Help checking a van out in North Merseyside

[kurvengeisst]

Hello all, I feel slightly embarrassed asking this but here goes, shy bairns get nowt as my mum used to say. After a few months searching, I've found a van with a dealer in the Preston area that fits our needs and budget; it would be our first MH. Ive read some horror stories here and other places about potential for getting this decision seriously wrong, and also read some advice to ask this group for help. So I was wondering if there's anybody experienced in the area who would be kind enough to help a newbie give a van the once over? - Free beer as much as a person can drink, our eternal gratitude and anything else I should offer in return!

 

[haganap]

What sort of help are you looking for?

It's OK asking to see the van, I've done that for a few people. In fact I'm taking credit for selling two vans this month .. by working with the purchasers to find suitable vans thar would suit their needs.

It's good to ask as it's easy to get blinged when you can only see the positives in anything because your mind is made up on the way. Remember its easy to forget you are going to look and not buy.

So what is it you want? A damp check? A full on engine assessment?

Being a hymer like this, my first impressions are that it's clean and tidy. But evidently only you will know if that layout is going to work for you. If I were looking for a van in this budget I would definitely consider it.
My problem with looking at it is that I'm happy to do so but I only go to the area once per week or less and therefore you may miss out on it.

I say go and have a look yourself and us funsters will furnish you with some questions you might want answerd which will help you see through the bullshit.

 

[kurvengeisst]

Thanks Peter, I’d agree re Red Lion, they give the impression that their used MHs will sell themselves! I suspect they’ve had it a long time and never cleaned the outside, The salesperson I spoke to about how mossy it looks said the hose pipe doesn’t reach that far down the yard - you wouldn’t think it has wheels…

 

[kurvengeisst]

Yes they are. It means squatting down to reach into them. I was happy to do it, but hubster didn’t like it.

Ask the salesman if the one your interested in has a double floor, it’s good to have as warmer in winter.

Check every cupboard, lift all the cushions to check for damp, their likely won’t be any but don’t be rushed by the salesman take your time. Check the taps and heating too. Oh and the roof lights & windows.

Just imagine yourselves on holiday in it, how you would use it. Storage is key.

If it was further South we would come to help you but alas it’s not.

Ah you’re very kind thank you, a bit of advice has been very useful thanks for taking the time.

 

[kurvengeisst]

What sort of help are you looking for?

It's OK asking to see the van, I've done that for a few people. In fact I'm taking credit for selling two vans this month .. by working with the purchasers to find suitable vans thar would suit their needs.

It's good to ask as it's easy to get blinged when you can only see the positives in anything because your mind is made up on the way. Remember its easy to forget you are going to look and not buy.

So what is it you want? A damp check? A full on engine assessment?

Being a hymer like this, my first impressions are that it's clean and tidy. But evidently only you will know if that layout is going to work for you. If I were looking for a van in this budget I would definitely consider it.
My problem with looking at her thanks it is that I'm happy to do so but I only go to the area once per week or less and therefore you may miss out on it.

I say go and have a look yourself and us funsters will furnish you with some questions you might want answerd which will help you see through the bullshit.

What sort of help are you looking for?

It's OK asking to see the van, I've done that for a few people. In fact I'm taking credit for selling two vans this month .. by working with the purchasers to find suitable vans thar would suit their needs.

It's good to ask as it's easy to get blinged when you can only see the positives in anything because your mind is made up on the way. Remember its easy to forget you are going to look and not buy.

So what is it you want? A damp check? A full on engine assessment?

Being a hymer like this, my first impressions are that it's clean and tidy. But evidently only you will know if that layout is going to work for you. If I were looking for a van in this budget I would definitely consider it.
My problem with looking at it is that I'm happy to do so but I only go to the area once per week or less and therefore you may miss out on it.

I say go and have a look yourself and us funsters will furnish you with some questions you might want answerd which will help you see through the bullshit.

Hello there, yeah I had a look at it last weekend and i got to the limit of what I know to ask and check, came back still ken and read a post from another newbie last month who spent similar on buying a pup from a dealer. - sat up and paid attention then ! It’s really the engine that troubles me I lift the bonnet on a car and it looks like a plate of spaghetti to me I’m clueless. I’m phlegmatic if it goes, I’d rather be sure but if you’re up for it let me know when you’re around and I’ll organise to see you up there!

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[haganap]

Hello there, yeah I had a look at it last weekend and i got to the limit of what I know to ask and check, came back still ken and read a post from another newbie last month who spent similar on buying a pup from a dealer. - sat up and paid attention then ! It’s really the engine that troubles me I lift the bonnet on a car and it looks like a plate of spaghetti to me I’m clueless. I’m phlegmatic if it goes, I’d rather be sure but if you’re up for it let me know when you’re around and I’ll organise to see you up there!

