Van Question

2018 so would have needed MOT in 2021 - I find it hard to believe that it's been sat for 2 years. Through the pandemic vans were in very high demand, prices went crazy so for it to have not sold sounds a bit iffy.

Could it be an import? I can't remember what happens with MOTs on vans/vehicles imported from e.g. Northern Ireland.

(I could also be talking pish)

Not a police van, had a private reg or come from Northern Ireland?

If it’s really been sat for 2 years I wouldn’t buy it, but there could be a genuine reason.

It does seem a bit odd as it’s 2 years, it has been a surveillance van whatever that is. He just told me that it had a desk fitted and some insulation and a bloke used it as a mobile office. Definitely not an import.   Seems to be quite common though as I know someone else who bought a surveillance van. The advantage is it’s extremely clean and not been hammered.
I went for a test drive and I expected the salesman to get in the passenger side, but he just let me go out on my own.
Not sure what to do as it is quite hard to find the right van, but I don’t want to end up with something dodgy.

 I don’t want to end up with something dodgy.

The seller doesn't appear to want to say or do anything that would reassure you. They're obviously confident another less discerning buyer will have fewer questions needing answers.

There could be plenty of legitment reasons for a van like that to sit used (or used off the road) given that it'll have be built for some sort of specialist application. Could have been owned a business that went into receivership for instance. Could have been used on a site where it operated without having to go on public roads.

The V5 should give some sort of clue as it would most likely have been registered to a business rather than an individual

The seller can't even be bothered to make something up though.

If it's in good condition for the age/mileage is the MOT provenance really that important ? It'll have a fresh one; if you are really concerned ask for the MOT to be done by a 3rd party at your cost. Sounds like it was probably kept on private land to me; I think everyone's overthinking it 😀

The advantage is it’s extremely clean and not been hammered.

If it’s in good condition for the age/mileage

For something like a surveillance van 'mileage' is a less useful measure than it would be for other vehicles. They do the work they are built for when they are not moving - depending on how the equipment installed in it was powered it could have been sitting stationary with its engine running for days/weeks/months/years.

It’s a difficult one as there is some truth in what stevehine says above, but I still have a few doubts.

sometimes you have to take a punt in life.  If the condition is good and its a good deal for you, why not.  I love taking on projects, just go in with your eyes open.  Get a mechanic mate to help maybe?

The only reason I can think of is a crash repair that wasn't registered with insurance. Not the end of the world, just go in with your eyes wide open, possible a trusted 3rd party's eyes too.

Hmm I always say that there is another car/van out there so if you have any worries then just knock it on the head and continue the search

They do the work they are built for when they are not moving

To be fair; you are absolutely right about that and I hadn't thought of it. Low milage / little cabin wear doesn't mean the engine hasn't seen a lot of use. My van has a 150W 240v socket in it; it would kill the battery in no time at all if I used it with the engine off.

Could have been used on a site where it operated without having to go on public roads.

That can be a problem in itself for diesel vans. Never get warmed up or a decent run to clear through the emissions systems. We've had vans on site that have been absolutely ****ed at c.25,000 miles. I'd rather buy a younger, higher mileage one with full history.

Does the V5 not show a previous keeper?

Ask them 🙂

My advice would be if the seller is being awkward and your gut is telling you there may be an issue then walk away!

MOT is only basic and if you're mechanically minded yourself then it may not be needed. But for me at least it provides some history on the vehicle and gives you an idea how it has been treated and looked after. In particular with vans if there is any reference to corrosion then I'd walk away.

Know it can be difficult when you think you've found the right van but it could be a very costly and stressful error.

Probably worth waiting until Winter anyhow because that's when people will have had their van sitting on their drive for a few months unused and you're likely to get a better deal.

I think everyone’s overthinking it

I hadn’t thought of it.

🙂

If it's never been MOT'd, it could have been an emergency services vehicle, as they are all exempt from MOT.

The fact it's been a surveillance vehicle, I'd give it a wide berth. As has already been mentioned, it's likely spent most of it's life sat idling.

If it wasn't MOT'd was it SORNed?

