What to look out for on 6 year van with only 4000m

[Lizi]

Another question! From reading this forum I have seen a few times that low mileage isn’t necessarily a good thing. Are there specific things to be wary of or look out for in the case of a 6 year old van with just over 4000 miles?

 

[pappajohn]

If the mileage is genuine it's been on site or stored without being moved much.
First things it needs is a new set of tyres and a cambelt change, both of which are time related as well as mileage.
Tyres, usually renew 5 years regardless of treadwear etc.
Cambelt, usually 5 or 6 years or 80'000 miles... Whichever comes first .
Then possibly a brake service and definately a full engine service.

 

[Pablotti]

I bought a 3.5 year old van with 4000 miles. Underneath and under the bonnet it was like brand new. On the outside and in the hab area it was a different story. The wheels were curbed, front bumper needed a respray, upholstery was damaged, bits were missing, some things didn't work.

Look out for hard or inappropriate use, whatever the mileage. 4000 hard miles and not much care could be far worse than 25k miles of TLC.

 

[Brains]

Tyres could well be knackered. Check the tyre walls, you would probably want to replace all of them anyway as they would be close to their 'use by' date.

Electrics could have suffered. Connections tend to 'dry out' if they are not used. So check every lamp, every option on the control panel.

Water external:
Have any puddles formed on the roof that have stained, or leaves blocked gutters that have rusted ?
What condition is the awning in ?
Moss ?

Water internal:
Damp ?
Fill the water tanks and make sure no smell and the taps and pump works
(good chance if pump does work it will fail soon, so get a spare in anycase)

Fuel - How long has the fuel been sitting around ?
You may simply be able to fill with new fuel and mix it up a bit.

Batteries - probably knackered if they have been left to run down.

I'd just be prepared for a few odd problems in the first 1,000 miles, so dont go too far from home

 

[nomadic]

Yes, we once looked at a Burstner with 4000 miles, I suggested to the sales man that it had been used as a site home for a warden. He went of protesting and came back with the file and apologised, its residential address was a local campsite. I agree with all that's been said, look closely at the bedding, it may be weaker than it should be, also make sure the internal fittings are in good order. Have gas and water loaded to test all the services, and a test run.

Good luck with your search.

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

 

[Lizi]

We have had a brief look at it and on the surface everything seems ok except the kitchen unit drawers all stick and are certainly not soft close as they should be. The dealer has said this would be remedied before hand over. Thanks for the pointers - lots of things I wouldn’t have thought of! I think we may well go and see it for a real proper look.

 

[Littlewheels]

I paid £100k+ for a MH that was one year old with 470miles covered,it was the biggest purchased decision l have ever made. They need use.

 

[Lizi]

Littlewheels, are you saying avoid this one then? Did you have problems with yours? We will be paying 50k for this so are a bit nervous.

 

[old-mo]

If possible, take some one with you that is a bit switched on when it comes to Motorhomes..

The more eyes looking the better.... they may see some thing that you have not noticed..

 

[Lizi]

Unfortunately we don’t have anyone to take or we would do that.

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

 

[Conal]

We bought an Autotrail Delaware 6 months old with 1500 miles on the clock. We thought it was low mileage and Brownhills suggested (after the sale) take it local for a few nights and bring it back if there were problems - they would fix them. We could have stayed at their site but pottered around and all OK.

 

[old-mo]

Unfortunately we don’t have anyone to take or we would do that.

Ask on here if any member in your area could come and have a look...

You may strike lucky..

 

[pelican]

Another question! From reading this forum I have seen a few times that low mileage isn’t necessarily a good thing. Are there specific things to be wary of or look out for in the case of a 6 year old van with just over 4000 miles?

A corpse

 

[suavecarve]

Unfortunately we don’t have anyone to take or we would do that.

Where is it and when are you going? dealer or private sell

 

[sonar]

Our Swift. Sundance 600 b 2003 less than 19K on the clock confirmed through mots and the dvla.
seats and cushions very worn.
passengers swivel seat thread bare.
drivers seat good condition
pedal rubbers. Look as good as new as does the gear knob.
steering wheel is not smooth or worn either.
worn some cupboards Handles.

the underside of the van is in very good condition for it’s age.

looks like most things that needed attention were dealt with .

outside just worn stickers. faded most of them ..
a re spray on the rear only.

galley window was replaced at some time.

But engine wise confirmed again to be in perfect condition.

so we are assuming it was a Moho that did not go to far and had more use inside than it did moving about.

could have been used as a static on site at sometime.

it was most certainly not stored on a grass site
sometimes it is very hard to see what the moho has been used like as the mileage does not indicate it’s full use.

anyway all these are small things that have near on been replaced refurbished or renewed nearly.

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

 

[Fdhadi]

In 2006 we bought a 2004 Burstner A747 with only 2k miles on the clock.
Only had to change the engine battery, the rest was immaculate.
Kept hold of it for 15yrs and it served us very well and we put 70k on the clock.

Still in very good condition when we sold it.

 

[daveclare]

I wouldn't take salesman's word for "we'll fix that before pick up". Get any defects listed on sales invoice with a signature on repair/replace list.

 

[Steve and Denise]

Cobwebs but after that if these vans are lived in it can knock hell out of them the beds and upholstery is not ment to be lived in 365 days of the year and the fittings are only just good enough to get by for short term use

 

[Stealaway]

If it's been stored for years on a grass field you might find the underneath is suffering from severe corrosion. Check it out carefully.

 

[steve69]

I can't see any reference to the make/model you are buying. £50 k sound a lot for a 6 year old van you are not sure of.

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

 

[Lizi]

Thanks again everyone. As you say Steve69 it’s expensive for what it is, but so are all the motorhomes we have looked at. You wouldn’t believe the condition of some in the £40-50k range. This one looks good on the surface. We are not going to rush into buying anything - we still have our tent!

 

[Southdowners]

I'd check everything inside to see if it looks 'right' for the age and mileage of the vehicle. It could have been driven to, say, Spain each year and lived in full-time for months each time.

 

[Sapper520]

Thanks again everyone. As you say Steve69 it’s expensive for what it is, but so are all the motorhomes we have looked at. You wouldn’t believe the condition of some in the £40-50k range. This one looks good on the surface. We are not going to rush into buying anything - we still have our tent!

Got a link to the van? I’m sure there are plenty of sharp eyes on here that can give it a cursory look.

 

[Lizi]

Inside is lovely with the exception that kitchen drawers are very sticky and need attention. Outside van looks good too. I was just remembering reading on several occasions that it is not good for a van to have low mileage. Now got some ideas of what to look out for and if we do buy we will certainly take up ideas given here eg list of faults to be fixed on sales invoice etc.