If this is your major concern then consider a an AA rac used car inspection.

They give a once over for a fee. You could place a deposit Subject to an inspection being carried out.
They can even warranty.

However i would say. That that engine is one of the most reliable and best made. Simply because there's little electronics on it....

 

[Figaro]

The engines are pretty robust with not a lot to go wrong if it's been serviced regularly.
Check for smoke from the exhaust, check the oil and coolant.
Have you had a test drive ?
Check it pulls and brakes smoothly, no pulling to the side or strange clunking noises.
Ask for evidence of when the cambelt was last changed.

 

[kurvengeisst]

If this is your major concern then consider a an AA rac used car inspection.

They give a once over for a fee. You could place a deposit Subject to an inspection being carried out.
They can even warranty.

However i would say. That that engine is one of the most reliable and best made. Simply because there's little electronics on it....

Cheers Hagnap, I was thinking I’d do that for peace of mind regardless, It was the extreme oil leak that caused an mot fail in April 22 that made me think twice - would that put you off?

 

[Just smiffy]

Cheers Hagnap, I was thinking I’d do that for peace of mind regardless, It was the extreme oil leak that caused an mot fail in April 22 that made me think twice - would that put you off?

The fiat’s had trouble with their sump pans and that could have been the oil leak, it would have been an easy inexpensive fix if that was the case…

 

[kurvengeisst]

The engines are pretty robust with not a lot to go wrong if it's been serviced regularly.
Check for smoke from the exhaust, check the oil and coolant.
Have you had a test drive ?
Check it pulls and brakes smoothly, no pulling to the side or strange clunking noises.
Ask for evidence of when the cambelt was last changed.

This is Very good, I’m getting reassurance that these are basically sound bits of kit, there’s no guarantees obviously, and I understand the pros and cons of buying an older van.. what’s also great is I’ve got lots of consistent advice on a list of things to check that I feel comfortable I could do…. Be good to kick the tyres with someone who’s done it before, but if not, I might book a test drive and go through my new list - can’t do any harm!

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[Fdhadi]

I was really hoping you weren’t going to say Red Lion.
Personally, give them a very very wide berth, don’t say I didn’t tell you so.
Sorry I know it’s not you want to hear, but be warned.

My son in law would be the one to ask but is not on here. He knows from experience.
Please, keep away.

 

[kurvengeisst]

I was really hoping you weren’t going to say Red Lion.
Personally, give them a very very wide berth, don’t say I didn’t tell you so.
Sorry I know it’s not you want to hear, but be warned.

My son in law would be the one to ask but is not on here. He knows from experience.
Please, keep away.

Thanks for the tip Fdhadi, be interested to hear more if your son in law has some details. They are not an impressive outfit for sure so I’m kind of expecting the worst from them.

 

[Just smiffy]

I was really hoping you weren’t going to say Red Lion.
Personally, give them a very very wide berth, don’t say I didn’t tell you so.
Sorry I know it’s not you want to hear, but be warned.

My son in law would be the one to ask but is not on here. He knows from experience.
Please, keep away.

You can’t say this without any reason why….

 

[Fdhadi]

Well he was told the van had a clear bill of health, full hab service but no documentation was supplied but said it was to follow but never did. £7500 damp repair needed just months after the 3 month warranty had passed, he’s too embarrassed to talk about it because I’d told him to walk away in the first place.

A lot of the vans they sell are ex rental.

Honestly, walk away, no don’t walk, RUN.

 

[haganap]

Well he was told the van had a clear bill of health, full hab service but no documentation was supplied but said it was to follow but never did. £7500 damp repair needed just months after the 3 month warranty had passed, he’s too embarrassed to talk about it because I’d told him to walk away in the first place.

A lot of the vans they sell are ex rental.

Honestly, walk away, no don’t walk, RUN.

Surely would depend on the van construction though.?

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[Fdhadi]

Not quite sure about that, think any van construction can have ingress.

 

[kurvengeisst]

Well he was told the van had a clear bill of health, full hab service but no documentation was supplied but said it was to follow but never did. £7500 damp repair needed just months after the 3 month warranty had passed, he’s too embarrassed to talk about it because I’d told him to walk away in the first place.

A lot of the vans they sell are ex rental.

Honestly, walk away, no don’t walk, RUN.

Thanks Fdhadi, I can understand he will want to put that behind him, I try to avoid warranties, they're usually disappointing..

