any advice on buying a transit van

[mickg1]

hi I'am searching for a new van an I've narrowed it down to a swb/mwb transit van below 100k 57 plate or newer, I'am going to view two of them tomorrow, is there anything specific to look out for when buying one ?

 

[stevetheplumber]

just the normal no oil in the water no water in the oil no lights on dash that shouldnt be there tyres general condition does everything work lights wipers etc no nasty noises prone to wheel bearings whining smooth gear change clutch level service history if there is one

 

[SimonG]

Make sure lights come on the dash when you turn the ignition. Look for the engine management light. I saw one that 'the bulb must have gone', obviously an issue with it and somebody had removed the bulb.

 

[REDSAW]

look for signs of potential rot/rust, it will happen around the arches and door threasholds etc

 

[mickg1]

there was abit of a blurry picture put up an i could just make out a bit of rust around the wheel arch, this one is quite cheap with full service history and not far from the other transit i want to view but its 1k more expensive, if they both feel the same (ride quality) i may swing towards the rust and get it rewelded, there both now bang on 90k are there any known parts i need to change, e.g oil pump had to be changed on my combo around this time

 

[mickg1]

sorry i meant to say the one with a bit f rust it 1k cheaper

 

[REDSAW]

egr valve, if it dont crank first time in really cold conditions. there a pain.
depends what engine it is too!

 

[mickg1]

280 2.2tdci 85 horses i know its the smaller engine but its not like ill be hauling bricks round all day

 

[R1CKY]

Doulbe check that, I may be mistaken but I thought the 85ps was a 2.0TDCi and the 110ps was the 2.2. Listen for a "chattering" when starting or shutting off the engine, this points towards the EGR failing.

I had a 57 Transit T280 85ps in a company I used to work for, took it from 30-odd thousand to 70-odd thousand. In that time it killed x 2 starter motors, split an intercooler hose and killed a battery. It also averaged low high 20- low 30s on diesel (that said I did drive it flat out everywhere!), I also did mainly servicing and breakdowns, so the started had higher than normal use, probably got started around 15-20 times a day!

I'd have another in a heartbeat though, I've driven loads of vans and the Transit is by far the most enjoyable to drive.

 

[AWheating]

i test drove a tranny a few years ago, took it out the yard and straight onto a 60mph road. when i got near the lights 1/2 mile down i put me foot on the breaks and the van hardly slowed 🙁, i was lucky there was not much traffic as it took ages for use to slow and stop. on the way carefully to the sale yard my mate looked in the glove box and found a garage report which had in big bold writing "breaks faulty, dangerous to drive". As you can imagine i was a bit upset and it put me off trannys.

Next day i brought a T5, been happy ever since.

 

[Keefy]

Always best to take a (good) mechanic friend along when buying a second-hand vehicle. Bung them £30 or something for a drink as they could save you buying a lemon.

 

[mickg1]

t5 is the dream but i doubt ill be finding anything reasonably new/low mileage for 4k, the transit iam looking at with the rust is around 3k will get it down though

 

[mickg1]

ive spent the hole day searching for them, ive got a mate in every bloody trade apart from a mechanic so am doing me nut in, hence the reason ive spent quite long on this today, oh and i double checked the van it is a 2,198cc engine

 

[Leo21]

Open the bonnet and put your and on the engine to check its not been warmed up prior to visit.

 

[SafeGasInstall]

if i was you i would go to vw and put this 4k on a used vw van and pay monthly the rest

 

[mickg1]

to be honest mate iam only 24 and my area isnt exactly known for being insurance friendly haha so iam looking to pay the van off in full, and just worry about the hefty insurance premiums been searching for vw then and there double the price, one for the future maybe but not untill ive got a few more contracts under my belt

 

[mickg1]

got a 57 plate transit in the end 67k on the clock for 4700, was fed up looking at private sellers so i settled for a trader