Campervan with 40k miles in a year, stay away????

[Snaporaz]

Hello,

I am new here and sorry if this has been discussed extensively somewhere else, or a silly question (part of me knows already the answer).

I am looking into buying a (my first) second-hand campervan. I am a bit in a budget and I have seen several things here and there. I have come across this Renault Traffic SL27 Business DCI from 2016, 1600, diesel. It has almost 108k miles on the clock and the price is good. He is a private seller, not a dealer! He had it since 2019 and before that the van had 4 previous owners.

I am quite skeptic as the MOT history sasy it did 41k miles in the first year this person had it (2019-2020). The conversion and the looks of the body are pretty new but I did not go see it in person yet. He says the conversion is very new (and looks as such), so I assume he might not have used it to live on the road, which would (partly) justify the milage. However, I can't exclude it had a previous conversion, but does not make much sense. I read some posts here on MHF saying to basically judge by the way it looks more than (overall) milage but 40k miles in a year is a lot. Should I stay away?

Thank you

 

[poppycamper]

Don't quite follow your thread.... when was conversion done???? Was it by last owner after he bought, and used it as a van... thus high mileage????

Ooh and WELCOME tae the madhoose

 

[DandG5515]

This is my take on the van, not the conversion, all new euro 5 vans had to be registered by September 2016. Renault had hundreds of new euro 5 in stock. They were pre registered and left in stock, later sold by Renault direct at massive discounts. (I only know this as I bought one in November 2016 at 50% discount and hence second owner). So that could explain the number of owners. Probably has a history of being a courier van, for a year or 2, is the logbook in the sellers name? And if so what has he used it for?

 

[NPea]

I would say that is pretty normal, it was a van and used as such hence the mileage. Then the owner had it converted - easiest way is just ask the seller. Not a problem if maintained properly

 

[Podney]

108000 miles is not a problem IF it’s been regularly and properly serviced…..oil changes,filters,timing belt. If it’s been used by a courier/ delivery service the clutch may have taken a hammering,no big deal if you’re getting it at the right price.

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[ChrisSue]

If it's close enough go and look but try to take an experienced campervanner with you. Be prepared to walk away. Use your head not your heart

 

[MichaelT]

Probably used as a delivery van then converted later. Maybe done in covid by an amateur so I'd be very wary personally and 1600 engine not very big.

 

[peterc10]

This is a commercial vehicle designed for high mileages and rough treatment. Think of Amazon, DPD etc couriers. Much better that way than sitting on a drive and only used for a few weeks. Engines, gearboxes and tyres are designed to be use regularly.

 

[Rapido925M]

My daughter bought a Maaxis camper advertised as 86000 miles. I went to look and it was 860 000! Turns out that they had a common fault which made them add thousands of miles to the speedo. Good luck

 

[Phill D]

You need to know the max weight limit of the 1600, and how much of that weight has been eaten up by the conversion.

You could end up with a van that has no capacity for any touring gear.

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[maison]

If you are on a limited budget it may be a good buy but don’t part with any money, (deposit), etc, before you have seen it in the metal.

Good luck.

 

[Brize]

You said you haven't seen it yet. Be careful of any scams, as there are a lot going around at the moment. If there are any excuses for putting you off viewing, walk away.

 

[Googlebot]

That mileage wouldn’t worry me.

We do about 10k a year in our motorhome.

For a van, 40k a year is normal use.