Buying a motorhome - avoid MACIC inspections

brite-spark

We had a bit of cash and something of a lifestyle change, with the addition of a dog to our household (fewer flights abroad) and decided to buy a campervan. Advised by a couple of friends with vans and after lots of searching I put a holding deposit on a VW T25 via a private sale.

The van looked very clean but I'm no mechanic. Also the seller was in the middle of the Cotswolds and I'm in Sussex, so a local mechanic wasn't an option. I did a little searching and thought that MACIC ( Motorhome and Caravan Inspectorate Counsel) sounded thorough and surely would know their stuff, rather than some generic AA vehicle inspection.

WRONG!

The van had a pretty glowing report with a couple of clear bodywork issues that will need sorting out. I then went ahead and bought it in early April. I know the van was nearly 25 years old, but the whole reason for the inspection was to give me some security about its roadworthiness.

Well since April, the van has been off the road or in garages for more time than it has been on. To date it has clocked up about £2,500 in mechanics bills and that is without having repaired any bits of bodywork. Problems include: cylinder head gasket blown, long-standing rotten coolant hose, old tyres of which two were unroadworthy (one seriously distorted and I was advised should not have passed an MOT), continuous leak into the interior of the van and broken silencer brackets.

There are two issues for me:
- there's no such thing as a motorhome specialist - if you want a check get someone who know the type of vehicle you are buying;
- read the small print: there are hidden away items that any reasonable person would expect to have covered in an inspection e.g. no testing for leaks into the interior; gas appliances are not tested.
When asked for an explanation for why none of my mechanical issues were picked up, I was told patronisingly I had bought a 25 year old vehicle!

I'd advise people to not use MACIC if they're thinking of buying a motorhome (or at least not for VWs).
If anyone has any advice how I might get some recompense from such an outfit, I'd welcome it!

Be warned.

AdrianC

For a T25, get yourself over to forum.Club8090.co.uk

Is it a petrol or diesel?

colino

Before you waste a penny more (£2500 buys a running, legal T25) find a local specialist to look the thing over. They are bloody awful to begin with, despite what every rose-tinted dub aficianado would have you believe, but they are easy to fix.

onomatopoeia99

Most of the stuff you listed is minor, apart from the head gasket. The wasserboxer engine is somewhat prone to head gasket failure, which can necessitate a new engine as it can be easier to replace the engine than getting the heads off.

(I own a T25 syncro.)

Herzlos

What does the fineprint in the report say? I'd stunned it doesn't mention the tyres though. Does the report prove they actually saw it?

Did you give it any cursory once over when you collected it or did you buy unseen?

onomatopoeia99

colino wrote: »

(£2500 buys a running, legal T25)

Those properly converted to be campers can cost way, way more though.

I am not an enthusiast, but the 4wd transmission and crawler gear on mine makes it an excellent (if slow) tow vehicle.

burlington6

I run four transporters. They aren't a bad van but must be the most overrated and overpriced vehicle out there.

AdrianC

burlington6 wrote: »

I run four transporters. They aren't a bad van but must be the most overrated and overpriced vehicle out there.

We bought a T25 three years ago, simply because it was the best small camper we could find for the money - and almost despite the VW badge and "scene tax".

burlington6

A lot has changed in 3 years....you've probably got profit in it now

onomatopoeia99

I paid £1000 for my syncro seven years ago. A surfer dude randomly offered me £3500 for it a few summers back. Aparently having twin sliding doors makes it more desirable. So I think I'm in profit when I decide I don't want it any more.

People driving past my home see it on the drive and knock on my door and ask if I want to sell it to them!

brite-spark

onomatopoeia99 wrote: »

Most of the stuff you listed is minor, apart from the head gasket. The wasserboxer engine is somewhat prone to head gasket failure, which can necessitate a new engine as it can be easier to replace the engine than getting the heads off.

(I own a T25 syncro.)

Hi
My limited mechanical knowledge was why I arranged for the MACIC guys to give the van the once over before I made a decision about whether to buy it.

My main conclusion is that MACIC have limited knowledge of VWs (but wouldn't say that). In the future I'd use a VW mechanic - I no know a couple!!

Chris