VW T5/T6 Kombi - pricing or alternatives?

[ED209]

Now we have a child we really think a VW Kombi type van would suit our lifestyle, not a full on camper though. We have a couple of labradors and normally have a couple of bikes with us when we go anywhere. The space to put a folding bed in the back for the odd night away would also be nice.

I have looked at loads of vans online and I think a long wheelbase kombi would suit us (with air con) but the prices seem to be all over the place and often appear to be really high for the age/spec of van Covid?

So how do I find a van that isn’t a rip off? Budget maybe up to 15k ish.

Any alternatives? That can be suggested?

Also is it possible to get insurance at a reasonable cost on a van for leisure use only when both of our no claims bonuses are currently used for our cars?

Anyone got any advice or tips?

[ZX10R NIN]

Insurance wise if you speak to your current company you may find that they'll mirror some/all of your current NCB onto your van.

Hyundai iLoad Kombi

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/van-details/202105263...

Or the better spec'd i800:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/van-details/202107104...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 11th July 15:54

[Challo]

ED209 said:

Now we have a child we really think a VW Kombi type van would suit our lifestyle, not a full on camper though. We have a couple of labradors and normally have a couple of bikes with us when we go anywhere. The space to put a folding bed in the back for the odd night away would also be nice.

I have looked at loads of vans online and I think a long wheelbase kombi would suit us (with air con) but the prices seem to be all over the place and often appear to be really high for the age/spec of van Covid?

So how do I find a van that isn’t a rip off? Budget maybe up to 15k ish.

Any alternatives? That can be suggested?

Also is it possible to get insurance at a reasonable cost on a van for leisure use only when both of our no claims bonuses are currently used for our cars?

Anyone got any advice or tips?

VW Kombi vans are expensive anyway, and COVID tax means they are crazy money. They do hold money but unsure your 15k will stretch that far.

Have you looked at the JDM imports?

[ED209]

Those Hyundai’s look ok, not sure how the length of the load space would compare to that of a long wheel base kombi?

Re Japanese imports. Do you mean Nissan elgrads and the like or import VWs?

[Challo]

ED209 said:

Those Hyundai’s look ok, not sure how the length of the load space would compare to that of a long wheel base kombi?

Re Japanese imports. Do you mean Nissan elgrads and the like or import VWs?

Yep Elgrands or Alphards

[Drive Blind]

I've got a few mates that have/had VW T4/T5's and T6's

They've looked at the alternatives but they don't add up. One of them even bought an alternative but got rid after 2 months, then immediately bought another VW.

Yes they are £££'s but they don't depreciate like other vehicles.
One mate recently sold his T5 for more than he paid for it 3 years ago. Didn't even need to advertise, always had folk asking if/when he was selling.

[ED209]

Drive Blind said:

I've got a few mates that have/had VW T4/T5's and T6's

They've looked at the alternatives but they don't add up. One of them even bought an alternative but got rid after 2 months, then immediately bought another VW.

Yes they are £££'s but they don't depreciate like other vehicles.
One mate recently sold his T5 for more than he paid for it 3 years ago. Didn't even need to advertise, always had folk asking if/when he was selling.

I agree they seem to hold their momey and prices seem very firm at the moment. The difficulty is the pricing seems all over the place so very hard to judge if you are getting a reasonable deal or not.

Also being someone who has always had fairly new cars I worry about how they will go at 100,000 miles or more? The Japanese imports appeal for the condition and low mileage but I just don’t think they would have the same sort of space.. nicer places to be maybe but not a practical for a trip with 2 adults, a baby, 2 labradors, 2 road bikes and all of the other stuff that goes with a baby.

[griffter]

I’ve just bought a T5 Kombi, 232,000 miles, 2.5 130 auto. It’s registered and insured as a diesel car (which makes it easy and relatively cheap to insure, and means car speed limits apply). However as a high C02 diesel car it’s £600 a year to tax! So beware.

I believe those registered as commercials have cheaper tax but are subject to lower speed limits and can be more problematic to insure. Swings and roundabouts.

Prices are crazy but I have to say, at the mileage, the condition and longevity of the thing impresses me. I’m
slowly going through it before an MOT this week and the major stuff is fine. Just needed details sorting (lights, locking, trim).

[IT Geek]

Unfortunately you won’t get a T6 for 15k, not even a start line panel van.

