What Do You Look For When Buying A Diesel Van

[Greengrass 205]

As above , not being at all mechanically minded what would be the things I should be looking for first when buying a second hand diesel van ? I,m thinking timing belt but any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers

[nans pat 2,575]

5,good tyres,full yrs test,t/belt done recent,test drive bout a good 20 mile,then letit idle for bout half n hour.watch the temp,

[fourtrak73 1,334]

A log book, a vin plate and a set of chassis numbers especially if coming from county durham

[j j m 6,596]

back box back springs ,and tyres and get behind it and let some one put ther foot down on accelerater and check for thick black smoke if its there walk away ,check vin number on dash on front windscreen to make sure it matches log book ,my mate got done last year with a ringer on false plates

[Greengrass 205]

Thanks NANs pat, that's a fair old test drive though ( 20 miles ) , I know a timing belt having been changed is very important is it around 100 000 it should be done and also if the seller says it's been done but does,nt have a receipt is there any way of checking ?

Cheers

[j j m 6,596]

you can check it easily old from new old will be well worn

[onion jonny 527]

check for smoke from the exhaust black is fuel white is water blue is oil, take of the oil filler cap when the engine is ticking over and look for any smokey fume coming out as this is back pressure, ask if they have proof of the belt change, try and drive it with the hand brake on to check if the clutch is slipping, press down heavy on each corner and watch to see how the car returns if its bouncy theirs a prob with the suspension, look from the rear along each side of the car to see if there are any areas that look like they have or had damage, check tyres for tread and uneven ware, just some of the things to look for, if in doubt leave it theres always another for sale

[Jonjon79 13,358]

www.check-mot.service.gov.uk will give you some useful history and make you aware of any potential problems from recent MOT advisories.

 

...... all you need is the make and reg.

[forest of dean redneck 11,848]

Look for low mileage with not many owners, check body works straight, no different sized gaps on wings doors etc,check around headlights /radiator and underneath at back for accident damage.when engines cold pull expansion cap off and oil dipstick look for creamy gunk that shows head gaskets gone.listen to see if engine rattles badly , check heater gets hot and blows air out .check control switches works.

[jacknife 2,005]

Look for different make if its a VW Crafter or Sprinter new shape 56 onwards

 

I can give you a list of the faults guaranteed to go wrong with them

[The one 8,543]

Ross2508 is a mechanic in your neck of the woods pm him if he doesnt know of any he might help you out

[beamish78 142]

dip the tank to ensure its ruining on cherry

[Greengrass 205]

Dfcheers all, I,ve just done a search on the member list on here and can't find the Ross mentioned , if anyone is in contact with him could they get him to drop me a pm.

Thanks again

[dytkos 17,864]

Good service history

 

Cheers, D.

[gnasher16 30,598]

Good service history

 

Cheers, D.

At last someones mentioned the most important thing !.....a lot of second hand vans of a certain mileage are going to be ex fleet vehicles if it hasnt got a legitimate service history walk away.