Going to buy a van...any advice welcomed

[cam_low]

Good evening chaps,

the time has come to buy a van, I think I'm going to get one of the ex british gas mwb transits that are floating around now.

Low mileage, all FSH, 08 plate, 1 owner etc



Has anyone had any experience of buying a van like this?


Any advice welcomed.


Thanks

 

[Ian]

The service history is very rarely in the book, it's normally just a print out for fleet vehicles, make sure you get it and have a proper look over it. Make sure all servicing has been done when it's supposed to have been, I'd imagine a big company like BG will have done it properly but, I do know that coca cola have had Vivaro tech shift vans in the past and the history on them was awful.

 

[cam_low]

the van I'm looking at has 40k on the clock and has been serviced with new discs n pads by the garage in kent. how many services should it have had ?

 

[White Room]

I've recently had my pads and discs done on 104,000 miles, there thorough by the sounds of it, sevices are usually once a year depending on mileage.

 

[Ian]

You'd have to check the service intervals, it'll tell you in the handbook. It's normally a running in service at 1000 miles, then a major service every 18000 miles or 24 months, whichever comes first. Just type the van model into google and I'm sure it'll be on a ford site somewhere.

 

[Gazzer]

If I recall rightly Wivers bought a van like this and ended up in trouble due to paperwork or something.

 

[Chalker]

I have had 2 ex utility vans. No problems with either and went on to do 150,000 in each. They are generally well looked after mechanically but abused by the workers. The one your after is low mileage. I would go for it.
the only thing to bear in mind is to have a drive in it and listen for the rear axle whine.

 

[cam_low]

Thanks lads, I have found it hard to abuse mine in London as its very rare I hit 70 ! So I think the key is to look for one that was worked in London?

 

[trevortine]

There's a load of ex RAC vans available just now cam. They are the cream of second hand trannys, 08 plates going for about 5k.

 

[cam_low]

I'm specifically after the ex BG one as it comes in MWB semi hi roof and A/C with rear parking sensors and something I have never had in a van...ELECTRIC WINDOWS !

There is a current release of them on 08 plates and by the amount I have rang that have sold, they are like the proverbial hot cake !

 

[White Room]

I'm specifically after the ex BG one as it comes in MWB semi hi roof and A/C with rear parking sensors and something I have never had in a van...ELECTRIC WINDOWS !

There is a current release of them on 08 plates and by the amount I have rang that have sold, they are like the proverbial hot cake !

How much they selling them for...

 

[Tony73]

what is your budget cam_low?

 

[cam_low]

The one I am looking at is £7200 inc vat.

They are ranging from £5k+VAT to some dafty garages up to and over £8k+VAT

- - - Updated - - -

what is your budget cam_low?

£7300

 

[Tony73]

just don't buy FIAT ))
[video=youtube;2uCTekoH_eg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uCTekoH_eg[/video]

 

[Tony73]

Fix It Again Tommorow :lol:

 

[cam_low]

im already fix or repairing daily with the current tranny lol !

 

[CJ]

After working for the Royal Mail years ago......I know how abused the vans get.
i personally would never buy an ex utility van, down to that reason.

Yes, they are well serviced.....but well abused.

You MAY be lucky.

Good luck.

 

[cam_low]

Found a garage that gives a 2 year warranty on vans. I am yet to find out the small print however wont be jumping in.

I dont understand why people think that utility vans get abused. After driving vans day in day out for years, they are just not fun to drive. So I just drive. How come people just assume that because the van does not belong to them they abuse it? I can see why in the RM. Getting finished asap is ideal.

Which brings the question...which ex utility van would be the most reliable of a purchase and for what reason?

 

[White Room]

I'm sure BT used to do a warranty when selling there vans but as said they go quick.

 

[Chalker]

The term abused is meant that the crews are not that bothered about looking after the bodywork or interior like we would when it's our own.

 

[Plumbing Tiler]

I had an ex BT Transit, was a real bargain, well serviced with loads of print outs to show, had a laptop safe in between front seats, even a working sink with hot water in the back!, you should get yourself to an auction Cam Low and buy it direct from the Company, don't pay a middleman!, lots of bargains to be had, just take a mechanic mate with you.....

 

[High Peak Tiling]

Don't forget Cam, a lot of the fleet vans get treated like a lot of hire vehicles. Badly

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

i had one years ago bright yellow BT- van , it did me very well.....,oh and a post-office van bright red years before that that did me a good turn........., i liked the little film and the motorway is just where i live......

 

[cam_low]

test drove he 40k mile one. its drives like new !

 

[Ian]

Get your cash out then