advice before buying my first bongo!!!

[roma]

Hi all
A bongo I am interested in (2000 , petrol) had this in MOT fails : "Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))"
It has been fixed (comes with new MOT) but I'm worried this may be an indication of rust to come. Past MOTs do not mention corrosion.
If I'm to buy it I will have to do so without viewing as is far from me and lots of interest already. (I've already missed 2 I wanted this summeras I couldn't get to view quick enough.)
Any thoughts and advice gratefully received...

[Mark Wilson]

Unless it's being bought from a known reputable Bongo dealer, I wouldn't even think about buying without it being viewed underneath by someone who understands about corrosion in these old buses. I knew mine had some issues when I bought it privately last year, but once I really got to grips with it I was shocked by the extent of corrosion which had been allowed past its recent MOT. Fortunately I was able to weld some of it myself and found a very good repairer to do the bits I wasn't comfortable with, so I've now got a good solid Bongo.

Bettter to miss a few than end up with a money pit!

Mark

[Bob]

Have to agree with Mark.

If it's a private sale or not one of the reputable dealers don't even think of buying unseen.

[g8dhe]

When you look at the MoT, what were the dates between Fail and Pass ? If its less than several days run like hell! So many fail and then are miraculously repaired within 24 hours and that includes the time of getting to and fro the MoT station!!