Top tips when buying a Classic VW Campervan
Before you part with your hard earned cash it pays to do a little research. Firstly search the trusty internet and forum’s and find out which VW Campervan is best suited to your lifestyle. Whether it be a Classic Air-Cooled Bay Window tin top, a Westfalia with a pop top roof or a Water-cooled VW T25 each has their own pro’s and con’s.
Think about your ideal budget and what you expect to get for your money. A pristine newly restored VW Bay Window or VW Split Screen may cost £40k or more whilst a Classic VW priced in the £20k region may look sparkling on the outside there is no guarantee of the workmanship beneath the paint. Any T2 under £15k is generally going to need substantial work and priced below £10k will fall in the project category.
When searching for that purchase ask potential sellers for close up photo’s of the vehicle including the underside, sills and wheel arches or a walk around video. It’s difficult to see the condition of the body in photo’s that are taken from a distance.
If your potential purchase passes the initial test and you decide to arrange a viewing be sure to check the bodywork for filler. A simple magnet test is sufficient enough if the magnet doesn't stick to the vehicle then that area contains filler. The panels should have straight lines with no ripples or dints. Walk to the front or the rear of the vehicle and look down the side as this will highlight any dints or imperfections. Check the edges and lines of the doors which should shut correctly and have a similar gap the whole way around. The wheel arches and underside should be clean showing no signs of filler or rust. Check under the window and door rubbers for signs of rust or overspray which can show poor workmanship.
If the seller is claiming the vehicle has been recently restored they should be able to provide copies of all receipts and photos of each stage of the works.
Check the engine does not leak, smoke or knock. Check the underside where the vehicle is parked up for signs of any oil leaks. Take the vehicle for at least a 30 minute test drive preferably starting from a cold engine. Check for smooth acceleration without misfiring and do an emergency stop to check the vehicle brakes in a straight line.
Finally take an expert with you it’s a small cost to pay for peace of mind and to ensure your purchase isn’t going to cost you a fortune in repair work!
Check out Dream Day Campers pre inspection service which starts at £120.00.