T430 ex-minibus - brake pipe corrosion

[JUaLly_]

Hi, newbie here! We’re thinking of buying this transit, HG09 KPF, 2402 engine, 72k miles, 2 owners.

It doesn’t have the minibus seats in the back, and we’d be converting it to a campervan, but using it as a van first, for transporting our event material to Glastonbury.

It’s about to run out of its MOT.

I have a few questions!

1. Its MOT history shows a recurring problem with the brake pipe, being excessively corroded, covered in grease or some other material.

Does this sound like a big problem to fix?

2. How do I find out if a.) it has a taco thingy or speed restricter, and b.) if it needs either of those?

3. Without the extra seats, can I get it MOT’d normally, or would it need to be at an HGV place.

4. Do I need to take a D1 license test if it’s not going to be used as a minibus? If we added 3 seats in the back, so 6 seats in total, would that mean we would need to take that test? Got my license around 2004.

5. What’s it like to drive?

Anything else I should know/ask the seller?

Thanks

[dumper]

Brake pipes are not a major concern but change any that haven’t been done in the past.
If you’re converting to a camper you can remove the Tachograph and speed limiter it will need the mileage transferred to the van speedo if it’s not on the dash.
I’m over 70 and have to keep my C1 entailment to drive my ex minibus camper conversion you can downgrade it to. 3500 kg to drive it on a standard car license.
With it being classified as an over 3500 kg the road tax is cheaper my mk8 is £165 a year .
As for driving it’s far better because they have better brakes and surspention been a twin wheel set up
If you do decide to downgrade it try SV Tec they specialise it that and a bus is a good starting point as they have windows and the roof lining already done just drop it down and insulate behind.

[MinorMatt]

Hi, newbie here! We’re thinking of buying this transit, HG09 KPF, 2402 engine, 72k miles, 2 owners.

It doesn’t have the minibus seats in the back, and we’d be converting it to a campervan, but using it as a van first, for transporting our event material to Glastonbury.

It’s about to run out of its MOT.

I have a few questions!

1. Its MOT history shows a recurring problem with the brake pipe, being excessively corroded, covered in grease or some other material.

Does this sound like a big problem to fix?

Brake pipes arn't the end of the world, some MOT testers are really strict and will put this if there is the merest whiff of a slight concern, others are are far less so. £20 for a roll of brake pipe, £10 worth of fittings, a flaring tool some brake fluid and some time to bleed

2. How do I find out if a.) it has a taco thingy or speed restricter, and b.) if it needs either of those?

It will be a digital one, same size as a single DIN radio on the dash. As a bus it would have a 62mph restrictor. If its only for private use then tachograph use is not required. If you are using commercially then it is ("event material" says its being used commercially and would need you to have a digi tacho card and to have done your CPC courses)

3. Without the extra seats, can I get it MOT’d normally, or would it need to be at an HGV place.

If its still over 9 seats on the logbook its a class 5 MOT which can be done in most places that do class 7 tests. If its got less than 9 seats and is still plated over 3500kg then it needs a test at a ministry test centre.

4. Do I need to take a D1 license test if it’s not going to be used as a minibus? If we added 3 seats in the back, so 6 seats in total, would that mean we would need to take that test? Got my license around 2004.

6 seats does not class as a minibus, but you will need D1 (and a tacho) if it shows more than 9 seats on the logbook. If its less than 9 seats, but over 3500kg then you need C1 (and a Tacho), if its 3500kg and 9 or less seats its normal category B car licence and no tacho

5. What’s it like to drive?

can't comment - not driven a twin wheeler

Anything else I should know/ask the seller?

Thanks

Basically my advise would be to get it re-registered with 6/7/8/9 seats, and down-plated to 3500kg before you drive it. SVTech* will help with this - but you will need to get it to a weigh bridge and get a printed slip showing the registration number and the weight (you want it to be as light as possible for that, near enough empty fuel tank, don't leave lunch in it etc) to show DVLA that there is enough "payload" to make the new weight appropriate (just as a random example no point downplating to 3500kg if the vehicle weighs 3501kg when empty!)

*SVTech are market leaders - but there are others that will assist cheaper

[JUaLly_]

That’s so helpful, thank you so much!