Day van for under £6k?. where do I start ..lol

smallzoo2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82005499#Comment_82005499

Thats a lot of info.. thanks

I was looking at a Vito but I was told they rust.. a lot..

smallzoo2

Is there really room in a s-max for 3 people 3 dogs and a little mini kitchen ?

Goudy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82005777#Comment_82005777

It depends.

Commercial vehicles don't really get looked after as say a private car might. So no one really bothers to clean them properly or treat chips, niks and scratches, so rust tends to take hold pretty quick.

They have a working life span then moved on and no one really gives a sh*t, so they aren't built to last too long either.

My lad started a new job on Monday and brought his works van home last night, a 12 month old Citroen Dispatch, but by the look of it it could be 18 years old. Every nic and scratch is showing signs of rust.

One or two might lead a better life, but they aren't wrapped up in cotton wool as a general rule and this is what you buy into with a used commercial vehicle. Someone's usually had the better part of it's shortish life out of it already.

My old Vito came from a mate that used it for his own electrical business and to ferry his brood about, so it was mega miles but it was looked after a little better. My sister has it now and it's still in reasonable condition.

QrizB

I was looking at a Vito but I was told they rust.. a lot..

Early Vitos did rust terribly. Mercedes Benz seem to have fixed that problem since. If this chap is right, they sorted it out in 2005-2007.

https://youtu.be/q5Ye7g2fiYk?is=eJJyFeHsPOl5DI8L

PTP123

Your budget won't get you a decent van

smallzoo2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82005924#Comment_82005924

I guess I will have to prove you wrong 😂

smallzoo2

Looked on gumtree and quite a selection of what seems good vans for the price ( all under 5k )

What takes your fancy ?

- VW T4,TRANSPORTER, 2001, 2.5tdi, 197k miles, well maintained   £5,500
- VW T4 Transporter Campervan 2.5tdi  168k well maintained  £4,499
- Vauxhall Vivaro Camper van conversion   178k but new engine fitted at 90k owned and maintained by mechanic and mot tester £6,500
- Ford,TRANSIT, Camper Van, 2007, Manual, 2198 (217k well maintained  £4,500
- Citroen dispatch camper, 130k , 1560cc £3750

WellKnownSid

I would definitely second the Japanese import angle. £5k can get you into a 60k mile Alphard with no rust. Common on UK roads.

smallzoo2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82006621#Comment_82006621

I contacted a few people with Alphards and the like and they loved them but they said be prepared to sometimes wait a long time for parts. One of them waited 7 weeks for a part which for other cars would be off the shelf..that really bothers we , the idea of having the car off the road for a long time just 'cos a small part goes wrong ?

Goudy

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82006621#Comment_82006621

So would I, but I'd first look at one of those van based MPVs first. things like insurance, parts etc should be cheaper than an import, though there are import parts specialists.

It's not hard to insure a commercial vehicle for private use, but it can be expensive and problematic. You say the wrong thing about dogs when making a claim, they'll think you're a professional dog walking business.

I've ran plenty of vans and they can be a liability. You could sign write one "Dog Poo Removal Specialists" and someone will still break into it, probably more the once.

I've had doors bent, angle grinders cutting panels, door skins punctured with screw drivers to pop the lock buttons up, windows smashed and locks drilled and smashed. The more you try to secure it, the more tempting it is to scumbags and I've never left anything in one of any value. I think the only thing stolen was a pair of old Reboks, but they caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

I changed tack and started converting those MPVs and even a couple of Land Rover Discoveries into vans. There are usually mesh bulkheads available or you can make something up from ply and a bit of two by one if needed. Fully tinting or using sheets of sticky back plastic or even painting out the rear windows from inside made them look like cars rather than vans. Rubber matting is available in big sheets to cut down.

Somethings like a Berlingo/Partner/Doblo/Combi Life MPV should be more than big enough for what you want.

The rear bench seats are usually split, 60/40 and either part will come out still leaving a 3 or 4 seater car with plenty of load space.

The massive tailgate keeps the rain off you while you sort out loading or cooking up a brew.

I inherited a 60 plate Berlingo MPV and used it to cart an off road motorbike around to events by just taking out the 60 part of the rear seat, then used it to lug a load of stuff down Italy for the ferry to Greece.

Most drive like a car and the Berlingo had some options like cruise, air con and those "captain" front seats which were fantastic.