2009 Transit Van

[Chrismawa]

I'm going to look at a 59 plate Transit tonight thats been comverted into a camper van. I've never owned a van before so not sure what to look for as probably different to cars. Anyone any advice? Are these bad vans? For my budget of £3.5k its either a 10 year old Transit or T4 that is double the age and mileage - so the Transit seems to be a better deal.

Any info appreciated, thanks.

[stevemcs]

Brakes are a bugger on these, check the fronts as you nearly always end up doing the discs pads and wheel bearings. If drums at the back check for leaks.

Suspension arms fail, well the bushes, brake lines rust and they can have dpf issues, however I would take a transit over a vw any day.

[Momentofmadness]

Check for rust, rust and more rust - find a solid one and your winning!

[TwistingMyMelon]

as above rust, rust and rust

[Chrismawa]

Thanks its all kitted out inside, so will have to take a torch with me and get underneath! With these being a lot newer than the rust bucket T4s and Bongos I've been looking at I thought these wouldnt be too bad with rust...

[viciousj377o]

Chrismawa said:

Thanks its all kitted out inside, so will have to take a torch with me and get underneath! With these being a lot newer than the rust bucket T4s and Bongos I've been looking at I thought these wouldnt be too bad with rust...

Don't be fooled, a mid nineties t4 is likely to be less rusty than a transit 20 years newer and the T4s know how to rust!

Rust on Transits is mostly found, but not limited to;

Sills
Arches (inner and outer)
Floor
All underneath components
Rear slam panel
Tailgate or barn doors depending on which you have
Passenger and drivers step.

Also this era of transit is well known for killing HPFP (£1000+ at dealer prices) and injectors (£600+ at dealer prices)

Having said that, there is a very rusty and battered but fully mot'd transit sat on my drive on 280k which, touch wood, has been a brilliant workhorse. However it is starting to resemble a patchwork quilt...

[Chrismawa]

Thanks for the info. My girlfreinds uncle came with me to check it out, hes a mechanic, and give it the once over underneath etc. The van checked out ok, so should pick it up later in the week.

[TwistingMyMelon]

If they are looked after and not abused then the transits are good buys

Most get abused as they are just a tool for the job.