My van has sat unused for over a year due to Covid and so i decided to take it for an MOT which it promptly failed. The amount of work that needs doing to it is extensive. So as a sanity check, I wondered what you guys would do.
The van is a 2008 MK7 SWB LR 2.4 TDCi. Was originally going to be converted to a camper and is about 50% converted at present (bed and electrics are in, plus floors, walls, rooflights and solar panels). It had new/reconditioned injectors put in before I bought it. The engine is good and runs ok. The bad points. It needs the whole front strut assembly replacing on both sides, ie, shocks, springs, bearings. All brake discs are rusted to hell and back. The front calipers need replacing. it needs a bunch of welding, mainly at the back behind the wheel arches and the footwells on both sides, although im told only the driver side needs doing if I only have the drivers seat. Total cost if I choose to go ahead is £1780.
Would you repair it or not?
I originally budgeted for £1400 to bring it back on the road. I have the cash to get it repaired. But can't decide if I should. £1800 is a lot of money that I could put away and buy another van with in a year or two once the crazy pandemic prices go away. If I dont repair it I will make a loss, if I do repair it i will probably also make a loss, but might get 3-4 years of use out of it. The other possibility is to fix it, complete the camper conversion and sell it. I am considering this seriously but suspect it may fall to late in the summer, by the time its finished.