Another potential motorhome - first purchase (1 Viewer)

[In the Pink]

Hi again,
My search for a Hymer Exsis continues....

There is one for sale at Clearway Motorhomes in Somerset.
2004, 2.3jtd engine, 99,000 miles for £24,995

My question is the MOT history..
It failed in 2017 for a number of serious faults, as follows;

• Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)
• Nearside Rear Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded front spring shackle (2.2.C.1h)
• Nearside Rear Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Rear spring shackle (2.2.C.1h)
• Offside Rear Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded front spring shackle (2.2.C.1h)
• Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Rear spring shackle (2.2.C.1h)
• Offside Front Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Wheel arch (2.2.C.1h)
• Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings Centre body mount (sill) (6.1.B.2)
• Fuel hose leaking (7.2.3)
• Nearside Rear Leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush Rear bush (2.4.B.2)
• Offside Rear Leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush Rear (2.4.B.2)

Advisory notice item(s)

• Engine oil leak
• Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the Engine mount.

These sound serious to me although it did subsequently pass its MOT so presumably all the faults were rectified to a safe and satisfactory standard.

This is the second one I have come across with the same corrosion issues.
Is this a common problem for this model or motorhomes of this age?

More importantly, would you consider buying it with such a history?

You will know from previous posts that I am new to motor homing and quite frankly haven't a clue and this will be my first purchase so don't want to make an expensive mistake from the off. So, as always, would appreciate your thoughts on this.

Thank you

 

[dave newell]

Walk away, it has had a serious case of tinworm and even if it's been repaired the dog is in there. I am a bit concerned that some of the fail items refer to "rear steering component" though.

D.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Ditto, walk away it’s a rot box

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[MikeD]

Me also - walk away.

It's good advice from Dave and Cheshirecat57

 

[In the Pink]

That was my thinking... I guess I was just looking for confirmation...

Thank you both. Grateful as always. Will continue with my search

 

[Spriddler]

It failed in 2017 for a number of serious faults, as follows;

These sound serious to me although it did subsequently pass its MOT so presumably all the faults were rectified to a safe and satisfactory standard.

@In the Pink That's A LOT of corrosion to fix.
Who said it has now passed an MOT?

On the DVLA website at this moment (1754hrs) it's shown as 'No MOT'...

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Allanm]

My last van based on a 1997 Ducato had no rust on the chassis except for a very small area of slight corrosion ( not a fail item) near the front bolt on crossmember. The whole chassis was still covered in white paint and solid.
Serious corrosion on a 2004 chassis is alarming. This seems like a vehicle that has had little servicing through it life. Even if the rusty parts were repaired, it is definitely a vehicle to avoid.

 

[Allanm]

@In the Pink That's A LOT of corrosion to fix.
Who said it has now passed an MOT?

On the DVLA website at this moment (1754hrs) it's shown as 'No MOT'...

View attachment 267458

The OP stated the fail items were from 2017, it subsequently passed an mot, but, you are right that it currently has no mot.

 

[Spriddler]

The OP stated the fail items were from 2017, it subsequently passed an mot, but, you are right that it currently has no mot.

Exactly. And since the MOT is carried out whilst the tester is online the result should appear immediately the test is completed.
It seems to me that faced with the repair costs the previous owner sold or part ex'd it to a dealer who hasn't yet fixed it.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Allanm]

Exactly. And since the MOT is carried out whilst the tester is online the result should appear immediately the test is completed.
It seems to me that faced with the repair costs the previous owner sold or part ex'd it to a dealer who hasn't yet fixed it.

It was fixed.

The mot failure, with the list posted by the OP was 11th Sept 2017.
The van subsequently passed its mot on 28th Sept 2017 with no advisories, so I assume it was repaired.
The latest mot expired on 27th Sept 2018. I’d be interested in the results of its new test!

 

[Spriddler]

It was fixed.

The mot failure, with the list posted by the OP was 11th Sept 2017.
The van subsequently passed its mot on 28th Sept 2017 with no advisories, so I assume it was repaired.
The latest mot expired on 27th Sept 2018. I’d be interested in the results of its new test!

