Excited to join the Club!

[Reanderthal]

Hello everyone,
My fiancee and I have been offered a 1988 Mercedes 207d Autotrail, at a very attractive price. It's passed its MOT, and the rust isn't anything we can't fix. However, the seller is on holiday and wasn't clear on which variant it is, and what it weighs. It's currently SORN in a remote place (from us) and we can't visit anytime soon to check the MAM plate. Can anyone help us figure out if it's a Cherokee, an Apache, or a Sioux, and whether we will need C1 licenses to drive it...?

 

[KASPAR]

This gives limited info:

https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/VehicleFound?locale=en

 

[Jo662]

 

[Richard n Ann]

Be VERY careful buying something you haven't seen, there are hundreds of scammers selling vans and they always make excuses why the van isn't available for viewing

 

[AlunandFelicie]

Agree with the above post , as always if it sounds too good to be true it probably is

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

 

[David and Sally]

 

[Figaro]

Please tell us you've viewed it and had it thoroughly checked over ?

. . . and not parted with any cash yet ?

That's quite a mature classic, could be good to go but at the same time could be a whole heap of problems.
Don't know about weight, but I'd guess +3.5 tonne so C1 needed.

Looks like a MB Vario, Northernraider is knowledgeable about them.

 

[Northernraider]

Be very very very wary if you haven't seen this in person .

They rust for fun and it isn't a question of if it's leaked I can guarantee it has , several times . My parents had an autotrail cherokee of this vintage back around 1993 , it leaked then .

The chassis will most likely be sound but the windscreen surround , inner wings , wheel arches, door steps etc etc will be rotten or welded up countless times.

Not a van for the faint hearted I promise you

 

[Swifter]

As above . Stay well clear

 

[f6c]

Welcome aboard

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

 

[Dave and Jen]

Sounds very scammy to me -make sure you can see it before committing....
Cheers, Dave

 

[Mohawk Mo]

 

[Cookieboy68]

 

[InvictaMoto]

Had to drive a 309D van for work back in the 90's. Even that rusted to buggery in less than 5 years. Luckily I just drove it and hadn't paid for it! Mind you in that time it clocked up over 200k miles. Oil checked every morning before the "off"....

 

[Richard n Ann]

That excited they've not been back

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

 

[PP Bear]

Having once been in your position, paying £5k down on a van that I hadn’t seen, just to secure it, then watch it disappear along with my money, I’d not part with a single penny until I’d sat in it, seen the seller, seen the SORN paperwork etc, as most scammers are away on holiday, sorry it’s parked somewhere where you can’t view it yet etc etc etc. Lovely old van, but please take care and all the precautions you can.

Oh and welcome.

 

[Spriddler]

It has only done 640 miles in the past 6 years and been riddled with corrosion and rust for years, plus wear (and poor maintenance) problems. Avoid!
See its MOT history here:

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?registration=f445hnu&checkRecalls=true

 

[Swifter]

It has only done 640 miles in the past 6 years and been riddled with corrosion and rust for years, plus wear (and poor maintenance) problems. Avoid!
See its MOT history here:

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?registration=f445hnu&checkRecalls=true

Not sure how that vehicle is even allowed on the road .

 

[ambulancekidd]

 

[Mikey RV]

If it was brand new I would love it. But no way would I go near it personally. The rust you can see is just a tiny portion of what you can’t see. You would be better off buying Tams motorhome in the classified on here and also on eBay.

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

 

[Brize]

Welcome.

If you cannot view it before purchase, walk away.

If it's as rusty as Northernraider assumes, walk away.

Sounds like a scam.

 

[Reanderthal]

Wow, what an amazing set of responses!
I assumed I would get notified if my post got any reactions, so I'm only just seeing these (- never assume!).
Going back to the top to reply individually to you all...

 

[Reanderthal]

This gives limited info:

https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/VehicleFound?locale=en

Thanks Kaspar, that is a great resource that I didn't know about.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Wow, what an amazing set of responses!
I assumed I would get notified if my post got any reactions, so I'm only just seeing these (- never assume!).
Going back to the top to reply individually to you all...

You only get 5 posts until you pay subscription

 

[Reanderthal]

Be VERY careful buying something you haven't seen, there are hundreds of scammers selling vans and they always make excuses why the van isn't available for viewing

Thanks for the advice! We have experience the scamminess (without falling foul of it) on various platforms, esp FB.
This vehicle is being sold by an acquaintance, and we have visited it several times, and seen its various warts, rusts, and leaks for ourselves, and even left some stuff in it. The problem is that it belonged to the seller's late husband who administered all the details and paperwork, and as an older driver, she forgot that we youngsters require the C1 license, so she neglected to clarify its weight category before going on holiday. We are going to see its VIN plate later this week...

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

 

[Reanderthal]

Be very very very wary if you haven't seen this in person .

They rust for fun and it isn't a question of if it's leaked I can guarantee it has , several times . My parents had an autotrail cherokee of this vintage back around 1993 , it leaked then .

The chassis will most likely be sound but the windscreen surround , inner wings , wheel arches, door steps etc etc will be rotten or welded up countless times.

Not a van for the faint hearted I promise you

Thanks for sharing your experience. It has indeed leaked a fair bit.
Considering the sub £5K price, we are planning to perhaps SORN it ourselves and use it as a temporary home while saving for an upgrade or for the repairs it may need, especially if it does indeed weigh over 3.5T.

 

[Spriddler]

We are going to see its VIN plate later this week...

It's passed its MOT, and the rust isn't anything we can't fix.

Do you have fabricating and welding equipment and experience? If not, get it looked at by someone who does have it.
Rust is always far more extensive than what's on view and in motorhomes it's often necessary to remove internal equipment, wiring, pipes, furniture units and floor coverings because of the risk of heat damage and fire.
I've been restoring classic vehicles for 40 years so been there and seen it all - (far too often).

 

[Go_buddy_go_]