EasiHire Wigan — Customer Guide
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Everything You Need to Know Before Renting a Van in Wigan
Your complete, honest guide — from choosing the right size van to driving safely, loading properly, and getting on the road without stress.
📍Wigan, Greater Manchester✍The EasiHire Wigan Team
Whether it’s a house move, a tip run, a furniture collection, or a trade job — renting a van is one of those things that seems simple until you’re standing at the counter realising you’ve forgotten something. We’ve been helping Wigan customers hire vans for over 35 years, and in that time we’ve heard every question, solved every problem, and seen every mistake. This guide answers all of it — before you even pick up the phone.
Part One
Which Van Do You Actually Need?
This is the question we’re asked more than any other, and getting it wrong costs you — either in multiple trips, or in paying for more van than the job needs. Here’s how we break it down at EasiHire Wigan:
🚐
Best For
Small Van — VW Caddy / Peugeot Partner
From £30/day
Tip runs, IKEA collection, single-room moves, tradespeople carrying light tools. Easy to park, drives like a car. Perfect if you’re moving into or out of a flat.
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Best For
Medium Van — VW Transporter SWB/MWB
From £37.86/day
The tradesperson’s favourite. Three front seats, excellent load space, easy to drive. Great for moving a bedroom, collecting appliances, or a full day of deliveries.
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Best For
Large Van — VW Crafter LWB
From £47.14/day
Moving a full 2–3 bed house? This is your van. Over 4 metres of load length, plenty of height, and enough capacity to clear most homes in a single trip.
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Best For
Luton Van + Tail Lift
From £64.29/day
The undisputed king of house moves. Maximum load space and a hydraulic tail lift that takes the back-breaking work out of heavy furniture, washing machines, and fridges.
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Best For
Electric Van — KIA PV5
From £42.86/day
Zero emissions, fully automatic, 250-mile range. Ideal for businesses cutting their carbon footprint, clean air zone deliveries, or anyone who wants a quiet, modern driving experience.
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Best For
9-Seat Minibus — Renault
From £57.14/day
Moving a group? Airport transfers, team events, family days out, or sports trips. Our minibus fits 9 passengers comfortably and is fully insured for group travel.
Our Honest Advice on Van Size
When in doubt, go one size up. The difference in daily rate between a medium and large van is small — but the cost of doing two trips, or arriving with a van too small, is much bigger. If you’re moving a 2-bed house, go straight to the Luton. Call us on 01942 778899 and we’ll tell you exactly what we’d recommend for your job.
EasiHire Wigan — 44 Queen Street, WN3 4HX · Town centre location, close to both Wigan railway stations. Open 7 days a week.
Part Two
What Documents Do You Need to Bring?
This is where first-time hirers often trip up. Turn up without the right documents and we can’t hand over the keys — no matter how urgently you need the van. Here’s exactly what you need:
📋 Your Document Checklist — Don’t Leave Home Without These
- Valid photo driving licence — UK or EU. Must be current and undamaged. If your licence is the old paper type only (no photo card), contact us in advance.
- Licence check code — dated within 21 days and not previously used. You can get this at Gov.uk/check-driving-information. Our Wigan team can help you get it at the branch if you bring your National Insurance number.
- 2 separate proofs of address — dated within the last 3 months. Utility bill, bank statement, or HMRC letter all work. Mobile phone bills are not accepted.
- Credit or debit card — in your name, for the hire payment and deposit. We cannot accept cash or borrowed cards.
- You must be aged 25–75 — and have held a full licence for at least 2 years. Younger drivers (23–24) may be considered — contact us before arriving.
⚠️ International licence holders: EU, USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand licences are accepted — no licence check required. For all other countries, contact us at least 24 hours before your hire so we can check with our insurance provider.
Our KIA PV5 electric van — 250-mile range, fully automatic, zero emissions. One of the only electric vans available for hire in Wigan.
Part Three
First Time Driving a Van? Read This First.
Every year we hand keys to customers who’ve never driven a van before. It can feel daunting — but it really doesn’t need to be. Here’s what our team always tells first-timers at the Wigan branch:
1
Adjust your mirrors before you move an inch
You have no rear window view — your wing mirrors are everything. Take two minutes before you set off to adjust both sides so you can see all the way down the van’s body and beyond. Our team will help you with this before you leave.
2
You’re taller than you think
Most vans exceed 2 metres in height. Multi-storey car parks, drive-throughs, low bridges, and some petrol station canopies can all catch you out. Plan your route and know your height — we’ll tell you the exact dimensions before you leave.
3
Brake gently — especially when loaded
Van brakes are engineered for a full load. When the van is empty, they can feel sharp and responsive. When loaded, stopping distance increases. Keep a bigger gap than you normally would, especially on the M6 or A49.
