I would arm yourself with as much prior knowledge about Bongo's as possible (unlike me as my arm was being twisted by the Mrs.) and bought one in 3-4 days after searching google for "Automatic camper van"
Fortunately I know a few basics... rust checks, how to look around an old car for some tell tale signs (all I have known is old motors
) So this puts you in a better place. I am fairly sure in one or 2 of my posts I put a fairly extensive list of things/basics to look out for on ANY second hand car really.
Listen when the person drives it (or you drive it) ideally on back roads and a little run up the local M-Way and back anyone worth buying from will be 100pct cool with this if they sit in the passenger seat or vice versa), listen for loud whirs, grinding noises when steering or clocks etc when accelarating, strange sounds as gears change, squeaks and vibrations on full steering lock, look for rust take a really high power torch and look underneath the sills, be with the car for a good 30mins looking everywhere you possible can for rust. Check fans, air con and switches, radio, mirrors move in and out ok, check screen for chips, look at door hinges and how the doors close, the sound they make etc. in the car, indicators, steering play (wobble the wheel a bit and forwards an back for any obvious play), excessive smoke when revving, smooth or at least steady (on a diesel) idling, tyre tread/side walls, water tank, ask if they know where the oil top up is and the header tank etc. gives you an idea if they have any clue about maintenance. Make sure central locking is working, the AFT roof goes up and down smooth. Check tail gate struts and rubber seals around doors for excessive wear.
Just search google for... "What to look for when buying a second hand car" Then hone that in on Bongo's - 3 hours one evening that will pay you back dearly.
http://www.wikihow.com/Check-out-a-Used ... -Buying-It
Ideally a Bongo's rear arches and the panel metal surrounding it should be 100pct free of rust or bubbling, check the sills under and waterways / seem run offs for rust. Also under the hood check the drain hole is not blocked in the windscreen sill/water way collector runner (or whatever it is called
)
High mileage does not have to be the end of the world if maintained well,
but if it has done say 200,000 kms or 160,000 miles then the entire mechanics of the vehicle has (that mileage need not be a problem for diesel for example), suspension, steering, axles, bearings, engine, drive shafts, gearbox have as well unless service history is present.
If someone who is selling you it seems evasive about your questions, or unpleasant in attitude like they don't care or don't have answers or are excessively hesitant, sling yer hook,
dealer or private. Go with your gut feeling.
Luckily we bought ours from a couple who were nice people and honest about everything (just like ourselves) and only lived 30 miles away, £5K, 3 years ago and it is a
great Bongo. Can't get one for 11K, rubbish.
Hopefully if/when this gets sold on we can get more than I paid cause it is better now than it was before and I have a close watchful eye on it through the year to stop/treat rust. No plans of selling for a good while yet mind you.