If it's ex police/MI5/The Increment there should be a vehicle service record completed by the relevant constabulary. Should show dates of all work, services etc and MOT equivalent checks carried out by police mechanics on MOT due dates IIRC

Clearly that paperwork could be absent in which case the vehicle has nsh. That would make me uncomfortable.

That aside I think it very unlikely a surveillance vehicle spent it's entire life idling. It's not impossible, but unlikely.

I weighed everything up for and against and decided to go for it as I think that the pandemic may have been a factor looking at the dates. The garage were not awkward in fact quite the opposite.  I think by surveillance it may have been a private investigator, don’t think it would be idling as the guy had a desk in there. I have a vision of some Sherlock Holmes type character spying on people having affairs. Having the engine running would be less covert.
Some of the other garages were really pushy, one told me I had already had a test drive in one van so I didn’t need to test drive the other one as it would be the same. There seems to be a big emphasis on getting you to put a deposit down.  The guy I bought the van from was laid back and not pushy at all.
I apologise in advance for the future camper conversion questions, won’t be this year though as I need to save up for the next step.

Mine had just this.
Covid meant the first MoT was postponed then the guy handed it back to the Leasing agent. It sat there for some time….I felt a little concerned, but was all legit. What HAS happened is that the Adblue system failed (since sorted) probably because of being sat idle for ages. My recommendation is to get it coded out as soon as you can.

Looking at the dates, I think it is due to covid. What do you mean by coded out, do you mean check for error codes?

@skippy, I’ve sent you a DM

What do you mean by coded out, do you mean check for error codes?

He means knobbling the emissions systems. You'll have Greta coming round throat punching you if you do.

You don't say what make of van it is, but if there's been a person sat in the van spying on someone for hours on end then at the very least it'll have an Eberspacher heater. That alone will need a decent power source so it's either got a separate stand alone generator, a gearbox mounted generator (if it's a Sprinter) or an updated alternator.

I had an ex Network Rail welfare van, their Eberspacher had an hour's timer hardwired into them so I was hopeful it never idled for more than an hour. It rusted to death before the engine ever died.

It’s a Ford Transit Custom, originally started off looking at a T6, but couldn’t believe how high the prices are. The Ford is a bit wider so in some ways more practical, still prefer the look of the T6.  I didn’t see any heater anywhere , but as you mention it must get a bit cold in there if you are sitting around.

Ah! Don't know then. I've seen larger surveillance vans that have had onboard Onan diesel generators and an Eberspacher

The T6 is more expensive because it doesn't have Fords shit shred-o-matic wet timing belts, ability to rust before your very eyes and crap injectors as well as being a VW. I'm not a Ford fan.

decided to go for it

It'll be a good van👍

See if you can wangle a warranty out of them. That year was the start of the problems they were having with the injectors failing. Usually on ones that have been stood about.

There are loads of threads about it especially on motorhome and camper forums. Consensus is that it's the ones that haven been used much that are having most of the problems.

We have a Tourneo Custom and a camper . Wouldn't want to swap for another make 😎

it has been a surveillance van whatever that is.

Sounds very much like ex-police then - probably an un marked vehicle that police could sit in and watch comings and goings (does it smell of chips ? 😉 ).

The Police don't have to MOT their vehicles, and they are often sold without an MOT or any paperwork. It should have been maintained very well though.

Enjoy your van!

Thanks Tracey, good to know.
Tillydog - no chips or doughnuts…I did treat myself to a bag of chips on the way home.

What HAS happened is that the Adblue system failed (since sorted) probably because of being sat idle for ages. My recommendation is to get it coded out as soon as you can.

I posted about this in the ulez thread. I really don't get how people think it's okay to do this.

I really don’t get how people think it’s okay to do this.

Not difficult to explain. Basically I’m not wealthy enough to have binned a perfectly working van over a system that wasn’t fixable, according to the manufacturer. Seemed a sensible option, having lost 2k trying my best to fix it.

Hope that clarifies things.

Those systems are there to prevent emissions that are harmful to health, when we recognise that air quality is awful, and that those emissions are a significant contributor.

You are recommending disabling those systems as a matter of course.