4
Take corners wider than a car
The rear of the van tracks inside the turning circle of the front. If you take a tight left turn the way you would in a car, the rear of the van may clip the kerb or another vehicle. Swing wider and you’ll be fine.
5
Know your speed limits
Vans under 7.5 tonnes (all ours) follow standard car speed limits. There’s no special restriction — but remember that a heavier load affects stopping distance, so motorway driving warrants extra caution.
Don’t Rush — We’ll Walk You Through Everything
At EasiHire Wigan, we never just throw you the keys. Our team will show you the lights, wipers, fuel cap, and any quirks of your specific van before you drive away. First-time hirers: please allow an extra 10 minutes at collection. It’s time well spent.
Page 2 — Your Questions, Answered
The 20 questions our Wigan customers ask most — answered honestly by our team
Luton van with tail lift — our most popular vehicle for house moves across Wigan, Leigh, Atherton, and the surrounding area. The tail lift does the heavy lifting for you.
Part Four
The 20 Questions Wigan Customers Ask Us Most
These are real questions asked by real customers at our Queen Street depot — answered by the people who know our fleet, our policies, and Wigan’s roads.
How long does the check-in process take at Wigan?+
If it’s your first time with us, allow 10 to 20 minutes from walking in to driving away. We’ll check your documents, go through the rental agreement, inspect the van with you, show you all the controls, and answer any questions. If you’ve hired from us before, it’s often as quick as 5 minutes. We’ll never rush you out the door.
Can I get a van the same day I call? Yes you can
What happens if the van breaks down while I have it? Breakdown cover is included in hire price
What if I scratch or damage the van? this will be checked on return and charged as necessary.
Do I need to fill the van up with fuel before I return it? All vehicles shoudl return as the go out (Like for Like)
Can I take the van outside the UK — to Europe? We allow travel to Ireland, Belgium, Holland, and Northern France but this has to be ratified by insurance and is on 7 days hire plus only
Can I add an additional driver to my hire? Yes (additional costs apply)
What if I need the van for longer than I booked? Call to extend
Can I leave my own car at the Wigan depot while I’m out in the van? Call to ask on space first
Is there a minimum rental period? 1 day minimum hire
Do you offer long-term van hire or monthly rates? Yes call for
How do I use the tail lift on the Luton van? You will be shown this on collection
What’s the best van for a house move in Wigan? Luton Box Van
Do I need a special licence to drive a Luton van? No normal licence is okay
Can I pick up from Wigan and drop off at a different branch? Yes additional charges apply
What are your opening hours — including Sundays? Monday – Friday 8am -6pm , Saturday 8am-2pm, Sunday 9am-12pm. Bank Holiday Mondays 9am-12pm
Is the electric van (KIA PV5) suitable for motorway driving? Yes it has a range of 250 miles
Can I use the van for a business delivery or trade job? Yes but we don’t cover couriers
How do I load the van properly so nothing gets damaged? Just do things slowly
VW Transporter — the tradesperson’s favourite. Available from £37.86/day.
Part Five
How to Book Your Van — Step by Step
Booking with EasiHire Wigan is straightforward. Here’s exactly what happens from your first enquiry to driving away:
1
Check availability — online, phone, or WhatsApp
Use our online booking system at easihire.co.uk, call us on 01942 778899, or WhatsApp 07446 855379. Tell us your dates, what you’re moving, and where to, and we’ll confirm which van is right and whether it’s available.
2
Get your documents ready
Use the checklist above. Get your licence check code from Gov.uk — it takes about 2 minutes. Gather your 2 proofs of address. Don’t leave this until the morning of your hire.
3
Arrive at 44 Queen Street, Wigan WN3 4HX
We’re in the town centre, easy to find, close to both railway stations and the bus interchange. First-timers: allow 20 minutes at the branch. Returning customers: often 5 minutes.
4
Vehicle walk-around and handover
We’ll inspect the van together, note any existing marks on our condition report, show you how everything works, confirm the fuel level, and agree a return time. Then you’re off.
5
Return the van on time, on fuel
Return to Queen Street at the agreed time, with the same fuel level as collection. We’ll do a joint walk-around on return, confirm everything is in order, and release your deposit — usually within 24 hours on credit card.
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Ready to check prices and availability? Visit our Van Hire Wigan page for our full fleet, pricing table, and online booking — or call 01942 778899 to speak to the Wigan team directly.
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Written by the EasiHire Wigan Team
44 Queen Street, Wigan WN3 4HX · 01942 778899 · wigan@easihire.co.uk · Serving Wigan for over 35 years
Ready to Book Your Van?
Call our friendly Wigan team, WhatsApp us, or book online in minutes. Same-day hire available. Open 7 days — including Sundays 9am–12pm.