Ex police Sprinter..should I or shouldnt I?

[Mr Meenah]

I was thinking of getting an ex-police Sprinter for conversion with the mind-set that it's already insulated, most have a webasto heater installed and has roof-vents etc.. I'm sure it's been done before I'd like to hear about the pros n cons..

 

[Badknee]

What about high mileage and it will have been thrashed a few times I would think. Multiple drivers etc. A bit of a chance would be my thoughts, not sure I would take it.

 

[denisejoe]

Has it still got a grill on front window

 

[Terry]

If you are going to keep it for a few years then if at right price go for it ....if not keeping for a few years then you need to go for newest lowest mileage you can afford

 

[Speve]

It should be good mechanically their vehicles are always well maintained, you May need to think about weight though as I think some of the vans had reinforced panels etc.

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[scotzsue]

Had an ex police ford escort supposedly a 1.1 had to take old parts when going for new as nothing was standard. Had uprated brakes and went like the proverbial. Would get an AA or RAC check but no of drivers/mileage wouldnt put me off if that panned out ok.

 

[TinaLes]

You could always try before you buy.....get arrested, and sit in the back, whilst there check out engine noise & performance, suspension, and sound proofing,the sat nav will have every police station, law court, possibly prison set up as POI's , then en route just shout at the top of your voice....it wasnt me!, you have the wrong man!......check soundproofing for echoes other than that I would do as others have said thus far, if its in good mechanical nick, arrest the idea, and go for it.

Have fun.
Les

 

[Kannon Fodda]

High mileage can be less of a problem than low mileage. Low mileage could still have been heavily used, thrown around a lot on shorter runs, and with the nature of the job sat idling for high periods of time. The van may well also have been heavily loaded for a lot of the time, if fully crewed and with loads of operational kit, what has that done to the suspension? Yes the vehicle will have been maintained, but will it have been treated kindly by so many users. And what sort of a mess is it in with blanking plates and the like once the police related radio, lighting and suchlike is stripped out? Also check the real age of the van. It could be a bit older than the reg implies as they are often bought as a job lot, sit in a yard and only brought into use when there is an operational need.

 

[trophychap]

A police garage undertakes a lot of mechanical work though in the main routine maintenance even though they're specialised and one-off vehicles.

However their body shops are far busier.

 

[BobtheBass]

I bought an ex police van/naughty boy carrier once for my band and mechanically it was fine. The problem was the smell! Heaven knows what goes on in the back of one of those vehicles but we couldn't get rid of it no matter what we tried.

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[Mr Meenah]

I'm hoping for a 516 or similar so weight shouldnt be a problem. Sourcing one might be though. I might have a problem running pipes and additional electrics as I'd have to get behind the panelling.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

You could always try before you buy.....get arrested, and sit in the back, whilst there check out engine noise & performance, suspension, and sound proofing,the sat nav will have every police station, law court, possibly prison set up as POI's , then en route just shout at the top of your voice....it wasnt me!, you have the wrong man!......check soundproofing for echoes other than that I would do as others have said thus far, if its in good mechanical nick, arrest the idea, and go for it.

Have fun.
Les

Brilliant!

Seriously, if priced right then worth a punt

 

[DuxDeluxe]

I'm hoping for a 516 or similar so weight shouldnt be a problem. Sourcing one might be though. I might have a problem running pipes and additional electrics as I'd have to get behind the panelling.

I think you might need to do something with the panelling anyway, so look at it as a blank canvas

 

[chaser]

have you considered an ambulance this is mine, love it, i know its not a sprinter but you get the idea

edit sorry dont know how the market photo got in there , cant seem to remove it.

 

[Mr Meenah]

Whats the inside like and do you have enough headroom?

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[chaser]

Whats the inside like and do you have enough headroom?

plenty headroom as its made for medics to work in

 

[PeterCarole29]

This is our ambulance but i,m at a point because we are building a new bungalow in the garden will have to sell 2 vans this was an ex film set van genuine 28,000 miles. weve had it almost 2 years now and not yet converted just use it for work a lot

 

[Ivory55]

At least you know it’s got high mileage and not been clocked.

 

[tacr2man]

This firm get some little gems , some not police but other GOV as well . Look at EX Mil vehicles as they are ridiculously well maintained even when they are only very low mileage (reserve stock).
https://www.forcevans.co.uk/

 

[PeterCarole29]

At least you know it’s got high mileage and not been clocked.

Is that a dig at my van. if so thats just typical of a wind up merchant or some know it all who knows nothing.
But i,m not going to bite just to say its very genuine

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[chaser]

Is that a dig at my van. if so thats just typical of a wind up merchant or some know it all who knows nothing.
But i,m not going to bite just to say its very genuine

shouldnt let it worry you , ours has done 270 thou and runs like new, perhaps tempting fate a bit there, but how many vans on here that never get to first service without going wrong.

 

[chaser]

apart from anything else , ambulances are three quarter the way done, ours had when we got it, windows, roof lights, split charging , diesel heater, all insulated, spotless clean, all service records, nearly new tyres, central locking on all doors , all electric lights in the back.
all for 3 and a half grand.
whats not to like?

 

[Ivory55]

Is that a dig at my van. if so thats just typical of a wind up merchant or some know it all who knows nothing.
But i,m not going to bite just to say its very genuine

I was not having a dig at anybody. It was genuine. I think these firms advertise as mileage correction and wind the clocks back, if it’s got the actual high mileage on it at least you know what you’re getting.

 

[PeterCarole29]

I was not having a dig at anybody. It was genuine. I think these firms advertise as mileage correction and wind the clocks back, if it’s got the actual high mileage on it at least you know what you’re getting.

Fair enough

 

[Ivory55]

We have had our fair share of space ship mileage motors in the past. So am I no position to judge others.

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[two]

I would think it's a sound base to work from.
The blue lights could come in useful, too...

 

[Mr Meenah]

apart from anything else , ambulances are three quarter the way done, ours had when we got it, windows, roof lights, split charging , diesel heater, all insulated, spotless clean, all service records, nearly new tyres, central locking on all doors , all electric lights in the back.
all for 3 and a half grand.
whats not to like?

That's a good price. Did you buy at auction?

 

[Mr Meenah]

This firm get some little gems , some not police but other GOV as well . Look at EX Mil vehicles as they are ridiculously well maintained even when they are only very low mileage (reserve stock).
https://www.forcevans.co.uk/

Forcevans is actually not that far from me. I'd like to find the auction where they go to buy.

 

[chaser]

what about these

 

[Ivory55]

Forcevans is actually not that far from me. I'd like to find the auction where they go to buy.

Might find that they buy direct, you know have to take everything the good and the bad

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