Advice on van?..................

LewisM · Jun 28, 2018

My van blew up last week (literally) and I've been looking at a replacement and came across this on eBay its Cat N with what looks like very light damage but because its at the front i was wondering what you guys think? Stay clear? apart from the damage in the pictures below its rather good condition.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Advice on van?..................

LankyWill · Jun 28, 2018

Looks knackered from where im standing, looks like it will let water in. id steer clear...

MJPD29 · Jun 28, 2018

I wouldn't touch it. Try and stick with ford or volkswagon in my opinion

suffolkspark · Jun 28, 2018

Just check if it effects the insurance, randomly i once got a cat d insured and it cost more! Also you may get away slapping a new door on but cant tell if A post and hinges are straight

ruston · Jun 28, 2018

It would have to be cheap . Those repairs could be worse than they look .
The pillar could be affected , and it's a door and wing at best , plus the refinishing. As above , forget it.

Octopus · Jun 28, 2018

sell your Merc and buy a decent van?

LewisM · Jun 28, 2018

Just need something for doing the odd job and stuff not to be daily used as I'm not a sparky by trade anymore.

Gavin John Hyde · Jun 28, 2018

Have a look on vanmonster for used vans, its part of northgate finance, the vans may have medium to high mileage but they are serviced throughout there lease term every year and have the paperwork, when the lease comes to the end, northgate hand them to the vanmonster retail part of the firm to flog. can usually get some good offers from them.
can get a 14 plate pug partner for £3.8k +vat..

rolyberkin · Jun 29, 2018

From experience I wouldn't touch a write off whatever degree of damage as they are a pain to sell on, it looks minor damage which you could probably bolt a new wing and door on in the same colour from a donor van if you are that way inclined. I used to buy and do up damaged cars but don't touch them now due to the stigma and very poor resale values.

MisterE · Jun 29, 2018

As Gavin says try "Vanmonster" and take a look at their ex-British Gas vans (mainly, but not all, VW Caddy).
The standard BG van spec. includes racking, LED lighting, air con, heated door mirrors and high security lock on the back doors.
But watch out for the speed limiters (or programming)

JK-Electrical · Jun 29, 2018

Not worth the risks involved. Walk away.

suffolkspark · Jun 29, 2018

If this was me and i needed a van and it came up and it was reeeealy cheap and otherwise in good nick, and you plan on running it into the ground and not resell in the future, id check the A post is still straight and grabit and sling a new door on it its a risk obv

telectrix · Jun 29, 2018

new door my arse. hammer and a bit of filler, coat of blue paint. any decent panel beater can fix that bit of a dent.

rolyberkin · Jun 29, 2018

telectrix said:
new door my arse. hammer and a bit of filler, coat of blue paint. any decent panel beater can fix that bit of a dent.

Cost you more than buying a door off ebay from a scrapper and bolting it on!

Squid · Jun 30, 2018

CAT N is the replacement to C and D, the A pillar may be bent if its too goo to be true then it is and it would have already been snapped up repaired and punted on.