Hi,
[Cross-posted from the "Camper vans and conversions" forum]
Our 1989 Transit camper van has just failed its MOT due to excessive corrosion in four areas and "rear brakes imbalanced across an axle". I'm awaiting a call back from the welder on Monday with an estimate of what it might cost to get it through its MOT. In the meantime, I'm trying to work out what our options might be if we deem the repair uneconomical. (We'd hoped to get at least another year or two out of it before any more major work was needed; at this point my wife is not keen to spend much more on it and is leaning towards switching to a caravan instead.)
The van is an Autosleeper Flair two-berth camper based on a 1989 mk3 Transit 120 (smiley) with a 2.5l non-turbo diesel engine. Mileage 97k. The engine runs beautifully and the interior habitation space is very nicely decorated. It's really "just" the rust that's the issue. I'm thinking it could be an ideal project for someone with a love for old Transits and/or campers and who can do their own welding.
So, to my question: if we decide we need to let go of it, what are my best options in terms of trying to find a buyer? Obviously there are scrap dealers who might give me a couple of hundred quid for it, but I'd hope it still has some life in it, in the right hands. Is there a market for this type of project? Where/how should I advertise/list it? What are the chances of selling it before the MOT expires on 28 August (after which it won't be road-legal and will need a pickup to collect)?
As you can probably tell, I've never been in this situation before and have no real idea what my options are or how best to proceed. Any informed advice will be much appreciated!
Rob