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Thread: Van purchasing advice

  1. #1
    Master
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    Van purchasing advice

    Looking to buy a van which i would like to turn into a day van/camper. As our budget is pretty low its going to be hard to find one in decent condition so any advice of where to look and what to look out for would be welcome. As this will not be used for work related tasks i imagine finding insurance might be a bit of a pain also. Ive just done a Go-compare search and you have to put down 'type of business it will be used for' so im guessing there might be complications.

    Anyone here own a van that is not used for work?

  2. #2
    Master
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    When you say not a massive budget, could you stretch to a Mazda Bongo? If you can live without the elevating roof, they are a lot cheaper.
    Trouble with buying cheap vans (or any second hand van) is that they will more than likely had a tough life before you get it.
    A bongo comes with all the creature comforts you could want and is a lot nicer to drive than an old Transit and the like.

  3. #3
    Can't comment on the insurance issue ,but I've had 2 Vauxhall vivaros ,currently in a new shape and I previously had the old shape,I don't think there's a better van around for value for money,if you take a look at the older ones you'll see that most are rust free ,I think they are galvanised,and there's plenty about


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  4. #4
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    Also, if you do go down the van route, avoid ex Post Office stuff (they're always knackered), courier vans and NEVER buy a gardener's or florist's van. They'll stink of grass cuttings and flowers for ever. Same applies for dog walking vans.

  5. #5
    As Dave said, Bongo is a good option. My brother has just bought a grey import from Japan and is having one of those self contained modules fitted in to the back. Think they remove the very back seats, spin around the second row and use the runners....simply slots in. Whole process takes around 2 hrs apparently.

  6. #6
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    I've got an old connect I use for rattling about in and dump it anywhere and it's been quite superb , the new sportvan is used as a family hack . There are some good vans but I stayed well clear of vivaros due to gearbox / drive shaft issues . The Mazda would be a good call

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Franky Four Fingers View Post
    As Dave said, Bongo is a good option. My brother has just bought a grey import from Japan and is having one of those self contained modules fitted in to the back. Think they remove the very back seats, spin around the second row and use the runners....simply slots in. Whole process takes around 2 hrs apparently.
    Change his coolant for him Dudley. The Jap stuff is rubbish and they can overheat otherwise. Learned that from experience!

  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by Dave O'Sullivan View Post
    Change his coolant for him Dudley. The Jap stuff is rubbish and they can overheat otherwise. Learned that from experience!
    Cheers, I'll let him know however he can do it himself, he's a ex agi engineer.

  9. #9
    Grand Master Dave+63's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by P ELLIS View Post
    I've got an old connect I use for rattling about in and dump it anywhere and it's been quite superb , the new sportvan is used as a family hack . There are some good vans but I stayed well clear of vivaros due to gearbox / drive shaft issues . The Mazda would be a good call
    I sold my Trafic at 180k miles and the only issue I had with the gearbox was replacing the cables at £150 IIRC. I never had a problem with drive shafts but had to have the lower wishbones replaced every couple of years!

    I didn't have the injector issue either.

  10. #10

    Van purchasing advice

    I've had a Bongo. The good points are that it is affordable, is a car like drive and had a great electronic lifting roof.

    The not so good were that mine was diesel and really slow. I think that they stopped using diesels at some point because Mazda couldn't achieve anymore emissions improvements. In terms of camping, it was great for one person, two or more it became very cramped unless it's just for sleeping or warm weather camping or you have a side tent and very little time is spent in the Bongo. The front driver and passenger seats do not swivel and the engine/transmission is a big lump between the seats so you can't easily get from front to back without getting out of the van. As I said great for one person, but with two, there's a lot of shuffling around of gear from the back in to the front to create a bit of space. If you are looking at camper conversions, there are some very ropey conversions. As delivered as a day-van it's pretty good, can be used as an everyday car/van and there's always camping modules and gear that you can take in and out.

    I now have a VW mainly because of space, powerful engine, swivel seats, quality of camper fittings, gas and electrical safety, and rock solid residuals, but in reality German gear is not as good as they think it is or would have us believe.

    I thought the Ford Transit Custom looked pretty nice with a comfortable driving position.


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    Last edited by BillyCasper; 23rd September 2017 at 09:56.

  11. #11
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    I have a Volkswagen T5 Transporter, used as my personal transport, easy to insure as it is converted to a day van, fully carpeted and insulated inside with 6 seats and windows.

