Looking at buying a Minibus

[Sealtainn Transit]

Hi,
I'm off to look at a minibus on Saturday and just wondered if there was anything specific I should be looking out for?
She is a 1999 T reg (T335 APS) and she is a LWB Semi-Hi Diesel with 55k on the clock.
Her tax ran out in June 2007 and AFAIK she has been parked up for the past 18 months awaiting repair.
From what the seller has told me, she needs some welding to the chassis outriggers and various small rust holes on the bodywork - a couple on the doors and one under the inner step on the drivers side.
Any suggestions/advice gratefully received - thanks !!

[ake]

Rust is the main killer of MK5's the mechanicals are pretty much bomb proof, other than a timing belt every 40-60k

[Sealtainn Transit]

Well been to take a look at her. Considering her age and that she has been in Shetland all her life, she wasn't as bad as she could have been.
All the electrics work and she drives nicely and is barely run in with 56k on the clock.
However, rust was something of an issue, the worst shown in the photos:
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd218/LandRoverS2a/Vehicles/001.jpg
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd218/LandRoverS2a/Vehicles/002.jpg
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd218/LandRoverS2a/Vehicles/007.jpg
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd218/LandRoverS2a/Vehicles/004-1.jpg
As the guy is only asking £200, I'm thinking it will work out cheaper to buy her and get the repaired for MoT rather than buy something and ship it from South. The kind of money I'm looking at spending, it would doubtless have monster mileage too.

[MrMPuk]

That's fooked, I'd leave well alone! He should be giving that away, not selling it.

[AndyG]

Well, I guess you're buying an engine and gearbox and or a load of work
What's it like underneath

[Sealtainn Transit]

She needs a couple of patches underneath, near the seatbelt anchoring points but other than that she's fine. Nothing that a good stint with a wire brush and a can of underseal gunk wouldn't sort. Seeing as my welder is pigeon poo, I'm getting a local garage to quote for the repairs on Monday and depending on what they say I'll make a decision on purchase.
They are virtually no minibuses in Shetland so to buy one from South, you have to add on an extra £500 at least just to get over there, collect and drive/ferry back (depending on where it is) plus the fact that it's a minimum of 2 days away from home.
Having 6 kids and a Focus - we really need something that everyone can go in. Don't mind if she only last a couple of years as the engine & box would go nicely in my Series 2a Land Rover

[ake]

That van is only fit for Scrap