 

[Figaro]

A lot of the vans they sell are ex rental.

Honestly, walk away, no don’t walk, RUN.

Rentals are usually much newer than this Hymer.
Reports of a bad experience like your sons would make me cautious but not put me off if everything else seemed to stack up.

 

[scotzsue]

Note it is a 4 berth, but saw no signs of additional seatbelts, if you need 4 belts buy pone with 4 belts, well nigh impossible to retrofit.

 

[kurvengeisst]

Rentals are usually much newer than this Hymer.
Reports of a bad experience like your sons would make me cautious but not put me off if everything else seemed to stack up.

Yes I saw their fleet of rentals round the back they were mainly newish panel conversions. I'm not put off, but def wary, this is useful Intel. I bumped into a chappie while on their site on Sat who had a face like a burst proverbial lugging a very big caravan around their yard. I asked what's up did he need a hand? - but. He didn't he was just really angry. he'd bought this a brand new £44k caravan from them a month ago (didnt know it was possible to spend that much on an engine less MH ), and it had a series of faults so unable to use it, but he couldn't understand why they weren't being straight with him, lying about small things like the TV reception working on site when he could prove otherwise...

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[kurvengeisst]

Note it is a 4 berth, but saw no signs of additional seatbelts, if you need 4 belts buy pone with 4 belts, well nigh impossible to retrofit.

Cheers my friend it's just the two of us, 'we' like the idea of four berth so I can retire to the west wing in the event of a few beers and a bout of snoring.. 3 metres distance will mean my better half will not be able to hold my nose, shake me awake or otherwise disturb my sleep - I am the main driver after all..

 

[LithiumConvert]

Yes Southport used to be in Lancashire but it’s now Merseyside

That was a long (long) time ago.

The PR post code covers a huge area - some in Merseyside, the rest in Lancashire.

 

[LithiumConvert]

Check the weights.
What is the registered maximum weight?
What does it actually weigh?
What is the available payload? Is it enough for you?

 

[The Coops]

It is a local van, the PO postcode was used by what is now Prestons/Campbells in the Preston area who were the Hymer dealers back then, as for Red Lion, I have no knowledge other than a passing glance! Have you looked at Todds, Signature or as someone else has mentioned Motorlands?

 

[kurvengeisst]

It is a local van, the PO postcode was used by what is now Prestons/Campbells in the Preston area who were the Hymer dealers back then, as for Red Lion, I have no knowledge other than a passing glance! Have you looked at Todds, Signature or as someone else has mentioned Motorlands?

Ill have a look, I'm not local to the area, but I do like a road trip

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[MisterB]

i think your instinct is telling you to walk away but your wallet is telling you it might be ok ..... which do you trust the most?
There are lots of motorhomes for sale up and down the country, why take a chance on one that youre unsure of ? If the dealer cant even be bothered to keep it clean and offers an excuse you know doesnt ring true or make sense, doesnt that tell you something about the dealers?

I would take a look in the classifieds on this forum and even post an advert for the make and model that youre looking for, someone out there may be thinking of selling/part exchanging their motorhome and you might nudge them over the line?

 

[Langtoftlad]

Are you pushing your budget?
Will you have some in reserve if you do find it needs some expensive repairs?

 

[Cal54]

I’m a great fan of Todd’s at Lostock Hall. They aren’t the cheapest but I’ve bought several vans off them over the years and can’t fault their knowledge and after sales service.

 

[Terry]

I’m surprised that we have no members living close to this dealership that is willing to have a look at the van for you apart from Paul ( haganap ) I f I was you I would take up his offer and meet him asap Paul has had a lot of MHs and he’s very clued up on them. I would trust his judgment If the van has been sat since 22 I wouldn’t worry about missing out on it.
Buy yourself a damp meter from Amazon etc pin type from £12 or pinless under £30 and use it in/ around your home to get used to use it. Anything under 15 is good - 15 to 25 needs investigating anything above walk away unless you know what you’re doing. Take it with you and do your own damp test, don’t trust the dealers reading. Sorry we live about 2 1/2 hours away or I would help and advise you

 

[The Coops]

Wrong thread!

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[Aly1]

I live a few miles from this dealership but unfortunately know nothing about engines! Red Lion always used to just have caravans and moved to that site a few years ago. They only used to have a few motorhomes for sale but the last few times I’ve driven past there have been dozens of vans so they have obviously been buying loads in.
I went in with a friend about 18 months ago when she was looking to buy a van and as has been said the vans hadn’t been valeted. I wasn’t impressed with the salesman we spoke to either.