Is buying a 2010 Fiat Ducato with 200k+ miles on the clock a bad idea?

[dannyc]

Hi!

Im looking into doing a self build camper van project with a Fiat Ducato.

I'm looking to have as small budget as possible, such as getting as much materials and equipment second hand. But the first decision is the van. I've been looking at sub-£2000.

I have found a 2010 Ducato with around 217,000 miles on the clock. Its had a bit of work done recently such as
- radiator
- twin radiator fun
- clutch
- camshaft timing chain kit + gears + tensioner
- timing belt kit & water pump
- CV joint
- all fluid
- front new tyres

Is this is decent budget buy or am I going to be buying a future expensive piece of future scrap metal? Any experience with Ducatos/Relays/Boxers around this age/mileage would be great!

Thanks

 

[normanandsue]

Who knows, you pays your money and takes your choice. The van seems to be underpriced so assuming all is as well as it can be in your opinion then go for it if this is all you want/can afford. Whether it will still be running in years time is anyone's guess. One thing is certain by the time you have completed the conversion if you want to sell it, you will be lucky to recoup your expenses, but if it is a labour of love then this will not matter.

The risk is entirely yours, if you think it's a good idea, then go for it, if you have doubts then back off.

 

[jongood]

Interesting that you are listing a timing chain and belt, it won't have both. If its a chain it will be the 3 litre which is a good engine.

It depends what you want, if you want cheapy cheap and don't care about it being saleable at any point then its whatever you re happy with. but if you want a proper tidy job you are going to be investing a lot of money into a van with a huge issue with resale.

My daughter and husband have done 3 self builds, the first was on a former plasterers van which was really low mileage but proper knocked about, they spent quite a bit of money converting it but when they were ready to upgrade it was still a knocked about van underneath which made it difficult to sell.

The best one they got was an ex demo from one of the garages but much bigger money all round and vat to deal with.

 

[dannyc]

Sorry I just copy and pasted from the advert, its listed as a 2.3 (120 multi jet)

 

[dannyc]

Interesting that you are listing a timing chain and belt, it won't have both. If its a chain it will be the 3 litre which is a good engine.

It depends what you want, if you want cheapy cheap and don't care about it being saleable at any point then its whatever you re happy with. but if you want a proper tidy job you are going to be investing a lot of money into a van with a huge issue with resale.

My daughter and husband have done 3 self builds, the first was on a former plasterers van which was really low mileage but proper knocked about, they spent quite a bit of money converting it but when they were ready to upgrade it was still a knocked about van underneath which made it difficult to sell.

The best one they got was an ex demo from one of the garages but much bigger money all round and vat to deal with.

Sorry I just copy and pasted from the advert, its listed as a 2.3 (120 multi jet)

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[Diabalo]

I thought the 2ltr engine were the ford Puma with chain driven cams.

 

[jako999]

If all is well with the body and the chassis everything else is bolted together so fixable, if it’s what you can afford then it’s what you have to buy. Just because it’s high mileage and old doesn’t mean it bad my wife’s new Range Rover was rubbish from day one. I’m a paramedic and our ambo’s can be 4 years old with 200,000 on running for most of the day and not treated mechanicaly with respect, yes their maintained well but I think they do fantastically all things considered.

 

[donkey]

The one thing I would say, is that I once bought a high mileage VW Caddy and although the body and chassis were in good nick, I was for ever having to attend to other items such as wheel bearings, alternator, water pump, CV joints etc. etc
In conclusion, although the whole vehicle was in reasonable condition, large mileage will however take its toll on all the ancillary components leading to something giving up eventually.
If you are prepared for this, then go ahead, otherwise I would look for something with less miles and less years.

Geoff

 

[Spriddler]

Check its MOT history (esp for corrosion) on the Gov't MOT History website here:

Check the MOT history of a vehicle

Check the MOT history of a vehicle from 2005 onwards, including if it passed or failed, its mileage and why it failed, download MOT test certificate

www.gov.uk

 

[Raul]

This is going to be very difficult decision. Resale will loose out. High mileage on newer van is ok, but, high mileage and old, it’s not a good combination. As others pointed, ancillaries do give up and you will never know what’s next.
Personally, I would keep looking and add a bit to the budget. Test drive is a must.

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[dannyc]

Check its MOT history (esp for corrosion) on the Gov't MOT History website here:

Check the MOT history of a vehicle

Check the MOT history of a vehicle from 2005 onwards, including if it passed or failed, its mileage and why it failed, download MOT test certificate

www.gov.uk

Its had barely any faults/fails which I don't know if it good news or slightly alarming, Especially compared to a 180k miles 2011 Boxer I was looking at as well

 

[Spriddler]

Its had barely any faults/fails which I don't know if it good news or slightly alarming, Especially compared to a 180k miles 2011 Boxer I was looking at as well

I don't know why lack of faults would be alarming.

Checking the MOT history is useful but it's only one piece of info that helps to get a feel for the vehicle's past and as you are no doubt aware not necessarily any reflection on it's current or general condition.
High mileage can mean it's been a fleet vehicle, regularly maintained and run largely at sympathetic temperatures rather than dawdling around country roads half warmed up.
Nevertheless, the suspension, steering, wheel bearings etc. and other ancillaries may be past their best.

 

[Off da Grid]

It’s a diesel barely run in

 

[dannyc]

I don't know why lack of faults would be alarming.

Checking the MOT history is useful but it's only one piece of info that helps to get a feel for the vehicle's past and as you are no doubt aware not necessarily any reflection on it's current or general condition.
High mileage can mean it's been a fleet vehicle, regularly maintained and run largely at sympathetic temperatures rather than dawdling around country roads half warmed up.
Nevertheless, the suspension, steering, wheel bearings etc. and other ancillaries may be past their best.

just sceptical if it’s been taken to a dodgy garage to get is straight through MOTs, there’s barely even any advisories

 

[chatteris]

we have a courier brings his sprinter in its done nearly 300,000 miles but he has it serviced regularly and has anything fixed that is a bit worn, its had a a lot done to it over the years but is a good reliable van, engine has had injectors and clutch and dmf and propshaft have been changed but not bad for the mileage