Would you buy a 5 year old Hymer with no service in last 3 years?

[EuroTrotters]

yes

 

[georgio]

There could be many vans available soon what with a cost of living rise and getting to the end of the season , if it has not been serviced, what else has been neglected ?

 

[Lenny HB]

Cam belt alone is £1013 that was on an A class b678DL at Adams Morey
Dont forget MOT as well?

I only paid ½ that at Adams Morley.

 

[Lenny HB]

I wouldn’t be concerned about lack of service but more concerned the van has spent a lot of its life standing around.
Brakes, clutch etc need careful checking, probably worth fitting new brake pads all round, also tyres may need replacing.

 

[Stewart J]

Modern Hymers are a dual aluminium construction so damp should not be an issue so as long as everything is working I would just ask for a certificated gas test I wouldn’t be bothered about paying for a habitation service a visual inspection would show up any damp.

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[Brains]

Me, depending on price, I'd go for it.
It's basically a brand new van.
Just allow for the cost of a full service, cam belt, oils, 4 x tyres and probably rusted brakes. (Wrong side of £2k)

It's a Hymer, so the lack of water ingress warranty should not be an issue, however as it's been standing still for so long, check the roof, as the puddles will have all been in exactly the same place every time it rained.

 

[Puddleduck]

If it was the van I really wanted I'd offer £3,000 to £2,500 less than asking (assuming the asking is reasonable) and get a full service including the cambelt, brakes, tyres etc changed myself.

 

[Soycd]

I'd go for it, but if you are worried then get it inspected? We had a Sunlight and the guy who eventually bought it paid to have a full inspection done at our place. I agreed, (his money) on the proviso that if someone else cam along in the mean time with an offer I'd sell to them.

 

[Lenny HB]

Modern Hymers are a dual aluminium construction so damp should not be an issue

It depends on the model only new models since 2016 have the aluminium sandwich.

 

[Speve]

I only paid ½ that at Adams Morley.

Ah but as I remember you had a bit of discount didn’t you? I think you had a really good price?
and I can’t be bothered bartering like you old skinflints

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[gus-lopez]

What would you do?

I'd buy it as long as it was 10k less than a decent one. I'd want it recovered to a garage for the belt , pump, service,oil, brake fluid, diesel drained out ,tank checked for algae, etc;etc,etc,
& remember the 10k wouldn't even cover the cost of an engine if it dropped the belt shortly after you bought it. You have to bear in mind the belt degrades even withoiut being used & in hot countries, like here in spain, the service life is 50% of north european countries.

There could be many vans available soon what with a cost of living rise and getting to the end of the season , if it has not been serviced, what else has been neglected ?

I wold me concerned about lack of service but more concerned the van has spent a lot of its life standing around.
Brakes, clutch etc need careful checking, probably worth fitting new brake pads all round, also tyres may need replacing.

^^^^^^^what these have both said. if the belt hasn't been done on time, which it hasn't , what else has he skimped on?

 

[Lenny HB]

Ah but as I remember you had a bit of discount didn’t you? I think you had a really good price?
and I can’t be bothered bartering like you old skinflints

I did get 100 quid off because of poor service when I used them before.
Their standard price for an A Class is £573.

 

[Speve]

I did get 100 quid off because of poor service when I used them before.
Their standard price for an A Class is £573.

my price was £560 for labour

 

[nicholsong]

Ah but as I remember you had a bit of discount didn’t you? I think you had a really good price?
and I can’t be bothered bartering like you old skinflints

People who do not barter get their bill loaded to pay for the discount the barterers get.

 

[Speve]

People who do not barter get their bill loaded to pay for the discount the barterers get.

Yes I probably do but at least it’s being helpful to Lenny HB

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[HeidiF]

Have you actually looked at the Hymer, the 444dl is sub 6 metres and the layout was not a popular one.

I’d buy it. Initially offering £1000 off for required work, and be hopeful of getting a deal. If not buy it and sort your self. I definitely wouldn’t want to work done by the person selling it. You will never know if it was done or not, it certainly won’t be the quantity parts, it will just be the cheap and basic stuff.

good point

 

[G14HOM]

It all boils down to what the dealers asking for the MH...if he is asking full retail price then he must provide a warranty with full service history....if the MH has a discounted price tag then the dealer has already factored in the fact that it hasn't been looked after as per book..he would have offered less when he bought the MH ....in he would then factor what he bought it in for with a lower retail asking price.

