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

[Northernraider]

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!

As do most . In over 700 vehicles I've never seen a Campbelt look really bad on changing. I have had 2 vehicles that the belt has snapped and apart from the obvious break the belts looked in good condition. I'd be very very surprised to see a 4.5 year old belt looked aged and worn.

Cambelts are like dirty Harry's gun .....all down to luck . I've known belts to last 10 year never being changed others to snap early . But yet to see one look visibly knackered.


On anything with value I always get the belts changed . But on cheap cars I've ran for years I don't even change the oil never mind a Campbelt as often the belt change would be more than I paid for the car.

 

[Rodders1234]

We bought a 4 year old Hymer with only 500 mile on the clock but the dealer gave us 12 warranty. They only did what they called a sales service and mot so we had a full service done by a local garage soon after purchase. We had no real issues but if they are not offering any warranty I would recommend paying to get it checked out first.

 

[richard8]

Have you checked the mileage matches with the two MOT,s that it should have received. Go to the government site, mot history check.

 

[Folkranger]

Have you checked the mileage matches with the two MOT,s that it should have received. Go to the government site, mot history check.

There'll be no MOTs if it's been SORNd

 

[Grumpyfrog]

We are in the process of buying our first M/H, and are being patient in waiting for the right one to turn up within our budget.
I would just like to say, after following this thread, thanks to all for the advice given to the O/P, as it is also good for all of us in a similar position.

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[Betsy Lamb]

Cam belt on the 130-150 models is 96 months or 120,000 miles

 

[CazPaul]

Cam belt on the 130-150 models is 96 months or 120,000 miles

8 years,really I thought it was 5 years so 60 months?

 

[Northernraider]

8 years,really I thought it was 5 years so 60 months?

It's normally 5 years or 60k

So I'm assuming that one is a super duper one ....but not sure I'd be able to trust leaving it that long . But I guess you would have some sort of comeback if it snapped before then

 

[Betsy Lamb]

8 years,really I thought it was 5 years so 60 months?

That’s what it says in my Fiat owners manual for belt replacement

 

[Verteuil Man]

Honest John, the guy that used to write motoring advice in The Telegraph said. The only general servicing advice I would give is change the oil and filter every year or 10,000 miles. Change the cambelt and other drive belts every 5 years or 60,000 miles.

As a general rule it sounds like good advice. If you are dubious about previous work, change it. It's a lot cheaper than an engine.

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[tigerblue]

I wouldn't worry in the slightest. If you are worried perhaps pay to get it professionally checked?

 

[highwood122]

At the end of the day it's a 5 year old van with 3000 miles on the clock. If you can get some money off all the better. But remember it's a sellers market. The seller can find some inexperienced punter who knows nothing of cracked tyres and cam belts. It's only done 3000 miles why worry? If it a good price and if its what you want, get as much off as you can then get it.

i would not wont to change a cam belt at 3000 ml,they are meant to last 60000 ml.

 

[Betsy Lamb]

120000 according to the manufacturer. Unless you would rather believe‘honest John’!

 

[Northernraider]

i would not wont to change a cam belt at 3000 ml,they are meant to last 60000 ml.

Or 5 years which ever comes first.

Personally I wouldn't want to risk engine failure by not changing the belt by 6 years old at the latest.

On a cheap banger ...sure I'll take the risk

On a motorhome worth a considerable amount of money it's not worth the risk.

 

[Roclaire]

Don't forget you don't get warranty when buy of them as they are acting as agents and if you read their terms and conditions there's no come back on them if any thing wrong with it
So get a good discount and factor in cost of mot full service and cambelt do main dealer prices and you should be ok

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[BRF]

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.

What if it has not stood for long periods but was driven every couple of weeks

 

[wiljoy]

I'm no mechanic but belts are always a worry. Better to be cautious and change them when recommended. Not sure about the drive every couple of weeks.