    I am just about to put it up for sale to buy another VW Transporter.

    I will be putting it up on the SC in the next week, but if there are any interested parties now, please let me know.


  12. #12
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    Thanks for the info folks. Bongo's do look good value for money although most of them seem to be 2L petrol and i imagine with the weight the fuel economy could be pretty bad. Also if you do get a diesel variant then im a bit weary of what kind of penalising we could be getting from the government in the near future.

    Thats another reason why im thinking of getting a van as it will be classed as a commercial vehicle so hopefully will not be penalised as much!?!

    Quote Originally Posted by BillyCasper View Post
    I've had a Bongo. The good points are that it is affordable, is a car like drive and had a great electronic lifting roof.

    The not so good were that mine was diesel and really slow. I think that they stopped using diesels at some point because Mazda couldn't achieve anymore emissions improvements. In terms of camping, it was great for one person, two or more it became very cramped unless it's just for sleeping or warm weather camping or you have a side tent and very little time is spent in the Bongo. The front driver and passenger seats do not swivel and the engine/transmission is a big lump between the seats so you can't easily get from front to back without getting out of the van. As I said great for one person, but with two, there's a lot of shuffling around of gear from the back in to the front to create a bit of space. If you are looking at camper conversions, there are some very ropey conversions. As delivered as a day-van it's pretty good, can be used as an everyday car/van and there's always camping modules and gear that you can take in and out.

    I now have a VW mainly because of space, powerful engine, swivel seats, quality of camper fittings, gas and electrical safety, and rock solid residuals, but in reality German gear is not as good as they think it is or would have us believe.

    I thought the Ford Transit Custom looked pretty nice with a comfortable driving position.


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    Some nice info there. Interesting what you say about the VW. They certainly have it nailed with size/looks etc. I did get warned away from them by a mechanic i was talking to. He said they can be very troublesome and he talked from experience from owning 3 transporters and a couple of his mates had them.

    I really do like the look of the new transits. They do not look too big either and being ford hopefully cheaper parts.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Andrew S View Post
    I have a Volkswagen T5 Transporter, used as my personal transport, easy to insure as it is converted to a day van, fully carpeted and insulated inside with 6 seats and windows.

    I am just about to put it up for sale to buy another VW Transporter.

    I will be putting it up on the SC in the next week, but if there are any interested parties now, please let me know.

    When you say easy to insure as its converted to a day van, Does this mean its no longer classed as a commercial? If you dont mind me asking what do you pay for the insurance?

  14. #14
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    Pay £190 fully comp, that wasn't the cheapest as I have been with my broker for a few years and wanted to stay with them.

    That is with all the modifications declared, also as it has the windows it doesn't get charged as a van at tolls and the like. The 3 seats at the back are all quick release, so a huge amount of space in the back when you need it. I also have covers for all the windows inside so you could sleep in the back nicely.

    Had my van a few years and also have mates with them. None of us have had problems with them. Plenty of Transits breakdown on the road.

    Also being front wheel drive not too bad in the winter.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Andrew S View Post
    Pay £190 fully comp,
    That sounds very good. Who is that with? Im getting quotes of around £500 with van insurance :(

  16. #16
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    I use Roland Smith, but Admiral also do insurance.

  17. #17
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    A few years ago, Mrs Beanie had a Peugeot Expert van caged out for her (7) dogs. She had it insured via Adrian Flux because of similar issues re it being a commercial vehicle so maybe contact a few brokers. As we now only have 2 dogs (shortly to be one I fear), she now has a Vauxhall Corsa van which is insured with the company we use for our cars with no problems.

  18. #18
    Quote Originally Posted by sprite1275 View Post
    That sounds very good. Who is that with? Im getting quotes of around £500 with van insurance :(
    There are quite a few camper van insurance specialists, direct: Adrian Flux for example or via organisations like Bongo/California owners clubs or Camping and Caravan Club.

    Don't get me wrong, the VW is a lovely van, but take something like the factory built Caravelle or Beach (people carrier and day-van) or Ocean (full camper), they are staggeringly expensive and you would expect a level of perfection and German precision for the money that isn't quite there.

