Used Minibus for Sale

Used Minibuses For Sale

Van Monster has a fantastic selection of used minibuses for sale, all sourced from trusted manufacturers and prepared to the highest standard by our team of experts. Our used minibuses are a great fit for schools, care providers, community groups, taxi firms, sports clubs and even private buyers who simply need extra seats to fit the whole family. With strong engines, comfortable cabins and plenty of room for passengers and luggage, a used minibus offers the kind of practicality that a standard used car or used van just cannot match.

Every used minibus for sale here at Van Monster has been carefully inspected before it reaches the forecourt, so every customer can buy with total confidence that their chosen minibus is as ready to go as they are.

Browse our current stock online or why not pop into your nearest branch to take a closer look in person?

What is a Minibus?

A minibus is a passenger vehicle designed to carry more people than a standard car but fewer than a full-size bus. Most minibuses seat between 9 and 17 passengers, including the driver, and are built on a light commercial vehicle chassis with extra windows, additional rows of seating, and side or rear access doors making it easy to enter and exit.

How do Minibuses differ from other vehicles?

Minibuses share a chassis with many popular panel vans, but the body is configured around people rather than cargo. Instead of a large open load area, the cabin is fitted with rows of forward-facing seats, individual seatbelts and headrests for every passenger. Full glazing runs along the sides to give a bright, open feel and clear views out, while a proper, passenger-friendly interior trim covers the floors, walls and ceiling for added comfort. Most minibuses also feature wide sliding side doors, low step heights and overhead lighting, making them far easier to board and far more comfortable to travel in than many other vehicles.

What licence do I need to drive a Minibus?

In the UK, the driving licence you need depends on the size of the minibus and how you intend to use it. If you passed your car test after the 1st of January 1997, your standard Category B licence allows you to drive a minibus with up to 8 passenger seats.

To drive a minibus with 9 to 16 passenger seats, you will usually need a Category D1 licence. Drivers who passed their test before 1 January 1997 often have D1 entitlement included automatically on their licence, so it is worth checking your driving record on the DVLA website before you buy.

Benefits of used Minibuses

Used minibuses offer a level of passenger capacity that most other vehicles simply can’t hold. With seating for up to 17 people, a minibus lets you move far more passengers, such as an entire team or community group in a single journey. This helps to cut down on fuel costs, driving time and the number of vehicles you need to carry out a transport.

When compared with other specialist work vehicles, a minibus brings comfort, safety features and easy access into the equation. Their sliding side doors, low step heights, full seatbelts and large windows make travel, entry and exit pleasant for passengers of all ages and abilities.

Buying a used minibus can also result in real savings against the cost of a new model, with most of the early depreciation already absorbed by the previous owner. For schools, charities and small businesses with tight budgets, such as taxi firms, a quality used minibus is often the smartest way to add reliable, high-quality passenger transport to the fleet without overspending.

Best used Minibuses

Some of the most popular used minibuses on the UK market come from manufacturers with a long history of building dependable commercial vehicles.

The best used minibus for you depends entirely on how you plan to use it and the jobs it needs to be able to easily carry out. Key considerations that all play a part before purchase could be, the maximum number of passengers, average annual mileage, any specific accessibility needs, and the amount you’d be willing to spend.

When you purchase a used minibus with Van Monster, you’ll have the benefit of having our team of experts on hand who are always happy to help you weigh up the options.

Are used Minibuses reliable?

Used minibuses are generally very reliable, as long as they have been looked after properly by their previous owner/s. It’s also vital to purchase used minibuses from a trusted dealer, such as Van Monster, that takes care and attention to preparation seriously. At Van Monster, every used minibus for sale goes through a comprehensive multi-point inspection by our trained on-site technicians before being listed for purchase. Our experts assess the engine, gearbox, brakes, tyres, suspension, electrical systems, seatbelts, seats, bodywork and interior fittings, paying close attention to anything that affects passenger safety. Any issues are fixed or replaced before the vehicle is offered for sale. Service history is verified, and all used minibuses are fully valeted inside and out so you collect a vehicle that not only looks new, but is ready to carry passengers from day one.

Can I drive a Minibus for personal use?

Yes, a minibus can be used for personal purposes. The licence rules depend on the size of the minibus and when you passed your test. If your minibus has 8 passenger seats or fewer, your standard Category B licence covers personal use. However, for minibuses with 9 to 16 seats, drivers who passed after 1 January 1997 usually need to take a Category D1 test.

There is one helpful exception. Drivers aged 21 or over who have held a full Category B licence for at least 2 years can drive a minibus with up to 16 seats for non-commercial purposes under, what is known as, the Section 19 permit, or the "not for hire or reward" rules.

Always check the latest DVLA guidance to confirm the rules that apply to your situation.

Can Minibuses use bus lanes?

The answer depends on the local council and the signage of each individual bus lane. There is no blanket rule across the UK that allows minibuses to use bus lanes, and rules vary from one town or city to the next.

In most cases, bus lanes are reserved for licensed buses, taxis, cyclists and motorcycles, with minibuses only permitted if they are operating as a licensed local bus service. A privately used minibus carrying, for example, friends or family, is usually treated like any other vehicle and is not allowed to use the bus lane.

The best advice is always to check the sign at the start of the bus lane, which sets out exactly which vehicles can use it and at what times. Misusing a bus lane can lead to a Penalty Charge Notice, so it pays to read the signage carefully and stick to the standard traffic lanes if there is any doubt.

Buying a used Minibus with Van Monster

Buying a used minibus from Van Monster not only gives you the chance to drive away in a used vehicle that’s as good as new, but you can also take advantage of our Van Monster Difference. This provides each of our customers with...

• a 14-day (500 miles) no questions asked money back or vehicle swap guarantee
• a 6-month or 10,000-mile warranty*
• 6 months of breakdown and recovery cover

... all included as standard.

We have branches dotted across the UK, so finding your nearest Van Monster showroom is easy. Visit our find a branch page to locate your closest site, or get in touch with our amazing team online to chat through what you need and how we can help.

* Exclusions apply. All vehicles over 100,000 miles are covered for a period of 3 months or up to 5,000 miles, whichever comes first (the “Warranty Period”).