 

[BRF]

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 am the owner of the said Hymer. I can assure you that I am hiding nothing. The van is in pristine condition. The reason for the low mileage is Covid and my husband’s worsening arthritis which necessitates him now needing an automatic. We don’t actually want to sell the van; it is without doubt the best van we have ever had. Looking for a replacement on the market recently what we have found is mainly poor quality. Also, the van has been driven regularly throughout the past three years. We have no intention of changing the Cam as the advice we have been given is that the mileage does not justify it. I suggest you contact your salesman ‘Mark’ and check your facts, you have been offered full service and MOT plus a habitation check paid for by me. I wish you luck finding a van in anywhere near this good a condition.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

That about answers the op queries.

 

[Northernraider]

I am the owner of the said Hymer. I can assure you that I am hiding nothing. The van is in pristine condition. The reason for the low mileage is Covid and my husband’s worsening arthritis which necessitates him now needing an automatic. We don’t actually want to sell the van; it is without doubt the best van we have ever had. Looking for a replacement on the market recently what we have found is mainly poor quality. Also, the van has been driven regularly throughout the past three years. We have no intention of changing the Cam as the advice we have been given is that the mileage does not justify it. I suggest you contact your salesman ‘Mark’ and check your facts, you have been offered full service and MOT plus a habitation check paid for by me. I wish you luck finding a van in anywhere near this good a condition.

I agree with most of what you've typed except for the Cambelt because the advice you've been given is incorrect. Mileage alone does not dictate service items . I recently sold my mother's car that did less than 800 miles per year yet I still changed the oil and filter every year regardless and at only 13,400 miles its had 2 Cambelt changes.

The Cambelt could just as easily snap on you while taking it a short run and could also snap while being mot'd and undergoing the high rev part of the emissions test.

It's a gamble and the question is simply do you feel lucky . Because a replacement engine would make your eyes water in comparison to a belt change.

I agree replacing something you don't see and you haven't got decent usage out of is soul destroying but it comes with the territory I'm afraid.

I'd feel more comfortable buying a high mileage vehicle that had been maintained than a low mileage one that hadn't.

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[CazPaul]

I would ask to swap the full service, hab check and MOT for a cam belt change.

 

[Ninjabob]

Cam belt change on Peugeot Boxer 2litre 160bhp is 10 years. Personally if I wanted it I would buy it in an instant. Just change the oil & filter (half an hour's work my cat could probably do) and go on your merry way.

 

[Folkranger]

On a cheap banger ...sure I'll take the risk

On a motorhome worth a considerable amount of money it's not worth the risk.

A new engine is expensive regardless the age of the van.

 

[Northernraider]

A new engine is expensive regardless the age of the van.

It is but if I had a 3k van and the engine went I'd just break the van for spares .

Not quite the same on a 60k van

 

[BRF]

What if it has not stood for long periods but was driven every couple of weeks

I would ask to swap the full service, hab check and MOT for a cam belt change.

Very sensible

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[Reallyretired]

My new to me van at the beginning of the year had only done 3000 miles in the last 3 years partly due to covid and not been serviced. I just had a major service and general checkup from my trusted independent mechanic (not the dealer) and all well, however it has a chain rather than a belt.

 

[gus-lopez]

will we ever know?

 

[Teedubyaa]

If you really like it, buy it and get the cambelt changed! New vans have a 12-24 months wait and life is too short

 

[barsteward]

I think it was a mistake offering the asking price although don’t know if it was cheap anyway.

They would surely factor in a price expecting a lower offer.

Offer 3 grand less sold as seen and get it all done yourself.

Be prepared to walk away there’s plenty of vans out there.

Not so sure about that, I do though think that that situation is about to change.

 

[barsteward]

It is but if I had a 3k van and the engine went I'd just break the van for spares .

Not quite the same on a 60k van

I appreciate your a tight Scotsman Tam but even you couldn't find a a half decent wheelbarrow for 3k

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