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I know it's A LOT of miles, but the van is in unbelievable condition and the engine appears to have been looked after really well as far I can tell from service receipts. A couple of minor dings but no visible rust either on body panels or underneath. Engine sounds fine. Passed its last 6 MOTs without issue.
It's a 2010 1968cc TDi 140hp, belts and water pumps done last year, price is pretty much where I'd expect.
Any reason not to? What kind of money pit am I looking at?
Sold my 140bhp T5 with similar mileage - well looked after, owned for @10 years - last thing I heard it was still going strong at 240k
We regularly run buses to 2 million + miles, with, generally, nothing more than regular services (every 3 weeks)
It’s a used vehicle, buy on condition.
I know a lad who bought an airport transfer bus with 1/2 million miles on, it's high spec and great condition. So far so reliable.
These tales hearten me, as I'll likely be selling my T5 with about 175k miles on it later in the year. Glad to hear people will still buy them.
If it is a van (and not a shuttle) then it is worth getting just for the £140 VED. I still can 't beleive that HMRC haven't put it up yet. Not complaing mind.
I'm no more concerned about that than my 2014 T5.1 with 25k on the clock.
Yes it should be fine, all things considered.
Main concern would be corrosion, especially the internal front wings. Check around the arches and look inside via the small opening below the A pillar with a bright torch. There's a void in there where leaves and road poo collect and hold moisture. It's a palaver but can be cleaned out
I've a 2007, it's good but rust is developing slowly
I know a lad who bought an airport transfer bus with 1/2 million miles on, it’s high spec and great condition. So far so reliable.
I bought a T4 that was an airport bus, had over 400k on it when I bought it and I put over 60k on it.
Was still going strong when I sold it.
(was disappointed to see it lost over 300k miles when it was next sold on)
I like a diesel that's done some miles, they like to work and the 2.0 in the T5 is a solid engine. What I would avoid is a high mileage diesel that hasn't done many miles recently, it never seems to do them any good.
Manual or automatic?
The DSG on the earlier autos can have their problems, but so can the DMF's on the manuals. Both are fixable, or may already have had attention (?).
I'd happily buy at that mileage if the condition and service record is right. Our last T5 (2.5 engine, auto, 2006) was still going well at 150k. Auto gearbox too.
Just a thought... a pal is about to sell his T5. Think it's a 2015 with 70k ish miles. SWB. Carpet, insulation, lights, etc. Think he's after about £15,500 for it.
Mileage means very little on a VW, they're as likely to crap out at 30k as they are at 300k.
If you get a good one that wasn't assembled on a Friday afternoon you can get a long time out of them.
My T5 was sold with 268,000km, although that was the old 2,5l 5pot. Drive shaft went at around 250k.
When I was looking there were lots of van with 300,000+km, although, again either the older 1,9 or 2,5 engines.
As long as its not the bi-turbo or has been mapped, has had regular servicing and lots of long motorway journeys it should be good.
Well I'm off to see it tomorrow, will give it a once over and if it's no good I'll message you @stanley to see what your mate has.
Also look for leaks. Likely areas are sunroof drain pipes (headliner stained), roof gutter bolts, rear sliding window (if present) seals and the sliding door seals.
Well in the interests of completeness I went to see it and couldn't turn it down. There are a couple of little gremlins to sort out - passenger window has a mind of its own, some LED DRLs are flickering and the drivers mirror doesn't fold up - but I can sort all these. Other than that it's like a new van. Cannot believe it's got nearly 200k miles on it. My Dec 2017 car with 28k miles squeaks and rattles more.
Im.assuming they don't come out of the factory like that?
Good looking t5 but surely had a bunch of mods?
Bear back, why is a van having mods a problem? Many many people mod their t5. Doesn't change the likelihood of the engine spewing its guts!
I'd be doing something about those low profiles - no need (other than aesthetics if that's your bag).
Im.assuming they don’t come out of the factory like that?
Good looking t5 but surely had a bunch of mods?
Strange post, unless I missed where it was advertised as unmodded?
Didn't say it was a problem, but certainly harder to make an assessment of its previous life if it's got new paint, new panels, new seats etc.
I bought my 2011 t5.1 caravelle with 160k on it in 2014. I’ve since put almost the same mikes on it again.
Original exhaust has been a bit frilly for a few years now but still intact. I’ve had a clutch and flywheel fairly recently (its first replacement) and the starter motor finally failed this year. I needed a new DPF when the old one sheared off its mounting (I’ve still got the old one and will get it welded up at some point) and over the years it feels like I’ve replaced seized brake calipers a few times.
suspension wise it gets the odd bush, droplink or spring as and when but it’s never required a wholesale refresh
so yeah - keep them serviced and keep on top of things and it’s need a pleasure to own
oh - and I’d probably sell it for close to what I paid for it 10 years ago! Motoring doesn’t get cheaper!