 

[muddygig]

We’re really keen to buy a 5 year old Hymer that’s up for sale through motorhome depot. It’s only done 3000 miles in the last 3 years and it hasn’t been serviced since the 2 year point. We’ve offered the asking price if it has a full service and cam belt change, the seller has said he’ll get an oil and filter change done but that’s our lot. I don’t know if we’re being over cautious or if the seller is hiding something. What would you do?

Hi , it’s annoying at present with dealers having so much confidence because of lack of supply but that’s tailing off I hope. You have have a dilemma don’t you and I’ve taken a while to think about this answer, I’m a qualified vehicle technician and obviously a MH owner.
If you’re happy the mileage is correct ( It sounds like you are ) and quite normal I would say after Covid to see such low mileage.
Im not aware of Hymers service schedule and what has been missed in those years ( do they advise cam belts that early as someone has mentioned?) but otherwise I wouldn’t worry that much to be honest but yes oil and filter is a must do. You’ve not mentioned a habitation check that would be the only major concern and I would have thought a motorhome centre would do that ? that’s what would hold me back if it hasn’t been done, unless of course you are getting it cheap which I don’t think you are . So in summary oil and filter, habitation check and if you love it go for it.

 

[wfdTamar]

At 5 years old it may not even be due a cam belt change (it could be a 7 year one). Very likely has standard services every 2 years (though I'd check in the owners manual to be sure about both those things). It probably only needs an oil & filter change (and checking the brakes for rust and possibly fluid change).

I don't know that I'd pay offer price unless it's an unusual (rare) layout I particularly liked. I'd go 5-10% lower. Wether you get it for that depends how desperate you are (or appear) and how much they want to sell. Any third party seller is keen to sell rather than achieve their asking price as moving stock is more important than achieving full asking price. Their commission on 95% is not much less than on 100% of the asking price and better than no sale.

 

[tonyysue]

With that low mileage it's obviously stood for long periods of time. This won't have helped the belts as they'll perish. Mine were changed after 4.5 years and were totally shot. I was fortunate they hadn't snapped.

I’m surprised at that statement - unless they have had oil on them how do you determine they are ‘totally shot’? I’ve had my 27 year
old Hymer for 22 years and the cambelts have been changed both on a time and mileage basis and all have appeared visually perfect at the point of change!

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[chaser]

All the doom and gloom posts are well unfounded, if the last owner bought this new there was no need for a service, at that milage and age before covid ,then if he wasn't using it why would he service it, so all that is well above board, ok, the cambelt now wants doing at that age and with standing but no need to be worried about it, we don't have any price so it might even be cheap enough to get it done yourself, which is best anyway, try to barter it down by all means but if the price is right and it's exactly what you want,get it bought but then drive it straight round to your chosen garage and get it done, don't start trying it out and things else it might get forgotten about again.

 

[chaser]

I’m surprised at that statement - unless they have had oil on them how do you determine they are ‘totally shot’? I’ve had my 27 year
old Hymer for 22 years and the cambelts have been changed both on a time and mileage basis and all have appeared visually perfect at the point of change!

I have seen many removed cambelts and all have looked like new.

 

[MrTVR]

I wouldn’t be concerned. Our 9 year old 20k mile fiat based Autotrail hadn’t had a belt change and was fine when we sold it. I’m pretty sure if the dealer had been concerned about the lack of belt change they would have used it as a reason to reduce what they offered for the van before they looked at the service history.

 

[HeidiF]

Hi , it’s annoying at present with dealers having so much confidence because of lack of supply but that’s tailing off I hope. You have have a dilemma don’t you and I’ve taken a while to think about this answer, I’m a qualified vehicle technician and obviously a MH owner.
If you’re happy the mileage is correct ( It sounds like you are ) and quite normal I would say after Covid to see such low mileage.
Im not aware of Hymers service schedule and what has been missed in those years ( do they advise cam belts that early as someone has mentioned?) but otherwise I wouldn’t worry that much to be honest but yes oil and filter is a must do. You’ve not mentioned a habitation check that would be the only major concern and I would have thought a motorhome centre would do that ? that’s what would hold me back if it hasn’t been done, unless of course you are getting it cheap which I don’t think you are . So in summary oil and filter, habitation check and if you love it go for it.

