Can I claim my van as a business expense as a self-employed sole trader?

Yes — a van used for business can be claimed as a business expense. Unlike cars, vans are classified as 'plant and machinery' for tax purposes, which means they qualify for the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA), allowing you to deduct the full purchase price in the year of purchase. You can also claim running costs: fuel, insurance, servicing, MOT, repairs, road tax, and any finance interest if purchased on hire purchase. If the van is used exclusively for business, claim 100% of all costs. If you use it privately too (e.g. driving home, personal errands), you must disallow a proportion for private use. Alternatively, use HMRC's flat mileage rate (45p per mile for first 10,000 miles, 25p above) instead of claiming actual costs — but you cannot claim both methods for the same vehicle.

• Vans qualify for AIA — full purchase price deductible in year of purchase
• Running costs (fuel, insurance, MOT, repairs) also claimable
• If also used privately, must apportion costs — only business % is deductible
• Alternative: use 45p/25p mileage rate instead of actual costs
• Cannot use both mileage rate and actual costs for the same vehicle