    Joining owners fora before buying is an interesting topic. Yes full of useful information, but all the complaints and niggles can terrify you and put you off ever considering a purchase. If you are looking for a van for work or camping or somewhere to sleep after walking, cycling, need space for bikes, gear whatever, just do it and enjoy it.

    The main gripes around the VW California Beach or Ocean or T5 predecessors are paint bubbling on the aluminium roof, and EGR valve failures on on a particular engine type where the bits wreck the cylinder bores. I look forward to both. So far mine has had a hydraulics failure with the lifting roof that was fixed under warranty. Still great fun.

  19. #19
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    Insure it as a camper not a van, once completed get it changed on the logbook/DVLA to a motorcaravan.
    My self converted T4 is insured with just Kampers, just over 200 quid a year, fully comp and agreed valuation of 10k.
    Quotes as a van for insurance (when I first bought it) were around the £700 mark.
    Just Kampers gave me 6 months to get it completed and registered as a motorcaravan from the start date of the insurance (this was a few years back now so may of changed).

  20. #20
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    I have just started converting a VW T6 Transporter panel van to a camper. I am on a specialist "conversion" policy which means I have 12 months to do the conversion. At that point I prove to the DVLA that it is a camper, and the insurance drops. Currently paying £350 a year.

    I looked at a range of vans before I went for a T6. Basically there appears to be a lot more specialists offering all sorts of bits to complete the conversion, compared to other van makes.

    Plenty of forums to get advice on too.

    Pete

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dave+63 View Post
    I sold my Trafic at 180k miles and the only issue I had with the gearbox was replacing the cables at £150 IIRC. I never had a problem with drive shafts but had to have the lower wishbones replaced every couple of years!

    I didn't have the injector issue either.
    Probably down to their previous life / history . A friend deals in them and I've seen a lot of them come and go plus a lot pop up in the other mates body shop . Mid life on one I would be very thorough on any van tbh

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by sprite1275 View Post

    Some nice info there. Interesting what you say about the VW. They certainly have it nailed with size/looks etc. I did get warned away from them by a mechanic i was talking to. He said they can be very troublesome and he talked from experience from owning 3 transporters and a couple of his mates had them.
    They tuned the diesel engines of the T5 too much, getting 180 hp from a 2-litre 4 cylinder, making the main drive shaft (whatever it's called) from light alloy and adding complex balancing stuff to avoid vibrations. They break after 100.000 km.

    Get a T4 Transporter with a fat 5-cylinder diesel. Very popular amongst people who do camper conversions. Not even terribly thirsty for such a heavy vehicle and the chassis is indestructable. You may be refused access to city centers for environmental reasons though. ;-)

  23. #23
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    My T5 is the 2.5 5 cylinder chain driven engine, little bit noisier than the 1.9/2.0 L engines, but no belts to worry about.

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dave+63 View Post
    I sold my Trafic at 180k miles and the only issue I had with the gearbox was replacing the cables at £150 IIRC. I never had a problem with drive shafts but had to have the lower wishbones replaced every couple of years!

    I didn't have the injector issue either.
    I had an 04 Trafic and the gearbox went around 70k.
    The first vans had a Laguna gearbox and were well known for it.
    From 09 they upgraded the engine from a 1.9 to a 2.0 and was told the gearbox was also worked on.

    I bought an 09 and had it for 7 years before an injector went.
    They have a fault where the water from the bonnet drips onto one of the injectors which means if there is a problem with it, it can be a struggle to remove it.

    I now have a Transit Custom as I had enough of the Renaults.
    They do cost quite a bit more but it's a better vehicle.

    It will be interesting how the new 1.6 Bi turbo Trafics go on as it is a small engine for its size.

  25. #25
    Grand Master Dave+63's Avatar
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    Mine was an 05 1.9dci.

    I've a Nissan E-nv200 now so no engine or gearbox to worry about!

  26. #26
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rob Leeds View Post

    I now have a Transit Custom as I had enough of the Renaults.
    They do cost quite a bit more but it's a better vehicle.

    .
    On my third transit custom and had a few niggles but on the whole it's a superb bit of kit , got the euro 6 170bhp sportvan and just been to sheerness and back today and averaged 43mpg

  27. #27
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    100k with Nissan, no probs
    180k with renault traffis no porbs
    60k with Vw no problems

  28. #28
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    Just checked out the width of a transporter and a transit custom and was surprised to see just a 82mm difference. the transporter looks a lot slimmer to me.

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