More info on van want to buy, worth it?

[slippy]

The MOT history of van thinking of buying this reg- WK52HCC (Ford)

Vehicle MOT History - GOV.UK

seems like it needs welding next year (but that's cheap) and it sailed through last MOT (mechanic said this)

400 + 170(insurance) + 240(tax) + 100 pounds ( locks) so 900 pounds.

It would mean could do purifying in van with in van twin DI or RO so would be more convenient than a car with barrels. I am P/T (Saturdays windows- but want to expand and some gardening in week).

if wanted to do some mowing or window cleaning in the afternoon it would be easier. I finish my main job at 1 pm. With car need to load barrels in and out, cant really get mower. With van just shoot off wherever and tank is always ready with water. Might lose this morning job!

With car it's more inconvenient and impossible for mower.

Worth buying it?

 

[High-tower]

None of us can make that decision for you... If you can afford it, go for it... Sounds like you've made your mind up already...

 

[spruce]

Personally I wouldn't buy it. Next years MOT could be a total not worth repairing failure. But I may be biased having worked in the commercial vehicle industry for 6 years before doing this. I saw plenty of emotional decisions that didn't work out because customers had a 'vision' which was different to the reality.

You are going to use it to run a business, you aren't a classic collector who will throw endless amounts of money at a project to return it to as new condition. You can't afford to have it parked up whilst you consider what next to do with it. The decision you need to make is an economic and commercial one, not made on any emotion.

I would be looking at a Berlingo/Partner 1.9 or 2.0 hdi. They were galvanised dipped to about a 1/3rd of the way up their body. Whilst that does guarantee that brake pipes etc won't corrode at least the base will be solid.

If you have £900 to spend then its better to use that as a deposit to buy something better and use the business to pay it off. There no such thing in a successful business as being half pregnant.

If your family car sits on the drive for a month, its not the end of the world as you can catch a taxi, a bus, walk, etc.

If your work van sits on the drive for a month then you can't work. Not working means no income. That's the reality.

 

[Nathan_M]

I have to agree with spruce here.

My brother had one of those and I know a few people who's had them, the paintwork is terrible on them and so it the underneath of the vehicles. It might not be now but give it time and they go.

At the end of the day it's your choice mate, it could be one of the best vans you ever have BUT on the other hand it could be a nightmare, With anything it's all about risk. I bought a car that flew through MOT and didn't have any advisories, great I thought, oh was I wrong. Had nowt but problems with the thing and it gets to a point where it's too much money to put into a vehicle.

A guy I did work with for a while had an estate car (can't remember what make) on an 02 plate from pretty much new, he bought it for let's say £8,000 and through the years has spent something stupid like £11000 which is more than the cars worth.

Again it's totally upto you mate but if I were you, I'd either look at the vans spruce said or something like peugeot expert, citreon dispatch or fiat scudo.. that's what I've got and it's a machine.

Let us know what you decide buddy /emoticons/smile.png

 

[slippy]

Personally I wouldn't buy it. Next years MOT could be a total not worth repairing failure. But I may be biased having worked in the commercial vehicle industry for 6 years before doing this. I saw plenty of emotional decisions that didn't work out because customers had a 'vision' which was different to the reality.
You are going to use it to run a business, you aren't a classic collector who will throw endless amounts of money at a project to return it to as new condition. You can't afford to have it parked up whilst you consider what next to do with it. The decision you need to make is an economic and commercial one, not made on any emotion.

I would be looking at a Berlingo/Partner 1.9 or 2.0 hdi. They were galvanised dipped to about a 1/3rd of the way up their body. Whilst that does guarantee that brake pipes etc won't corrode at least the base will be solid.

If you have £900 to spend then its better to use that as a deposit to buy something better and use the business to pay it off. There no such thing in a successful business as being half pregnant.

If your family car sits on the drive for a month, its not the end of the world as you can catch a taxi, a bus, walk, etc.

If your work van sits on the drive for a month then you can't work. Not working means no income. That's the reality.

Good points- but it has had a new cam belt, clutch and tyres. The mechanics who are his neighbours said it sailed through MOT but will need welding next year. If the van isn't working- I will still have the car and can use the barrels and trolley. I won't stop working. But this is all for a P/T job at present which I am trying to expand as currently in another job which I will get fired from eventually!

When purifying the water, with the car I will be sitting in there with hose pipe running from flat window through two DIs into barrels which I load into car, then have to drive up to my garage and put all this gear back in garage- lot of faffing around. All the old biddies watching me in other flats!

Regarding kids, is it illegal to put a 15 month old (in a child seat) in the front seat of a van? If true getting a 3 seater van is irrelevant. And how doable is it to put another (bolt it in) in the back of a van for the kiddy?

