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We've viewed a few vans. Prices seem all over the place, it's hard to tell what's is right value and condition wise.
It's a 'new shape' 2012 2.3 Fiat Ducato lwb with a professional conversion. Not a spot of rust anywhere (galvanised?) and full service history. First owner a lease then converted in 2015 and comes with a lot of paperwork and manuals for everything on board. Clean MOT history.
It's a touch scuffy in places - it has a few too many stickers on, back doors have had small damage and been repainted, it's got some dried out mastic in shower and on one of the windows, some wear on edges of cupboards, side door is slow to slide, etc. But it's a 12 year old van. Needs a good clean.
I've not much trust in the dealer - it's a caravan storage place who just buys and sells a few on the side.
- what's that 2.3 engine and 6-speed running gear like? I gather it's a Fiat specific and seems to be pretty good mpg wise.
- anything else on those Ducato's?
- it's got onboard / underslung gas tank. Any issues or things I should be aware of?
- everything seems to work - from blinds and bed system, to reversing camera and solar and charger. We haven't tested heater or hot water.
What else have I forgotten?
Any other hints or tips?
I'm tempted to put in an offer subject to new MOT and an hour's drive and test of heating and hot water...
2.3 is OK. Make sure you do the timing belt.
Check for chain noise on the back of the head. They can occasionally do the cam to cam chain but that's on high mileage ones.
It suffers from all comon rail problems in that the injectors can seize in.
I'd have one.
I **think** maybe there is a 10 or 12 year recertification reqt on refillable gas tanks. I also think the regulator has 10 year life, and hoses 5 years. (But am getting conflicting internet help) but it might be worth seeing if you can find the relevant regs.
I’d test the water system and bog, (take motorhome toilet paper to test flush it ) and check the cassette, if you can fill the sink/shower tray and see how well they drain, check the taps and get a feel for when the pump kicks in after immediate use then leave it a while to see if this changes. It shouldn’t lose pressure.
FYI we got gas fear in highlands/islands as there weren’t many (any) lpg stations, except in Stornaway, I’d check to make sure you felt covered.
Check tyres as van tyres are expensive. (Also check their age code as I think they are limited to 5/7 years)
Can you get a damp meter, and rummage in the cupboards etc etc (*ours was fibreglass, prob not so much on a metal van)
Fiat 2.3 is actually an Iveco engine, good reputation. I've got an 2004 duccy van conversion, 120hp version with 5 speed box. Pulls really well, but later more powerful variants with 6 speed box I imagine a lot better for motorway cruising.
Rusty cills is my biggest problem, had them patched up twice now. My feeling is its condensation on the inside running down that causes the problem, panels are all insulated on the inside and vapour barriers as much as practical, but 2 humans & 2 or 3 dogs is lot of moist air overnight!
What sort of money are we talking? I’d love one.
I have a 2017 2.3 ducato. 150bhp variant.
Had since new, now at 111,000. Its been faultless and I will happily buy again.
I much preferred the engine to similar transits when I bought it, pulls from low, i don't need to work the gearbox hard.
Would happily buy another.
What sort of money are we talking?
The new shape are £20k plus - but are galvanised...
Old shape of Fiat/Renault/Peugeot are £15k+ There's some rust buckets around though.
That's LWB, professional conversion, on board loo and shower, 2 berth.
Fuel pumps can be a bit iffy, on our old van the housing just gave way and pissed diesel all over the road behind us until it conked out as the fuel gauge had seized. My parents fuel pump stopped and left them stranded on a motorway slipway roundabout.
But between us both we've done a lot of distance with only very minor issues really.
Yep running an abused Ducato in maintenance dept at work on an 11 plate with 6 speed box - absolutely bashed to bits, no rust and runs well.
We’ve a 2012 2.3 6 speed on a coachbuilt motorhome. I’ve also had a transit based motorhome on hire, 2.2 I think.
Would choose the fiat 2.3 every time. Pulls much better and happily stays in a high gear even on hills. Whereas the transit was a constant gear changing experience.
Touch wood no issues over 6 years albeit only 2-3k done per year.
2nd hand info here, so could be balls, if so I apolgise. A motorhoming customer told me that LPG is getting harder to find here in the UK.
We have the opposite problem. We designed in a space for a 4.5kg bottle and they've stopped doing them, so we either have to lose some cupboard space and buy a bigger gas locker or start using Camping Gaz which is more expensive.
I should have added that a galvanised Fiat seems a good place to start, fighting rust on our 08 Sprinter is my new favourite hobby 😉