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Hi, I am currently looking for a used work van for a sort of delivery business. I am torn between the Toyota Hiace or the Mazda Bongo. The Toyota Hiace is a 2001 model with a petrol 2.0 engine and the owner says it is chain driven (i find this confusing as I thought earlier models are belt driven) and appears to be maintained quite well and in average condition. It has done 230,000kms and is being sold for 7500. The other option is a fresh import Mazda Bongo 2009 that has done 124000kms, has had its cambelt done and is slightly above average condition selling 8500. Which one is the better option reliability and resale value or trade in wise. Any help appreciated, Thank you

While the Toyota brand is always popular, being much newer and with approximately half the kilometers, in this instance the Mazda would be the safer and less high risk proposition. At 230,000km, the Hiace is becoming a well worn, high risk vehicle.
I have no cambelt listing for a 2.0 litre Hiace of this era and all the Hiace listings I have, even going back into the late '90s, have a chain, not a belt. However, once replaced, you don't need to worry about the belt for 100,000km or so, so although there's a cost to replacing a belt, I wouldn't let that be a deal-breaker.

Hi ABayliss, Thanks very much for the advice. That's what I thought too... Thanks