Buy or walk away?

[Jaymacgee]

Hello

Our search continues although hampered by work commitments!

Had to change our plans for viewing this weekend and ended up looking at two more Autotrail Apache 700SEs.

One (2009) a private sale with owner not present (caravan park employees had keys) and no hab documents available. Had a spongey squashy but about 3cm across under the front dinette seat with damp reading in mid 20s. My feeling is this is rot and we should walk away. Right decision?

Other one (2008) a brokerage sale has a damp reading in mid 20s under rear locker but wall seems sound (i.e. It's not squashy) but there is a tiny bit of grey mould on adjacent pipes. Damp report shows this and water pump has recently been replaced to fix it. Also there is a crack in the shower tray which will be filled and coated. We are promised hab certificate and MOT too. All other docs in order. Seller business seems well respected. Do we have to walk away from this one too or is the resolution acceptable?

Thanks for the continuing advice.

 

[Northernraider]

H

Hi NortherRaider, can rot be stopped (economically) or should we walk away? Van is great otherwise.

Personally I'd walk away, anything can be fixed of course but that depends on your Diy skills or your ability to pay someone else to repair it, it can be costly to do the job properly, also the problem with water ingress is that once it's in the van it spreads like cancer

 

[irnbru]

Hi spongy bit is on the external wall of the MH, under the front dinette seat, in a corner.

There's no wallpaper there so to speak so if the one you have viewed is wallpaper maybe it has had a problem or is a very old one. Is iit the wood that's spongy? This is what our dinette area looks like.

 

[Jaymacgee]

View attachment 183360
There's no wallpaper there so to speak so if the one you have viewed is wallpaper maybe it has had a problem or is a very old one. Is iit the wood that's spongy? This is what our dinette area looks like.

Hi it under the front seat of the dinette, in the storage area, right in the bottom corner of the external wall, just behind the driver's seat. The little bit I am talking about, 3cm across, just caves in when you press it, like the wood behind it is just mush.

 

[irnbru]

I wouldn't like the sound of that going into mush. Clearly a problem but might not cost too much to fix if price was right. How old is it and where is it? We are heading up from the south. Could maybe have stopped by.

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[The Dotties]

I feel as if I have bought a duff un. My autotrail Dakota 2011 is dry, no damp, spent literally nothing on mechanicals or hab other than the hab check each year.

I can't join in the discussions on damp cause I don't have any. I feel left out, going to throw a bucket of dirty water inside.
Geoff

 

[Jaymacgee]

I wouldn't like the sound of that going into mush. Clearly a problem but might not cost too much to fix if price was right. How old is it and where is it? We are heading up from the south. Could maybe have stopped by.

What a kind offer. Both vans we saw are near Inverness, so guessing that it beyond your destination, unfortunately. The mushy one is a 2009 model.

 

[androidGB]

The previous owner of my van had similar work carried out professionally in 2014 and it cost around £2200 including VAT if that gives you some idea

Andrew

 

[raysalaugh]

We had a 2009 AT Scout same layout as the Apache 700. It wasn't 3 years old when we had to have all the
waist seals renewed due to sealant not adhering to panels, gas locker, rear locker door cases all removed and refitted
I had bought private, when I contacted AT they said not our problem. Cost £700 to repair, followed a few months
later by water pouring in from the sealant failing round the dinette window, another £150 to fix.
Sounds like the mush you describe is caused by the same problem. They had a lot of build quality problems around
2009- 2010. Earlier vans are better quality and newer ones (2012 on) have improved. Well there was room for it

Ray

 

[irnbru]

Ours is a 2010, had a little water coming in through top marker light at one point but it's fixed and a great van despite all the Scottish rain.

For something to be mush I would say the damp reading should be much higher than 25. Perhaps the leak has stopped and its drying out.

I think if it was me I would be taking readings every few inches in all directions to see if it can be pinpointed. It's where the cab meets the hab and at battery compartment. Supposing the leak has stopped isn't there something you guys inject into the wood to strengthen it, I guess it all depends on how mushy it is...soft to touch or falling apart rot. And if you can negotiate a better deal.

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[tonka]

View attachment 183360
There's no wallpaper there so to speak so if the one you have viewed is wallpaper maybe it has had a problem or is a very old one. Is iit the wood that's spongy? This is what our dinette area looks like.

@irnbru that version of the 700 with the wooden wallboards is actually the "odd one out"..
Previous 700's had the wallpaper type covering.. Then for around 2 years then made some with that wooden style inner walls. My friend had a 2008 model and that was same as yours.. They then moved back to the fabric / wallpaper type.. My 2012 apache 700 is the same as my old 2005 model..
So it's not a cover up or modification just a play around with the model..

 

[Northernraider]

Unless the van is thousands cheaper than another of the same model then why give yourself the hassle what can start as a leak in one area can spread through the van depending how it's parked water will run and pool in other areas and unfortunately it doesn't show up immediately

There are always more vans come up for sale it's sods law that as soon as you buy one there will be 2 or 3 in the following week.
It pays to bide your time and the right van is out there

 

[CazPaul]

Yes don't rush there will be plenty of vans coming up for sale now that September is here and for the next 4 or 5 months, no rush at all.

 

[mitzimad]

lincoln show at the end of september may suit you plenty of used vans there

 

[irnbru]

Just a thought, sorry if I have missed it and you have already mentioned it but remember you need to have your C1 licence to drive an Apache 700

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[lucas70]

Read this post with interest as we are newbies and have just recently purchased a 2004 Frankia i700 comfort. We ran all over the country looking at mohos before settling on frankly. Our observations where that you have to take dealers with a pinch of salt some good some awful. We when to Edinburgh to look at some Hymers, only to find them very expensive and in poor condition. Another dealer in Scotland had a nice Kontiki but wanted a non refundable deposit of £3000. We soon realised that the German A class (after seeing and researching many models) appeared to be the best quality hence buying our Frankia. After seeing the much higher standard of finish on German vehicles overall our suggestion would be to check them out you will find a low mileage well maintained and dry quality vehicle eventually

 

[Jaymacgee]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. Excited to tell you that after walking away, we reviewed our priorities and ... bought a brand new one! We decided we just wanted to get on with it, and to have as worry-free start to motorhoming as possible. So we have paid our deposit on an in-stock Bailey 665 which will be ready for us in two weeks. Well aware of it drawbacks (lack of external storage etc) but loving its layout, style and general shiny newness. Feel we got a good deal, with some valuable extras added free of charge to a reduced price. All the family is really looking forward to bring Budge home (licence plate is BUJ!)

 

[Blue Knight]

Great news Jay - you must be chuffed

Andrew