How many miles are too many miles?

[Speedytriple]

Looking for my first van, something like a Sprinter, Crafter or Iveco converted panel van.

I have a max budget of 20k (which i know isnt much in the campervan world) however all the ones ive seen that are reasonably well spec'd and kitted out nicely seem to have well over 150k on the clock.

What would you guys consider to be too many miles on a used van?

And where would be my best place to look for a van around the 20k mark? Ive checked out all the usual sources, Ebay, Auto Trader etc but everything i see just isnt quite there.

Thanks in advance.

 

[almichie]

Its a big old catch 22, more miles means less problems mechanically on a commercial engine, however - more miles also means (as we have found out) more wear on the coach built part of the motorhome.

All that said, if the van conversion w ain’t done from new you might have a high miler with good condition in the rear!

 

[Carpmart]

Many van conversions will have had a first life, with their rear conversion done after their first life is over. LCV are designed with huge duty cycles on their engines. You see them at auction with 300-500k miles and not three years old. So if the vans a decent one, the mileage isn’t really a problem with good maintenance.

 

[Lenny HB]

How long is a piece of string, for a normal Motorhome 8000 to 10000 a year but for one that's been converted from a previous life as a panel van it's probably done 30k a year until it was converted.

Just smiffy bought a 2012 Ducato that has done 120k it has an excellant professional conversion and looks really good he is very pleased with it.

 

[Littlewheels]

So many threads are posted about breakdowns, and it’s noticeable that the majority are in low mileage relatively new MH’s you rarely get posts where the vehicle has done 100k on the clock….just a thought.

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[Speedytriple]

Thanks guys,

That actually makes me feel a bit better about being a pauper

 

[chaser]

Thanks guys,

That actually makes me feel a bit better about being a pauper

If you really want to save some money, buy a decommissioned ambulance and do it yourself, maybe £10000 all in including van and conversion but then you will be looking at 200 k miles on the clock.

 

[Flairy]

Don’t worry about mileage it’s better high mileage than a motorhome that’s sat for 10 years,

 

[Just smiffy]

How long is a piece of string, for a normal Motorhome 8000 to 10000 a year but for one that's been converted from a previous life as a panel van it's probably done 30k a year until it was converted.

Just smiffy bought a 2012 Ducato that has done 120k it has an excellant professional conversion and looks really good he is very pleased with it.

Pleased with mine, as long as it’s got a good service record and good oil changes a high mileage van will keep going.

Mine drives very well and smooth.. coming up to 130k now….

 

[Speedytriple]

If you really want to save some money, buy a decommissioned ambulance and do it yourself, maybe £10000 all in including van and conversion but then you will be looking at 200 k miles on the clock.

If i was going to do it myself i'd probably buy an ex welfare van. I like those and theyre nearly there already


Like this However Mrs Speedytriple kicked off when i mentioned a project, as i already have a motorbike, a track car and a road car.. So really it needs to be relatively ready to rock.

Thanks

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[PeterCarole29]

Its a big old catch 22, more miles means less problems mechanically on a commercial engine, however - more miles also means (as we have found out) more wear on the coach built part of the motorhome.

All that said, if the van conversion w ain’t done from new you might have a high miler with good condition in the rear!

This is exactly what our van is, an ex main dealer Renault master 2017 delivery van with 230,000 miles sometimes had 2 services a year absolutely superb condition the engine just pers the rear is only 2 yrs old now from a new conversion.so everything is almost new

Its nice to here someone else has a simular view on high milage but when we sell it soon it will reflect in the selling price
My view on something like this and other conversions (homebuild )is value of parts fitted and value of the high milage van put together

 

[chaser]

If i was going to do it myself i'd probably buy an ex welfare van. I like those and theyre nearly there already


Like this However Mrs Speedytriple kicked off when i mentioned a project, as i already have a motorbike, a track car and a road car.. So really it needs to be relatively ready to rock.

Thanks

As you say it's what you want, there is a couple on YouTube who bought an ambulance and spent three weeks doing it up but keeping all the cupboards and stuff as it came , last time I heard of them they were in Venice in it.
And I think that came in at less than ten grand.

 

[Lenny HB]

If i was going to do it myself i'd probably buy an ex welfare van. I like those and theyre nearly there already


Like this However Mrs Speedytriple kicked off when i mentioned a project, as i already have a motorbike, a track car and a road car.. So really it needs to be relatively ready to rock.

Thanks

Love the loo with a view.

 

[chaser]

This is exactly what our van is, an ex main dealer Renault master 2017 delivery van with 230,000 miles sometimes had 2 services a year absolutely superb condition the engine just pers the rear is only 2 yrs old now from a new conversion.so everything is almost new

Its nice to here someone else has a simular view on high milage but when we sell it soon it will reflect in the selling price
My view on something like this and other conversions (homebuild )is value of parts fitted and value of the high milage van put together

This is ours in gravelines last week,I know most have seen it many times but for others who havnt.
We have had this 5 years now , converted it myself , passed MOT every year with only minor advisories.
It has now done 258000 miles and drives like new.

 

[chaser]

If i was going to do it myself i'd probably buy an ex welfare van. I like those and theyre nearly there already


Like this However Mrs Speedytriple kicked off when i mentioned a project, as i already have a motorbike, a track car and a road car.. So really it needs to be relatively ready to rock.

Thanks

I might be a bit dim but where's the bed in this one?

