Do People buy vans 'requiring attention'? (1 Viewer)

bhs

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After our recent european debacle, where I managed to spend three days in a French hospital having an operation on a badly mangled hand, limping home after waiting 10 days whilst unable to drive, eventually got going with OH changing gear, we called in on friends on the way up country, whilst the van was in a layby outside their house someone clipped the back and put a groove in the garage door and took the whole of the rear body panel/bumper off, lights and all, breaking it in to several pieces. Kind person drove off and has been untraceable.

Ordinarily I would have dealt with it perhaps seeking out plastic welder and doing all the prep myself.

However circumstances make me wonder if it might be better to sell the van to someone willing to take on the repairs?

I will be in and out of hospital for some time and am likely to lose 60% use of left hand

Van is 1999 Hymer B574 can't get body panel as replacement, insurance claim probably not a good idea as it will impact on our other vehicle insurances.

Was looking to upgrade van next year anyway (probably an auto now)

I know I will have to take a big hit on selling price but we won't have the worry of it over the winter.

ps it was still a great holiday, still laughing at the indignity of being taken 40 miles to hospital in a French Fire engine in my swimming cossy, not a pretty sight!
 

scotjimland

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Yes, people do buy, if the price is right.. see plenty on ebay 'requiring attention' or sold for spares or repair..

I'd put it on ebay with plenty of pictures and an honest description.. and have a realistic reserve price.. ..

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Jan 14, 2015
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Yes they do is the simple answer.
Put an ad on here, someone would have a great project.

Good luck with the recovery, good you can smile about it.
 

Jaws

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I much prefer to buy a van that is in need... Saves a LOT of money if you are able to sort things out your self ( and I know for a fact I am far from the only person thinking that way !! )
 

bartiny

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Part exchange it against an auto, tell the dealer that it is a non recorded accident, the dealer will get it repaired at cost, motorhome repaired as good as new, no record of it if anyone does a HPI check, so should not effect future resale values.

That is what I would do, Just my opinion (y)

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Oct 29, 2008
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Van is 1999 Hymer B574 can't get body panel as replacement, insurance claim probably not a good idea as it will impact on our other vehicle insurances.

It may not impact on your other vehicles. I had a claim on my car and my van insurance dropped by £10 the next year, That was through the C&CC
 

Tootles

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After our recent european debacle, where I managed to spend three days in a French hospital having an operation on a badly mangled hand, limping home after waiting 10 days whilst unable to drive, eventually got going with OH changing gear, we called in on friends on the way up country, whilst the van was in a layby outside their house someone clipped the back and put a groove in the garage door and took the whole of the rear body panel/bumper off, lights and all, breaking it in to several pieces. Kind person drove off and has been untraceable.

Ordinarily I would have dealt with it perhaps seeking out plastic welder and doing all the prep myself.

However circumstances make me wonder if it might be better to sell the van to someone willing to take on the repairs?

I will be in and out of hospital for some time and am likely to lose 60% use of left hand

Van is 1999 Hymer B574 can't get body panel as replacement, insurance claim probably not a good idea as it will impact on our other vehicle insurances.

Was looking to upgrade van next year anyway (probably an auto now)

I know I will have to take a big hit on selling price but we won't have the worry of it over the winter.

ps it was still a great holiday, still laughing at the indignity of being taken 40 miles to hospital in a French Fire engine in my swimming cossy, not a pretty sight!
How much?? o_O

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OP
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bhs

bhs

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Had a minor collision but no no claim incident 3 years ago and car insurance is still being loaded despite protected no claims, thats why I'm wary

Van has lots of new bits this year including engine and air con rads, tyres, water pump, we were going to head right down south. Don't know what to ask, stands me in around £17000 I know I will lose loads, did try local dealer as straight purchase but they suggested ebay too! Will take some pics and perhaps offer it on classifieds here.
 

ambulancekidd

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What a nightmare. Your right to be wary of putting things through your insurer. Things like protected no claims bonus is a huge con. All the insurance company does is load up your premium & if you look at other insurers the protected no claims evaporates & is not honoured by other companies. I'm liking the idea of trying for a trade in against another motorhome. Most dealers would be quite happy to take it off your hands & for whoever buys the vehicle it'd be an all round winner.