 

[tlwcs]

I think you've already bought this in your mind, but you keep asking the same question. If something is saying don't do it, don't buy it.

There will be others.

Tony

 

[Nathan_M]

I'd personally get a 3 seater van.

We got rid of the car to get a van (as it's easier with a van mount system) I had chance of a 2 seater van but wasn't worth it. If you want a decent 3 seater and don't want a big van like a transit, look at a peugeot expert, citroen dispatch or fiat scudo.

Again it's upto you but I wouldn't spend £900 (altogether) on that type of van, I'd go for something abit bigger.

 

[slippy]

I agree with everything you've said but might make him an offer of £175 and forget new locks- so £220 tax + £160 ins + £175= £560- surely worth the risk? Just scrap it and get £150.

 

[Nathan_M]

£220+£160+£175=£555 then scrap it for £150 and you've lost £405, when you could get abit better van and not have to scrap it or lose money /emoticons/wink.png

What's wrong with the locks? @slippy

 

[slippy]

£220+£160+£175=£555 then scrap it for £150 and you've lost £405, when you could get abit better van and not have to scrap it or lose money /emoticons/wink.pngWhat's wrong with the locks? @slippy

Well the door locks don't work in the drivers door -completely needs replacing. But for the price I would pay just don't keep anything in it except water tank I suppose. The seller said to replace them would cost £100. I genuinely think the engine's sound and it runs well, it is just rusty! If this runs for 2 years surely it's worth the risk. Also with a water tank in the back dripping out surely that would rust any van anyhow so better to mess up old banger? Apparently, the seller is thinking of scrapping it now- or so I keep hearing through friend who hears through mechanic(his neighbour) If I have a major problem with it and it's going to cost I could just scrap it myself!

If you scrap a vehicle half way through insurance and road tax- do you part of this money back?

What are rules on putting a child's seat in front passenger seat or can you put a seat for 15 month old in back of van?

 

[Nathan_M]

Personally if the floor needs welding I wouldn't touch it, especially if your going to put a water tank in it. I don't think there's anything wrong with having a car seat in the front but you'd be better off with a 3 seater for the car seat etc plus if you were going to put seat in the back you'd have no chance putting a tank in aswel.

If your going to get this van id def get the locks changed as insurance will go sky high if you don't have drivers side lock working or any other for that fact.

You seem like you've made your mind up whatever people say on here mate.

With the tax and stuff i wouldn't know, I'd though you'd get it back but insurance you wouldnt, you can change insurance from one vehicle to another for a charge or cancel policy for a charge.

Is this your first van?

Are you just changing from car to van?

Where are you from @slippy?

 

[spruce]

Well the door locks don't work in the drivers door -completely needs replacing. But for the price I would pay just don't keep anything in it except water tank I suppose. The seller said to replace them would cost £100. I genuinely think the engine's sound and it runs well, it is just rusty! If this runs for 2 years surely it's worth the risk. Also with a water tank in the back dripping out surely that would rust any van anyhow so better to mess up old banger? Apparently, the seller is thinking of scrapping it now- or so I keep hearing through friend who hears through mechanic(his neighbour) If I have a major problem with it and it's going to cost I could just scrap it myself!
If you scrap a vehicle half way through insurance and road tax- do you part of this money back?

What are rules on putting a child's seat in front passenger seat or can you put a seat for 15 month old in back of van?

Tibby keys. They wear and wear the locks as well. At one time a Ford technician could rebuild a lock with a repair kit to suit the key.

The problem won't be engine or gearbox related. I would imagine that with later models Ford fixed the problem with Gearbox bearings at the drive shafts. (First indication of bearing failure was a jumping speedometer needle.) The problem is going to be body rot.

Rear seat conversion needs to be done by someone who knows what he is doing. Seat belts need proper anchor points.

There is no side door for rear passengers. Do the front seats tip forward to allow access to the back? I see Vangadgets say the conversion is unavailable.

Ford Van Seat Conversions - Single, Double, Treble and Four Van Rear Seat Conversions UK Company

The way I understand it is that a baby can be in the front seat of a van but must facing backwards. Airbag must be switched off. Would I like to have a baby in a van with a tank of water in the back? My relay van has a factory fitted steel bulkhead and the tank has a steel frame. I'm very nervous when I transport 4 year old to school once a week when I do Grandfather duties.

If you scrap a vehicle half way through insurance and road tax- do you part of this money back? Depends how far you are into the insurance. The insurance company will give you their sliding scale of refunds.

Road Fund refund is per full month remaining. If you scrapped a vehicle with 7 weeks tax, you would only get the remaining month.

