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[Cass18]

Not sure how I start a thread off but have a pressing problem with Motorhome we are about to buy ( have paid a reservation fee of £250 which is supposed to be refundable) on being given the info today the MOT from a year ago pulled up the following advisories which have frightened me -
• front inner vehicle structure corroded but structural rigidity not significantly reduced wheel arch,
• general surface corrosion to Chassis, suspension, steering & brake,
• exhaust system corroded

please can someone advise me would you walk away from this it’s a Hymer B 584. Gutted-Cass18

 

[Richard n Ann]

Was it cheap? If so you could afford some repairs. Maybe pay for a professional inspection by the RAC or such like.

 

[Figaro]

If you have the registration number you can check the entire MOT history, or post it on here and someone will pull it up and give an opinion.
Was the work carried out, if it was to sell it might have been a quick flash over to get through MOT ?
Rust is a real killer and difficult to eradicate properly.
Is it a ducato and what year ?
Alko chassis ?

 

[Figaro]

Welcome to the forum as well

 

[Carol]

Hello and welcome to Fun, I would tread cautiously and also give it a good check over with a. damp meter it does not matter the price you need to check you are not buying a money pit.
Just a note when you join you get 5 free posts then you need to become a full member £15 a year for that you get to ask unlimited questions you could also check out for free Jim's guide to buying a motorhome.
Good luck with checking it out and choosing your new Motorhome.

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[BusyBuilder]

4 years ago, my Transporter T5 work van got a corroded exhaust notice. Its the original exhaust on 2008 van and it's still okay.
I would get this all checked out for you minds sake, but it could sound worse than it really is.

 

[Cass18]

Hi all Thankyou for the replies, it’s a 2002 Hymer B584 it’s price is 22k it is from a large garage who offer full mot will do the work that’s needed if it fails, they give 12 months warranty I’ll try attach a few MOT certs,I’m a panic and worrier I’ve only paid £250 holding deposit but because of Coronavirus they are accepting an email to say I agree with the order in fact they asked me to email back quick saying this which I did, they seem like a reputable company I think but the MOT worries me this is our life savings and a lot of money to us, the outside and inside of the van are immaculate!

 

[lunarman]

Is this the one <Broken link removed> Its a long way from you as its in Poole. What warranty is being offered will you have to travel to get any work done?

 

[Carol]

Hi Cass18 strangely enough we have a Hymer 584. Year 2000 great van, the things we have had to replace through corrosion were the cross member across the front of the Van which my husband changed not too difficult a Job and a common fault with Hymers of that type of year and a couple of months ago the main radiator which was corroded so I'd check that.
We got our garage to check all the rest out in February and there is no other corrosion. I would investigate exactly what the corrosion is. Have they wax oiled it to cover anything up, when was it wax oiled.
We have had our van 15 years and love it certainly won't change it.
I don't think it's cheap for the van you are buying but the 584 is quite a popular van.
Good luck.

 

[dabhand]

It doesn’t sound like much to worry about, nothing a wire brush and a coat of wax oil won’t sort, I’ve had that sort of advisory on the wife’s car for about 5 years, if it’s a nice van at the right money get it bought! BUT. No harm at this present moment in negotiating a bit of discount

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[Cass18]

Yes it’s in Poole, and it does come ‘ready for the road’ having had an MOT and quite a comprehensive going over and any work needed done will be done by them before we get it, it has had a couple wax oiled it’s mentioned in the advisories ? It has worried me we don’t have a lot of money and at my age we don’t want it just for a couple of years it was to last a lot longer. It’s in advisories rather than repair immediately.

 

[Cass18]

It comes with 12 month warranty but will need to look now at what that entails, it’s a lovely van inside and outside it’s just underneath that’s the worry ! And believe me I’m a stresser x

 

[lunarman]

Ask when the timing belt was last changed.

There is another for sale Here Its a private sale 2005 model but right hand drive (Do you need/want a left hand drive?)

 

[Cass18]

Is the timing belt same as cam belt ? As it’s to be changed, that’s a lovely van but only 2 berth ? We need 3 berth as we take our granddaughter with us occasionally my husband prefers left to travel in Europe.

