Bongo Fury

We're trying to sell out beloved bongo however due to interest and time wasters we're getting nowhere and, as we need to move it, I'm now looking at selling for parts to a breaker.

Such a shame as its absolutely fine (barring an issue with the earthing on the lights).

How does one go about selling for to a breaker for parts? What's a fair price for "scrap"?

Olly

It depends. If it is an original 8 seater then a specialist Bongo breaker will take it off your hands for about £500, maybe a bit more depending on condition. But if it has camper/kitchen units then considerably more.

THanks.

Yes, I should have said, side conversion, rock and roll seats, new fridge, hob, sink, gas, water, leisure battery, mains feed. The works. Only has 131k on the clock

Honestly gutted that we need to look at scrapping it, we're not even asking that much for it (£5k).

Any idea where I can get it ripped up in the south and ideally get a fair price for it?

Try Kevin at Southern Bongos. 02380-733995. Have you thought about advertising it on the Bongo Fury For Sale page at https://igmaynard.co.uk/for-sale/

Thanks will call Kevin so I have knowledge of the options.

Didn't even know that there was a sales page, will happily post there. Thanks.

If theres only an electrical issue with the lighting you'd be better off having a lecky look at it as theres no breaker going to give you 5k, I just weighed in an old lexus which had never let me down in the four years I had it but the road tax was more than the car was worth and the sills were rotting out, I got 300 for it.

No, I'm not looking for a breaker to give me 5k. I've been trying to sell for 5k, but no one wants to even view it. Local bongo garage has several also unsold. Perhaps a local thing or wrong time of year.

I'm just after someone who might want to make me an offer for parts.

Its absolutely the right time of year for selling any camper. What the rust situation like? We bought ours for a lot more than five grand in January, same as yours with a side conversion but no R&R beds, I'm just finished getting all the stuff together to make it a rear convo to have a full size double bed in there. I'd put it back up with a slightly increased price stating the lights need attention.

We looked for vans and campers, even went to test a new import and all around the 8-9k price mark and some of them were dropping to bits, maybe the new fuel prices are putting people off. I tried selling my old lexus and a mini last year and all I got were calls from dealers with low offers, we eventually sold the mini to a dealer from kent who came to the N.E. and loaded it onto a truck to take it away, it was like brand new, low miles, new MOT etc but it was just sat on the drive for months while we had it on ebay and autotrader, the trouble is the new breed of buyer has no cash and would rather sign up to a 20k debt at a dealer than save a few quid for a motor.

Thanks for the reply. That sounds very much like our experience.

Lots of people being put off by advisories on MOTs and wanting something cheap that doesn't need any work.

The rust is minimal. It's a patch on the drivers door frame, which I'm hoping to get some time on this weekend (my job keeps me very very busy most days) hopefully along with the lights.

Otherwise, it's the chop shop as I can't keep moving it around the parking areas here.

To tell the truth on the several we were interested in other than the fresh import the MOT histories were the first thing we looked at too as these bongos have a bad rep for rust, its why we chose the one we have even though its older than we really wanted its only been in the country three years, has been undersealed at import, low miles and should do us fine for a good few years as I'll continue trying to keep the brown stuff at bay. Hope you get a taker, all the best.

"Something cheap that doesn't need any work." Good luck with that one... especially in Bongo world.

In saying that they are still good value compared to VW etc. I like Bongo's but I am also quite realistic.. we have had our fair share of pain and expense with ours. To get some value I think they are a vehicle where you need to be able to do a bit yourself and want to look after them.. unless you like them and have plenty of money to keep sorting them out... rust/welding eventual overheats etc. You can keep anything on the road if you throw enough money at it.

If you want a Bongo it will stand you in good stead to sort out the rust on sight. Do not leave it and take care of it... it is really easy to sort rust out as long as it is surface. If I can do it anyone can.. you are only really looking at sandpaper, a wire drill bit, a few products to use, pair of leather rigger gloves and safety goggles and something to sit on on the floor for a few hours. It is far from rocket science and will likely cost £50-70. What might cost you £50 could be £1,200.00 in a couple of years if left in the wrong conditions.

I am not much use with mechanics but can service it and undertake a few small jobs with a bit of forum help so you do not need to be a full on mechanic to do what to be fair any driver should be able to do. i.e. do basic maintenance.

I have never had a car bought for more than a grand in my life till I had a Bongo so I know about sorting rust which helps a bit.

Driving in general, is not the low cost pursuit it used to be in 2022. At least a Bongo is a superb and useful leisure vehicle. So you get a lot of
enjoyment in return.

I was brought up with rusty cars. My Dad had an old Anglia which was more fibre glass than metal. He hand painted it by brush and it looked great. Can remember all the Dad’s fixing up their old cars.

I'm desperate for a few parts if you are willing to break, before going to the scrappie in the sky.
If you advertise for spares or breaking, see what parts people are after, you may be able to make more money that way.
I would offer you cash for rear indicator unit on drivers side, interior bits and pieces, some struts from parts of bodywork.
Maybe your kitchen conversion, lights, wheels, panels, could all be sold as seen.
Where are you based?

Don't give up. I know it all takes time.