How do I check if a mobile detailing van setup is worth taking over?

Walk through the van with the seller and run every system. Fill the tank, start the generator or power unit, use the pressure washer, the vacuum and the polisher, and listen for strain. Look at the shelving, hoses, fittings and any custom wrapping. A setup that looks tidy can hide worn pumps or a tired engine, so ask who services each part.

Then check the paperwork. Ask whether the van is owned outright or financed, whether any lien is registered against it, and who is insured to drive it. Your lawyer can search for liens and your insurer can advise on cover for a vehicle used as a workplace.

Last, set the equipment against the work it produces. Ask for job logs showing how many bookings fit in a day and how far the van travels between them. If the gear is excellent but the route is long, the real constraint may be the schedule, not the equipment. Ask about consumables too. Water access, waste handling and the supplies stocked on board all affect how smoothly a day runs, so ask where they come from and what they cost. A van that depends on one friendly customer’s tap or yard is carrying a risk that does not show on any inspection report.

Key takeaways

• Run every system yourself: tank, power, pressure washer and vacuum.
• Confirm ownership, liens and insurance of the van before you proceed.
• Compare equipment condition with the real number of jobs per day.