Here's hoping you get the situation sorted out to your satisfaction.

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OP
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bhs

bhs

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Problem with doshing out more money on trade in is two fold, finding a van which suits and not knowing if I will be mobile enough to use it!
About the only thing I can do one handed at the moment is surf the internet! (no comments thankyou) Brilliant for not washing up, not gardening, not shopping, not decorating and being not popular around the house!
 

scousebird

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There are people who will buy it. My nephew bought a non runner, failed MOT very old Hymer and got it back on the road, so there must be others out there.
 

Badknee

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About the only thing I can do one handed at the moment is surf the internet! (no comments thankyou)
Forget the no comments :sneaky:
So your trying to tell us it's so big it needs two hands? :rofl::rofl::rofl:

Good luck with the MoHo, selling as is and premium bond the cash till your fit is a good idea I think :notworthy2:

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Judge Mental

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Your genuine, reason for sale genuine...if van as equally genuine you will easily find a buyer as they are always popular:)

Put it in the classified section on here and preloved, local Gumtree. All cost nothing...
 
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bhs

bhs

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Got 10 days before Op! Will sort advert promptly, thanks everyone for cheering me up!

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TheBig1

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Find the average price for your van in undamaged condition. then the cost of repairs, double cost of repairs and take off the undamaged price. This is a realistic value

I buy motorhomes and caravans and do them up cosmetically before reselling. Pictures of the actual damage would be very helpful, as I may be able to give a guesstimate on cost. It is likely that having it repaired locally makes more sense financially. then sell on in good order with more cash towards your new auto van
 
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bhs

bhs

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We are a bit rural here and I can't drive the van at the minute! Here are a couple of pics, looks allright at first sight but the whole bumpery bit came away, there are bits of the plastic missing but we collected all we could find!
bumper1.jpg
bumper2.jpg
bumper3.jpg
 

TheBig1

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That bumper I would get remade in fibreglass using the plastic parts to create the mould. The creases in the metal, get filled and painted

Probably about £800 - £900. Plastic welding could be done cheaper but as you say parts are missing, it would be difficult. Maybe weld the big cracks then rebuild the damaged parts with fibre mesh and plastic filler. The finished job would be weaker though

places like eeco would likely have a mould already, thinking about it, so worth a phone call and email with pictures. that should save a bit
 
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bhs

bhs

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Hoped no one would ask! On a lovely site on the Quiberon Neck, alongside beautiful beaches, was taking dogs for a walk through the site to where they could be off lead, the dogs are big boys, usually gentle and calm, had one of them on an extending lead, nylon type rope, typical of your awkward French motorhomer, one of them had a catflap, and cats !!

Harold saw the cat, I didn't, I heard the unravelling sound of the lead, tried to disintangle myself, too late, 29kg of hairy Harry and the lead left my fingers/ hand in quite a mess, French pompiers summoned, very efficiently collected all the bits, 40 mile ride in Fire appliance, two tones and all!

Within 2 hours was in operating theatre being stitched back together, 5 stars to the French health service, 10 out of ten to the friendly helpful peoples on the campsite, two fingers to the French cat lovers!

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OP
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bhs

bhs

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Thanks Big 1 will I find Eeco online?
 

Badknee

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Wow, hope your hand heals eventually. :eek:
Looking at the pictures I would call in at your local bodyshop for them to have a look see before I did anything drastic. I would imagine 100% of cars have plastic 'bumpers' these days so the lads will be well used to working on them.(y)

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dabhand

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Drive to Morocco in your van you WILL get it repaired for under a grand
 

TheBig1

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Drive to Morocco in your van you WILL get it repaired for under a grand
have seen a morrocan repair to a plastic panel. metal rods melted into plastic across the break then filled and painted. doubt it will remain effective long term due to expansion, contraction rates of materials used differing
 

dabhand

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have seen a morrocan repair to a plastic panel. metal rods melted into plastic across the break then filled and painted. doubt it will remain effective long term due to expansion, contraction rates of materials used differing
They do do small repairs like that, I smashed my front bumper in two in Morocco in Feb this year, cost me £48 to have it fibreglassed and re sprayed, result I'd say, although to be fair, smashed it again when I hit a block of ice in the Atlas Mountains!

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