To have bought a heap of rust

[WhatonearthwasIthinking]

I don't know what to do - I spent 5k on a camper van last week, know nothing about cars at all. Just wanted it and the couple selling it seemed genuine.

Just got back from a garage and it needs so much work doing to it, body and mechanical. No recourse to the original owners, totally my fault for not doing any research or getting advice beforehand.

I already know IABU - and bloody stupid - to have bought it so my question is:

AIBU to put some money into it so I can at least get 12m pootling round the county with my dogs and my fairy lights? Or should I just write it off?

Fix it! How much would it cost to make is safe a road worthy?
I would love a camper!

Depends on how much it's going to cost to make it roadworthy....can you get someone to give you a quote??

Now I've read that, I know this was the response I was hoping for!

Oh dear! Campers are very pricey at the moment, one this cheap was bound to be a pig in a poke. I would try to tart it up to make it safe so I could get some use out of it. You’ll get to hang out in nice places you wouldn’t have been to before snd the dogs won’t care if it’s a bit scabby. Happy travelling!

Not sure - I've got a cursory report with a list of faults on it, but they wouldn't quote without a full examination.

Got it booked in for a quote on Tuesday. I'm thinking if it was 5k, then for 10k I will have got something that I know isn't going to fall apart on me, whereas I could spend 10k and not know, if you see what I mean.

Just what I'm thinking, thank you ☺️

@WhatonearthwasIthinking i understand. How bad are the faults?? I'm a mechanic daughter and I have a love of old cars x

I've attached the list. The problem I have is this is everything which needs doing - I don't know which of these are essential and which are precautionary.

77k on the clock and MoT passed March 2024.

Don't understand. Why did you take it in to the garage in the first place? Was there something specific bothering you? Or are you someone who only ever owned brand new cars?

If it's MOT'd for the year then why would you not simply drive it!

I feel your pain! Is it a VW t25?
Absolute barstarding money pit, but get it roadworthy and it's fun (I suppose).

Good point - I want to personalise it but didn't want to spend too much on it if it wasn't sound. You are right - I could just have done what I wanted to.

And maybe I still will - every car over a few years old is going to need something done, my car is 10+ years old and I wouldn't dream of taking it to a garage asking them what could potentially go wrong with it.

Yep!

What did the last MOT say? - particularly the advisories (check here - www.gov.uk/check-mot-history). You've posted what looks like an independent inspection report which doesn't make clear what's serious and what's superficial.

I love our old MH, we got a bargain partly because it was a distress sale on the part of the previous owner and partly because we knew it would need a bit of work. But old campers and MHs can be moneypits. Ultimately it's worth what it's worth to you for the use you make of it and the joy it brings.

Did you not even test drive it?

Nothing like that list - minor things which I budgeted for, no more that £500 assuming I got them all done.

Yes, it drives fine - I loved it!

You know though that VW T25s are a highly desirable, collectable vehicle (I keep telling myself this), mine is total rust bucket, it's called the "rat"look ...remember to wave as you pass other T25 s on the road
Also there are loads of Facebook groups for this particular van, join up they have a wealth of knowledge.

"Aux belt snapped" is something you should notice on a test drive, did you do any manoeuvres or test the blowers?

Was the battery light not on when you test drove it? Did it start ok?

Also try and find a garage that is used to dealing with VW campers!

It started fine, I drove it round and reversed it, no lights were on the dashboard.

I didn't test the blowers.

You're being really helpful @ShutTheFuckUpCakes thank you - not being sarcastic there!

I'd get a second opinion from a different garage ..because that list doesn't read like it's about vehicle which passed an MOT only months ago.
Maybe a second opinion might be a good idea, or maybe there's someone on here who can say which of those flagged faults are urgent/dangerous and which you can take a view on.. AA do pre-purchase checks for a fee, you could get them to do one for you.
There's not a lot you could have done if you're not a mechanic yourself, OP, you couldn't spot thinks like pitted brake discs.
Check yourself for corrosion where you can- eg the drivers steps. How bad does it look?
Anyway, one of the camper vans is going to require you to pick up basic maintenance skills- treating rust might be a good place to start!

I would take it for another vehicle health check somewhere else too and compare reports. I offer those for free. I’d say the brakes probably need attention but ask for a percentage wear on the pads rather than it saying “wearing thin”. The binding could be caused by a sticky calliper slide or a stuck calliper. That report alone is not helpful and frankly scaremongering without categorising the works as advisories or urgent.

Was any of the corrosion noted as an advisory?

Ask the garage that's given you the report to tell you which of the corrosion items need to be repaired, and which are surface and can be cleaned and treated to stop it progressing.

I'd just go back and ask the garage to add a note about what needs to be done and what those would cost, and which are observations. With the corrosion and a VW anything you can do at the earliest opportunity to clean up, treat, and protect it from recurring is going to save you money in the long run. Sills can be replaced if neccessary, but better to intervene earlier.

Either the people you bought it from got a dodgy mot, or the garage you've taken it to are seriously trying to rip you off.

@DogInATent the bumper was mentioned as corroded as was a sill - both state structural rigidity is not significantly reduced