 

[slippy]

Personally if the floor needs welding I wouldn't touch it, especially if your going to put a water tank in it. I don't think there's anything wrong with having a car seat in the front but you'd be better off with a 3 seater for the car seat etc plus if you were going to put seat in the back you'd have no chance putting a tank in aswel.If your going to get this van id def get the locks changed as insurance will go sky high if you don't have drivers side lock working or any other for that fact.

You seem like you've made your mind up whatever people say on here mate.

With the tax and stuff i wouldn't know, I'd though you'd get it back but insurance you wouldnt, you can change insurance from one vehicle to another for a charge or cancel policy for a charge.

Is this your first van?

Are you just changing from car to van?

Where are you from @slippy?

Yeah it needs welding next year.

This would be my first van. Maybe that's why I got all excited. And as I am p/t reluctant to spend lots on a van and trusted guy I know recommended it as a starter vehicle. My car is old as well. This same guy who recommended it after my umming and arring put an offer of £150 yesterday for me (even though I said £400 to guy). I guess the risk is quite low now economically. A four hundred pound loss (after my umming and ahrring) isn't going to kill me and it could work out. He probably wont take that and is planning to scrap it anyhow!

Out of interest, what's the best way to waterproof a van? ( a mower and other tools will be thrown in occasionally with tank). Is it fibre glass? And can you do it yourself?

 

[slippy]

Personally if the floor needs welding I wouldn't touch it, especially if your going to put a water tank in it. I don't think there's anything wrong with having a car seat in the front but you'd be better off with a 3 seater for the car seat etc plus if you were going to put seat in the back you'd have no chance putting a tank in aswel.If your going to get this van id def get the locks changed as insurance will go sky high if you don't have drivers side lock working or any other for that fact.

You seem like you've made your mind up whatever people say on here mate.

With the tax and stuff i wouldn't know, I'd though you'd get it back but insurance you wouldnt, you can change insurance from one vehicle to another for a charge or cancel policy for a charge.

Is this your first van?

Are you just changing from car to van?

Where are you from @slippy?

Ok a rusting floor wont pass the MOT, but is it actually dangerous? I mean would a water tank (with 200 litres for example) fall through the floor?

 

[tlwcs]

Why not look at the vehicle #polesapart uses, I think it's a Citroen multi space?

Can take the back seats out to create the space of a van or to use as a family car.

His is an 03 and looks new, so they can't be dear. That coupled with he never goes to work!

You seem to justify any negative that given on the ford so perhaps you should just buy it. After all it's how we learn.

Tony

 

[spruce]

@High\-tower says why ask us if you have already made up your own mind. The worst thing that can happen is that its only worth scrap value at the end of this current MOT. I wouldn't spend a penny on it if I did buy it.

I'm not the only one that can see trouble ahead. @Nathan_M has also suggested you could end up with a scrapper. But at the end of the day we can only advise what we think. We haven't seen the van, but the MOT inspector has and he is telling you that there's trouble ahead.

 

[spruce]

Why not look at the vehicle #polesapart uses, I think it's a Citroen multi space?Can take the back seats out to create the space of a van or to use as a family car.

His is an 03 and looks new, so they can't be dear. That coupled with he never goes to work!

You seem to justify any negative that given on the ford so perhaps you should just buy it. After all it's how we learn.

Tony

The back seats fold up so you could get an L shaped tank in there quite easily.

BUT - that tank needs to be properly fixed in. As I said earlier, I would hate to have a tank a few mm's from a child in an accident.

I would prefer to see him look at a 3 seater, good Expert, Dispatch or Scudo with a proper factory fit steel bulkhead between family and tank.

 

[Adams0211]

You say the seller is thinking about scrapping it now. I think that says it all mate.

And personally, I wouldn't put any of my kids in that van.

I'd look for something else [emoji106]

Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Forums mobile app

 

[tlwcs]

The back seats fold up so you could get an L shaped tank in there quite easily.
BUT - that tank needs to be properly fixed in. As I said earlier, I would hate to have a tank a few mm's from a child in an accident.

I would prefer to see him look at a 3 seater, good Expert, Dispatch or Scudo with a proper factory fit steel bulkhead between family and tank.

Yes your right. I think slippy wants so much from a van that will generally mean a compromise at his stage in the industry. My suggestion would be OK if using barrels instead of a tank.

That said most of my early wfp stuff leaked like mad and there was no way it was going into the family car

 

[Poles Apart]

I think it's Green Clean Pro who's never at work he's on here all day.

 

[Poles Apart]

By the time he decides on this van it'll be half a ton of rusty ironPeople have been telling me to get a bigger van but I like my berlingo so much and it's in nice nick 2 of us work with 2 backpacks and I can squeeze 350 litres in it if I like without taking seats out as they fold upView attachment 6904 , fold them back down and you have a car again it's a 1.6 petrol but good on juice and nifty done 115.000 miles and drives like new.

View attachment 6903