 

[Richard n Ann]

I personally would give that one a miss. The Waxoyl will probably be hiding more rot. And it also encourages rot underneath it, I know from experience with my Land Rover Defender.
It may be immaculate but it's scrap if it's gone underneath ?

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[Cass18]

It mainly says surface corrosion on MOT apart from front inner vehicle structure corroded?

 

[Cass18]

Received this today any views please “
We were fully aware of the ‘advisories’ on the Hymer before taking it in part exchange, in fact the customers highlighted them to us. The MOT was carried out by a local garage in Poole who we know and trust so the items are correctly pointed out. We have already inspected the underside of the vehicle along with one of our own garages who will be preparing the vehicle.



The wording on any MOT has to be technically and cautiously written to protect the MOT station, but we see these sort of comments on a number of the vehicles we supply. I think I may have already mentioned it, but I can confirm that the Hymer will be supplied with a new MOT but we will not be accepting the advisories like the previous owner did. The garage will carry out any rectification work, including these items so the MOT will have no outstanding ‘advisories’ listed. On collection day you will also receive an itemised copy of the service bill which will list the service work carried out, any preparation work required along with the proof of the cam belt change I’ve included for you. “

 

[intokenny]

It is a long way to drive if any work has to be done under warranty, something to consider i think.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Is the timing belt same as cam belt ?

Yes

 

[Baggydave]

Hi & welcome.
I know from personal & friends experience that things can get “missed” when the seller & mot station are linked. After all the sale depends on getting a new mot?

the warranty can also be used as a coverall by the seller “oh don’t worry if there’s a problem it’s under warranty” but getting them to do the work (if it covers that bit) is another question.
Most warranties will also mean they will have to do the “servicing” to keep it ”valid”.
likewise the habitation check.

22k is a tidy sum after all be wary.

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[Pedders]

Not sure how I start a thread off but have a pressing problem with Motorhome we are about to buy ( have paid a reservation fee of £250 which is supposed to be refundable) on being given the info today the MOT from a year ago pulled up the following advisories which have frightened me -
• front inner vehicle structure corroded but structural rigidity not significantly reduced wheel arch,
• general surface corrosion to Chassis, suspension, steering & brake,
• exhaust system corroded

please can someone advise me would you walk away from this it’s a Hymer B 584. Gutted-Cass18

I hate to be a party pooper and I am no mechanic but I wouldn't trust it to see me through to the next MOT. Having said that, you have time to spend and if you have the cash and everything else is in good order it might be worth a shot. Not for me though. When I buy I look at getting a good few years out of it before getting shut. Maybe this one won't give you that leeway.

 

[Spriddler]

There will always be corrosion on a vehicle relative to its age and its significance is largely a matter of opinion.
My concern is that you appear to have only seen photos and its a heck of a long way from you to return for any remedial warranty work. I would never buy a vehicle unseen or a m/h un-smelled.
In your situation (geographically and financially) I would look for another and nearer. After all there's no rush as you won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Wouldn't be so bad if it were £10k.
Seems like the advert has been pulled now ?

 

[Neil Bedwin]

You have to bare in mind that the MOT inspector does not write the advisories. All he does is enter a code and the wording is supplied for him. So when it says 'corroded' it could be anything from slightly brown to a rusty hole. If you trust the dealer and they have a good reputation I would want to go and have a look myself.

At the end of the day you could take it for another MOT a month or two before the warranty runs out and if the advisory is back then take it back to the dealer.....

 

[Minxy]

Being someone who will happily travel for the right vehicle this is one that I wouldn't do that for, there are too many unknowns and even if they are a good garage etc and everything is above board its a very, very long way to go if you have an issue that only THEY can sort out.

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[Cass18]

We have pulled out of this motorhome and going to be refunded the deposit x I’ll stay in touch though as we will still be buying a MH but as someone said we have lots of time at moment x

 

[Carol]

Hi Cass18 probably the best idea considering the distance away and your concerns. I see you are now a paid up member, take the time to use the search facility and ask any questions and do have a look at Jim's buying guide, dealers will probably be opening up shortly you will have more options.
Good luck.