As above Covid tax and VW scene tax are at an all time high, the worst time to buy, best time to sell.

Keep an eye out on the T5/6 Facebook pages, avoid the 180 and keep your fingers crossed.

[nunpuncher]

If you really must have a VW scene van then wait until this time next year. All the Tom, Dick and Harriots that have over paid for tarted up old snotters with moon miles on them will be looking to get shot the minute Mags is back on the cards.

[Trevor555]

I have to echo the last two posters.

I'm amazed at the prices vans, and camper vans, are changing hands for at the moment.

Could it crash a bit next year?

I'd love to know the answer, but I'd be worried that it might if I was buying now.

[ChocolateFrog]

As said.

Forget a T6 at that budget.

I sold my 2011 T5. It was the cheapest in the country for the age and spec (over 250k, no AC) and I still made a bit of money, even factoring in what I put into it and servicing over 4 years.

My guess is that £15k will get you a 2013ish Combi with 100k on the clock.

There aren't really any good alternatives, hence why the residuals are just about the best of any 'regular' car.

I'll definitely be getting another at some point.

[ED209]

I didn’t think I would get a t6 within budget.

How do they wear their miles? Would 100k be anything to worry about?

[jonwm]

My mate has just bought (about 6 weeks ago now) a T6 105 bhp Startline Panel van, its on 100k and has a "sportline" front bumper as some huge 20in wheels with coil overs. No aircon and he paid just over £18k for it, its on a 65 plate, he thinks he got a steal too.

[Trevor555]

ED209 said:

I didn’t think I would get a t6 within budget.

How do they wear their miles? Would 100k be anything to worry about?

It depends how they've been used.

A chap I do some jobs for has a 2011 T5 that's just turned 200k

It still drives well.

I used to move ex Hertz vans from their de fleet compound.

The odd one of those really felt worn out. Speed humps around cities I guess.

Many of them get clocked.

Dealer got fed up with sending me around the country to buy used ones, too many wasted trips.

So treat every van as an individual.

[MC Bodge]

With perfect hindsight, I should have bought a Kombi van in Jan 2020, pre-Covid, when I bought another family estate car -that has hardly been used, other than for trips that a Kombi would be great for.

I spotted an i800 yesterday and wondered if they could be a good option if they are registered as a car.

ZX10R NIN said:

Insurance wise if you speak to your current company you may find that they'll mirror some/all of your current NCB onto your van.

Hyundai iLoad Kombi

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/van-details/202105263...

Or the better spec'd i800:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/van-details/202107104...

ps. An EV Kombi van with a good sized battery -as a family van doesn't need a huge payload- would be good.

[Jag_NE]

OP - is something like a Volvo V70/90 with a bike rack and big roof box a viable alternative? Obviously you lack the bed but with the many thousands saved you can justify b&b/hotel costs. If the space of the estate + box is sufficient, obviously you get the benefits of greater comfort, performance and mpg too.

[ED209]

Jag_NE said:

OP - is something like a Volvo V70/90 with a bike rack and big roof box a viable alternative? Obviously you lack the bed but with the many thousands saved you can justify b&b/hotel costs. If the space of the estate + box is sufficient, obviously you get the benefits of greater comfort, performance and mpg too.

My last car was a v90 with a roof box and 2 bike racks on the top. Last time we used it for a trip it was absolutely rammed.

I also doubt any van would get worse mpg than the Volvo.

[ChocolateFrog]

ED209 said:

I didn’t think I would get a t6 within budget.

How do they wear their miles? Would 100k be anything to worry about?

With obvious caveats around doing your own inspection I wouldn't worry about miles.

Like I said mine had 260k on it and ran fine. The usual DPF to consider.

The doors droop, there's some adjustment but ultimately some people get new hinges and they all seem to do it. Look for a small rusty spot where the bottom corner of the door strikes the bodywork.

Some of the engine bay pipework on mine was quite rusty, If I had a good clean one I'd give it a spray of ACF50 every now and then.

I don't recall any other wear related issues with mine.

Edited by ChocolateFrog on Monday 12th July 17:37

[ZX10R NIN]

ED209 said:

Those Hyundai’s look ok, not sure how the length of the load space would compare to that of a long wheel base kombi?

Re Japanese imports. Do you mean Nissan elgrads and the like or import VWs?

How about a LWB Transit/Toureno

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107114...

Transit LWB Combi just over budget but haggling will get you closer to your number:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107124...