Yes, it was fixed. I think we're at cross purposes here as I didn't put my comment about 'not yet being fixed' very clearly. (Getting dinner and posting simultaneously evidently exceeds my multi-tasking skills).
The MOT ran out Sept. 2018. One would think that a seller, especially a dealer, would get renew MOT before or whilst advertising it

 

[In the Pink]

It is the second one that has had the same issues with corrosion on the mounts. Maybe it's an issue with the Exsis SK or a co-incidence?

Thanks everyone for your input.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[MikeD]

Yes, it was fixed. I think we're at cross purposes here as I didn't put my comment about 'not yet being fixed' very clearly. (Getting dinner and posting simultaneously evidently exceeds my multi-tasking skills).
The MOT ran out Sept. 2018. One would think that a seller, especially a dealer, would get renew MOT before or whilst advertising it

I suspect the dealer works on the principal that it may sit on his forecourt for a month or three and as he will want to sell it with a 12 month MOT.

He does not really want to pay for two MOT's.

I assume it has been through his workshop and his engineer has told him what is required and it now probably reflects in the price he is asking.

 

[Spriddler]

I suspect the dealer works on the principal that it may sit on his forecourt for a month or three and as he will want to sell it with a 12 month MOT.

He does not really want to pay for two MOT's.

I assume it has been through his workshop and his engineer has told him what is required and it now probably reflects in the price he is asking.

Yes, that makes sense, especially perhaps at this end-of-season time of year.

 

[Spriddler]

It is the second one that has had the same issues with corrosion on the mounts. Maybe it's an issue with the Exsis SK or a co-incidence?

Thanks everyone for your input.

I don't know that vehicle but there's always some surface corrosion on a ten or fourteen year old vehicle. The tester's comments on all those faults contain the observations 'serious' corrosion and 'excessive' corrosion which would be rather worrying to me.
I've done a fair bit of restoration chasing rust on older vehicles. The panels themselves are not always expensive but it usually involves considerable labour cost dismantling and removing rusted/seized parts and fittings first; often floor coverings, tanks and fitted domestic units in a motorhome, and refitting them after welding. Without sight of the vehicle one can only speculate with regard to the seriousness of the corrosion.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[mitzimad]

dealer has probably bought it for next to nothing and is waiting for a mugs deposit before he commits to repairng

 

[jezport]

My 2005 Fiat had no serious corrosion. I would walk away

 

[Gaston aires]

Why would you even want to consider a van with this past history when there are plenty of good vans for sale ?
Walk away and start looking for a "goodun"
Phil

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[scotzsue]

Was that the year there was serious flooding at some dealers and the vehicles were subsequently auctioned off by the insurance companies?

 

[pagey]

maybe the previous owner lived close to the sea

 

[Baileysbus]

Find a ten foot barge pole I would definitely walk away from that one

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[nicholsong]

The corosion should have nothing related to the converters model. It would all appear in vans with the same chassis.

Does it?

 

[Peter Waller]

All the above replies make common sense.....do not let your heart rule your head. My motor home is a 2000 Fiat Ducato based and is corrosion free apart from some general age related.

 

[Spriddler]

@Allanm @mitzimad @MikeD
There's something rather curious that's been bugging me about that Hymer.
At the Sept 2016 MOT it passed with only minor wear and tear Advisories and no mention whatsoever (not even any Advisory) of corrosion.....

and yet, at the very next MOT in Sept 2017 and just 5,000 mls later it failed comprehensively due to widespread and excessive corrosion.....

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Allanm]

That’s a lot of corrosion in just 12 months and 5000 miles. Makes me wonder if the 2017 mot was above board.....

 

[In the Pink]

Didn't pick that up @Allanm - well spotted.

Thanks again everyone. Rest assured it's a definite 'No'

 

[maison]

@Allanm
Me too!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Spriddler]

That’s a lot of corrosion in just 12 months and 5000 miles. Makes me wonder if the 2017 mot was above board.....

That's exactly the same thought that had been bugging me. Very odd.

 

[john lillie]

best thing you did was check MOT history, something I learned recently when looking at cars bikes etc, you can learn an awful lot from your armchair that way!

 

[TUCANO]

@In the Pink
Can I possibly interest you in a Hymer B584, just placed it in the classifieds here