What to look out for on an N Reg Transit SWB 2.5litre van

[New_van_man]

Hi,

I know a bit about cars but my knowledge of vans is minimal.

I am looking to purchase a transit van to transport my go kart around the country and was wondering what things I should check when i go to look at prospective vans. My friend has an N reg one he wants to sell but it has not been driven for about 6 months to a year and now has no MOT.

But like i say I dont know what things break often on transits if at all (they appear almosty indestructable), where the major rust spots maybe, common mot failures, electrical engine problems for transits of this age etc.

Thus any help with this would be appreciated.

Cheers,

A hopeful transit owner (soon)!

P.s what is an average mpg for motorway and town?

[Steve B]

If the van has been stood for six months you might find the rear drums need freeing up, regarding rust wheel arches are usual haunts for the rust worms and a good look underneath is advisable, mpg, expect anything between 25 to 35 mpg

[MinorMatt]

Depends where its been parked up... if its in a field walk away the bottom will be full of holes.

I bought a P reg which had been stood for a while, when I looked at it (to repair it for them) when it was parked on the road it was fairly solid, just needing one or 2 patches welding on. They then moved it into a field where it sat for 2 months above wet grass/mud, I bought it and put it through an MOT but I ended up replacing a lot of metal beind the front spring hanger at the back. 14 hours of almost constant welding.

The running gear is almost indestructable so long as its serviced. Even if the cambelt fails the worst that will happen is bent push rods and broken rockers (easy fix). I doubt the brakes are siezed but its not impossible. Basically get underneath with a scredriver and poke anything that looks rusty. If you make any holes in the box sections they will need fixing, and any holes within 30cm of any suspension or seat belt mount would need doing.

Seeing as its a friend could you agree to buy it subject to it passing an MoT?

[madmark]

look for rust more rust and rust! they are rusting very badly ! get undernieth check the chassis as well ,lift the rubber floor mat
most smileys are rotton somewere !

[New_van_man]

Cheers guys for your very swift response. So basically rust is the biggest problem.

The van is low mileage (sub 80K i think)so hoping will be mechanically sound. But have seen it in the past and does look tatty round arches and rear doors but then is quite old van

When should the cambelt be changed and how often should oil etc be changed (cant see my mate doing this....)

Chers for all your help is much appreciated.

[Steve B]

I change my cambelt every 30,000 and oil, filters etc every 5000

[Steve B]

Ps to my last post, dont scrimp on cheap filters etc , its just not worth it

[New_van_man]

Just a quick question does anyone know the internal dimensions of an N reg SWB transit pls and also how far out plylined wheel arches protrude out and their height from base of cargo area?

cheers