Aussie Newbie advice needed please

[panhead_pete]

Hi Guys

Im an Aussie (yep another one LOL) that's just landed here and wants to take off to Morocco surfing via France and Spain. I'm hoping to pick up a good transit to travel in and have posted an ad in the wanted section.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=46051 -

Now a couple of questions if I may

In your opinion what transit model should I aim at?
Is my budget reasonable? Could spend more if required
Could someone please be so kind to explain the different reg for me?
One last question if I am in Europe when the MOT expires, what are the implications?

Having never owned a Transit before I'm keen to learn what I should look for in relation to common faults etc in vans from the last 10 years or so.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Cheers
Pete

[sos recovery]

k im an expat mate living in Nsw
ill start with the rego differences 1966 was A suffix reg till 82/83 ended in Y suffix [ie ABC123Y] then they turned the year letter around and it became a prefix eg 83/84 A123BCD till the early 21st century whenit was Y123ABC after which the year letter became 2 numbers to denote the 2 plate cahnges one onthe 1st of jan evry year and the other on the 1st of sept starting with 01 then 51 ,02 and 52 etc etc
confused yeah well we were too lol
if your MOT runs out in the european mainland it wont really affect you till you return to the UK[i worked in holland and germany for many years and drove my old MK2 granada without tax or MOT, for about a year] the foreign cops are not interested indoing the paperwork as long as your not a complete git
transits are cheap inthe uk cos theres millions of em but i reckon about 1500quid would get you a decent lwb deisel MK5 try LOOT its a free ads paper comes out a couple of times a week and of course e bay but remeber we cover our roads in salt every winter check the vans chassis and underside thoruoghly and also remember they do emissions tests if the van smokes it may well fail which will mean expensive engine repairs unlike here in Aus
good luck mate and have a ball

[keep um going]

BIGGEST PROBLEM I HAVE HERE IN THE UK WITH TRANSITS. I have owned transits for 20 years is rust due to winter road salting. Worst rust areas / wheel arches / steps / chassis braces / spring hangers / bottom of doors / inner sill panels / etc Just look for rot. If u can afford it by one under 10 years old, but have a good look underneath it.cheers BILL