a relatively high mile vehicle on its books.? (Perceived high miles for a dealer forecourt)
In reality the mileage should not be an issue regarding mechanical wear and tear, as long as it’s been serviced as VW schedule and the balance of the factory 3 year warranty is still valid? Does the vehicle have an extended. 5 year warranty?
Remember that hire companies will have a good sales record with VW dealership somewhere, and are likely able to get significant discount and VAT rebate against vehicles used for its business, why was the vehicle not traded in with a dealer against a new replacement ?
The hire company will have a margin of profit built into the second hand sales price and are able to take some depreciation cost into account for tax purposes when disposing of an asset.
Vehicle sales are slow at mo. (Confirmed by dealer)
Use we buy any car to check out the current trade In value / speak to dealer regarding trade in price based on that specific vehicle / mileage etc. Remember to make any allowances in the we buy price for any damage / wear etc that you cannot describe on the website. (This will not be reflected in the we buy any car tinternet price and should be deducted appropriately from the sales price)
Is the hire company happy to Allow an independent vehicle inspection to be carried out by a reputable company whom are able to test for paint irregularities on the vehicle (potential panel repairs) as well as mechanical ?
VCDS check (same as above posts)
Considered the annual mileage you are likely to do and the effect this will have at the end of your ownership, if you do low miles that may balance the relatively high miles (perceived) for a 2017 van over say a three year period, conversely if your going to do high miles that would affect the resale of the van when you come to sell !
Being a 2017 model it will not have a service book, service book has been replaced by electronic records, you need to satisfy yourself that all services have been carried out via main dealer otherwise the remaining warranty may be an issue if a future claim is needed, any VW commercial dealer will be able to give you a print out of the service history on that vehicle (that’s what VW advise during their sales patter) this would be another reason why a dealer may not want to take the Cali in part Ex. If the history was incomplete or the service schedule has not been followed to the letter.
When is the next service due and what need to be done to meet your expectations ? (Cost)
Go look at the vehicle, look at everything critically with a view to cost / depreciation: general condition, damage / potential issues, wear and tear, minor scratches, cost of the rectification value (if any) parts and labour (Vw dealer again).
Negotiate hard
Make an informed decision based on the facts and the potential issues that may occur during you ownership vs the comfort of the remaining vw factory warranty (if still valid)
Ultimately no one here can give you a cover all, do your reasearch and be sceptical until proven otherwise by fact. (Assume worst case) and make an informed decision. There are plenty of Calis out there, make your purchase the right one for you.
Ask the hire company to rectify any issues via a VW dealer, no matter how small, (if they are important to you) get any agreement in writing and make the items subject to the sale.
Good luck with your reasearch and report back.