Thank you.

 

[Terry242]

Have a good look around it, take it for a drive and if you want it, buy it.

Mine is 5yrs old now and had full service/ hab until Covid-19 but no use or service during the lockdowns. It's fine and the tyres are fine!

Have another haggle, it's a sellers market. But if still unhappy, walk.

Terry

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[Machbuster]

At my last Hymer habitation check I had a pleasant chat with the mechanic, who said a moho should be used and not stand still for extended periods. If you really want it, have it checked by a professional, it could well save you a lot in the long run. Don't rely on the salesman, and due to the long time not being used, it could be because the speedometer has been unservicable, I had that on my first moho. The fridge might not work after a long stand still. Offer well below askingprice. Good luck

 

[Two Owl Ones]

We’re really keen to buy a 5 year old Hymer that’s up for sale through motorhome depot. It’s only done 3000 miles in the last 3 years and it hasn’t been serviced since the 2 year point. We’ve offered the asking price if it has a full service and cam belt change, the seller has said he’ll get an oil and filter change done but that’s our lot. I don’t know if we’re being over cautious or if the seller is hiding something. What would you do?

it would be wise to pay for a full HPI check just in case, it wont tell you about servicing issues,but will tell you if it has been in an accident/stolen... you could also have the RAC/AA do an independant inspection its a relatively small cost to make sure you have done everything possible to protect your money/new motorhome,

 

[Dunslow]

it would be wise to pay for a full HPI check just in case, it wont tell you about servicing issues,but will tell you if it has been in an accident/stolen... you could also have the RAC/AA do an independant inspection its a relatively small cost to make sure you have done everything possible to protect your money/new motorhome,

Definitely the above. You don't want pay out your cash for it to be taken from you and lose your money (if stolen or on finance still), but that said, that's also a possibility without having a belt change and oil service (engine/ head replacement cost).

I'd buy it as long as it was 10k less than a decent one. I'd want it recovered to a garage for the belt , pump, service,oil, brake fluid, diesel drained out ,tank checked for algae, etc;etc,etc,
& remember the 10k wouldn't even cover the cost of an engine if it dropped the belt shortly after you bought it. You have to bear in mind the belt degrades even withoiut being used & in hot countries, like here in spain, the service life is 50% of north european countries.

Haven't we had Spain like temps for the last few months. All of above also very important to me, but I would get done myself independently rather than trust the seller saying he's done it just to get the sale.
A gas check and co / co2 detectors also a must after long period of neglected inactivity.

 

[jovad]

We’re really keen to buy a 5 year old Hymer that’s up for sale through motorhome depot. It’s only done 3000 miles in the last 3 years and it hasn’t been serviced since the 2 year point. We’ve offered the asking price if it has a full service and cam belt change, the seller has said he’ll get an oil and filter change done but that’s our lot. I don’t know if we’re being over cautious or if the seller is hiding something. What would you do?

I purchased a 5 year old Hymer Exsis which had done less than 7K miles from MDG last year. They wouldn't reduce the price, but included a full service with cam belt change and MOT for the asking price.

 

[RedFrame]

I wouldn’t be concerned. Our 9 year old 20k mile fiat based Autotrail hadn’t had a belt change and was fine when we sold it. I’m pretty sure if the dealer had been concerned about the lack of belt change they would have used it as a reason to reduce what they offered for the van before they looked at the service history.

HeidiF , not sure if you are fully aware of how Motorhome Depot work. They do not buy, or own, the vehicle, they simply act as a "Broker" and advertise/filter prospective buyers on behalf of the owner, they will take around 10% of the sale price as a fee (this fee is fixed at the original sale price). It's important to note when "bartering" that, unless you suggest it, they will not drop their 10% fee, they will simply say to the seller will you take £2000 less.

Part of MotorhomeDepot's due diligence is a HPI check with Experian so you should be able to ask for a copy of that from "Mark", I think your rep's name is?

I also seem to remember that the vehicle was showing a recent Hab Check, again you can request a copy of that, make sure you read any notes at the end.

Sorry, "to teach you how to suck eggs", if you are already aware of all this.

Cheers
Red.

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