First time buyer question

[MattyJ81]

Hi, I'm purchasing a t4 campervan. Around 10k, 170k miles, cam belt water pump etc all done recently. My only concern (apart from.spending 10grand) is the last mot. The advisory list is attached. Not really a mechanic guy, all sounds mild but also terrifying. Any advice on the advisories?

Thanks

 

[f6c]

Welcome aboard

 

[Go_buddy_go_]

 

[Jev88]

You need to budget for new brake lines, new brakes, new pads, new shocks and maybe springs. Assuming the chassis isn't in need of welding.

 

[Burge]

I'd walk away , some of the work carried out not 100% , plenty of vehicles out there

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[Tonks]

You need to budget for new brake lines, new brakes, new pads, new shocks and maybe springs. Assuming the chassis isn't in need of welding.

This. All the stuff in the first sentence is straightforward. As an addition to the second sentence, T4s are notorious for rotting out the floor pans, and they can be VERY hard to get hold of and very expensive if you need one as only a few are pressed each year now. So if you are serious about buying this van, get someone who knows what they're doing and who you trust to take a proper serious look at the underneath. If you decide to buy, budget for keeping up with bodywork care (especially the bits you can't see!) ongoing. Obviously an older van will need some doing from time to time, but with T4s it doesn't pay to leave this type of work. I generally get a good look at the underneath of my T5 each time it's serviced, and get surface issues dealt with before they become bigger problems.

There are fewer and fewer really nice T4s about now, so if you get one it'll be worth keeping it in good nick. Good luck!

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Hello and welcome.
Just as an aside, do check what the maximum load carrying capacity is for the T4.
Not entirely sure but I thought it was 2800kg on the swb.
Lwb may be greater?
After a conversion (sink, cupboards, bed etc) I am not sure if you will have a big enough usable payload.
Some converters will also not put pop-top roofs on a T4 for the same reason.
I hope I am wrong and maybe your usage will be just as a van to carry occupants and camping gear, and not to have it fully kitted out, but think you need to look into the carrying capacity, Axle loadings etc.
I wish you well in your endeavours.

 

[MattyJ81]

Thanks for all the advice everyone....decided to pull out back to searching again lol

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Thanks for all the advice everyone....decided to pull out back to searching again lol

I think, but am no expert, that you may have made a wise decision.
Why not look at T5 models if you want conversion and a pop- top.
Max load is 3000kg .
Unconverted and
in the raw with 3 front seats they come in at about 1830kg and mine, a 2005 1.9td T5 t30 came in at 2180 kg with full conversion, pop-top roof, compressor fridge, full 80ltrs Diesel. 12ltrs water. 3.5kg camping gaz cylinder and spare wheel, so with 2 adults at 75kg each and two small grand apprentices at 21kg each we are at just under 2400kg, leaving us with 600kg for food, awning, pots and pans and suchlike plus car seats and clothes.
Not massive I know, but you need to be fairly economical and realistic with what you can carry.
As for clothes. If you have ever ventured abroad with a 20kg max allowance, just see exactly what that does give you, and I suspect you don't need anywhere near that amount for a fun time of a few days away.
Just my thoughts though.
Good luck in your search.
Look on the VW pages on Facebook.
Some seriously good vans.
And don't let mileage put you off so long as the servicing has been carried out correctly and on time.