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[Spriddler]

And where would be my best place to look for a van around the 20k mark? Ive checked out all the usual sources, Ebay, Auto Trader etc but everything i see just isnt quite there.

Where are you located?
Bear in mind the distance you would have to travel to take it back to the seller if it has any warranty.
There are a lot of scams with 'bargain prices' on websites so don't part with any money whatsoever unless you have seen it in the flesh.

 

[Dazzola]

I bought and converted my van at 112k miles, we have done 12k miles in the last 15 months and I use it every single day, my only transport and it's been faultless, it's due oil and fluid change and then we are off for 17 days in Scotland, with absolutely no fear! Buy on condition, not miles.

 

[Lenny HB]

I might be a bit dim but where's the bed in this one?

It's a welfare van whatever that is, not a camper.
So I agree you are dim today Charlie.

 

[chaser]

It's a welfare van whatever that is, not a camper.
So I agree you are dim today Charlie.

Yeah but he wants to use it as a motorhome.

 

[Jez1966]

It's a welfare van whatever that is, not a camper.
So I agree you are dim today Charlie.

Welfare van is basically a mobile tea room/canteen, you sit inside to eat.
Have seem some lwb with toilet but mostly not.

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[MaidinDevon]

I am reading this with interest, as I am considering buying a van, and then getting it converted to my design.
However, I know nothing about buying a commercial vehicle.

Why is a patient transport ambulance desirable?
Any recommendations for good websites?
I am considering 5 4m to fit in my parking space.
Sorry if I have hijacked your thread.

Karen

 

[oldiesontour]

Look at repaired cat S.(Carefully).I have 3 cars
2017,2019,2020. And the van 2020.all repaired cat S .All only had minor panel damage.Theres a 2021 Movano on eBay 27k miles £13.5k(no mention of vat) ,my experience is that if you're going to keep it a while the cat S bit becomes less of a concern(devaluation factor with time),Takes a bit longer to find one but in my opinion well worth it, I've bought and run nothing but for years now.

 

[tinkertaylor]

Look at repaired cat S.(Carefully).I have 3 cars
2017,2019,2020. And the van 2020.all repaired cat S .All only had minor panel damage.Theres a 2021 Movano on eBay 27k miles £13.5k(no mention of vat) ,my experience is that if you're going to keep it a while the cat S bit becomes less of a concern(devaluation factor with time),Takes a bit longer to find one but in my opinion well worth it, I've bought and run nothing but for years now.

More to insure?

 

[oldiesontour]

More to insure?

No.
And as a point of Interest my wife was hit while driving a repaired cat S car last year ( that we had only owned for 6 months,the guilty party insurer paid us 35% more than we had paid for it.Just had daughters car MOT this morning (she's had it a year not been touched) straight through.My van goes in Thursday.
Would also add my van was front end ,new rads,bumper moulding bonnet,light no other damage ..all bolt on.
When I removed ply lining to convert I found it had a 300mm by circa 70 mm dent in one side that had been repaired,not part of cat S so would never have known if I had bought it on a forecourt (very professional repair no visible evidence)probably happened in it's 1st yr/18 months

 

[tinkertaylor]

Mines had some front end passenger side damage, unrecorded. When I brought it I mentioned it to the seller who agreed there had been damage. The pattern panel, front wing, rusted quite quickly so I replaced it with genuine 2nd hand one, straight bolt on. Mines a 2016 boxer, it's now done 170k, converted at 160k. Ford puma engine and it runs well, 30mpg, gearbox all good and no smoke.

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[chesterfield hooligan]

Our 2013 PVC sprinter 316 and has just clicked over 400,000 miles on the way back from Portugal still averaging 30mpg I consider the vans now in retirement like me. I would worry more about a van that's done 10,000 miles in 10 years than higher miles

 

[Manxcat]

We got our new motorhome on 15 March. Just done 2,000 miles.

 

[oldiesontour]

There may be some truth in standing vans not being so good,but on a high mileage van it's not just the engine that has done the work,hinges,seats,bushes,locks, suspension,steering,the steering wheel,gear knob etc etc.Also how many times has it been bumped filled and part painted in 300k.
I would very much doubt that a 300k van gives the same ride as a 10k van, just some of the reasons high mileage vans are cheaper than average mileage vans which are cheaper than low mileage vans at any age

 

[Dazzola]

My 123k van drives just as it should, no advisories on last few mot tests, is nearly silent on the road due to the sound tiles and insulation, everything was fixed in place over tiny felt pads to stop any squeaky bits.
My sliding door is a little rough on the rollers but they'll be changed soon.
And the back door hinges need a regular lube, apart from that it just feels like a 20k mile machine.
I do think using it everyday helps them, they are built for hard use, lots of stop start stuff and lugging 1t pallets all day, a camper conversion is a relatively easy life!

 

[PeterCarole29]

There may be some truth in standing vans not being so good,but on a high mileage van it's not just the engine that has done the work,hinges,seats,bushes,locks, suspension,steering,the steering wheel,gear knob etc etc.Also how many times has it been bumped filled and part painted in 300k.
I would very much doubt that a 300k van gives the same ride as a 10k van, just some of the reasons high mileage vans are cheaper than average mileage vans which are cheaper than low mileage vans at any age

I think everything you say is right especially about price. but there will always be exceptions .And i think its price that dictates most including me to buy high milage but i am very picky what high mileage van i buy. as not all are the same.