Automatic transporter suggestions for converstion, mileage, type, price?

[signtoo]

Hey all, new to the forums and seeing a plethora of useful information here!

I wanted to ask, those that are veterans in the campervan game, is it realistic to find the following well below £20k?

Must haves

1. Automatic (DSG or non-DSG)
2. Panel van (otherwise costs of converting goes up)
3. Recent-ish (no older than 6 years)
4. Decent service history

Nice to have

1. Highline
2. Tailgate over barn doors
3. Decent mileage: 50-70k mi
4. EURO6: although some people have said there have been minor issues with it, future proofing for trips into cities would be beneficial. Having said that, if there's a £10 tax per day to do this with say a EURO5, then the savings on a EURO5 may be worth it.

Most results I'm seeing for the above criteria is coming up at over £20k. I'm surprised to see them so expensive, but I'm not surprised that we started looking when prices were somewhat inflated (sod's law).

Are there specific times of the year it is cheaper to buy a van (say outside the hype season) or certain websites that may provide a van for 15-17k?
Or am I just dreaming and I need to accept it'll be around £20k for a decent T6 Auto?

 

[DaveD]

Recent-ish (no older than 6 years)

EURO6:

Welcome to the Forum.
If one of your "must haves" is a van no older than 6 years old, you've already ruled out Euro 5 vans.
Most used van purchases involve some compromise and I think if you want a T6 for under £20K you might have to make some.
There are many nice vans around with more miles on the clock than your preferred 50 - 70K which are good for many more miles, so I'd increase that if I were you.
Good luck with your search.

 

[DaveD]

For Sale - 2018 T28 SWB 150PS Manual Highline Camper. £21,000 P/X welcome

2018 '18' Volkswagen Transporter T6 SWB T28 150bhp Highline 6 Speed Manual - 1 previous owner - 107k, will rise slightly, still have some journeys planned for May. - Long MOT - Full service history, service book and various receipts. - Clutch and slave done August 2023 - Cambelt/waterpump done...

www.t6forum.com

 

[signtoo]

Thank you @DaveD for the reality check. It's then fair to say that I can look for more mileage to drop the price down to the £17k region. I have actually found two - one without a tailgate. That's an acceptable compromise, but I didn't want to compromise on the automatic. If they've got a good service history, I'll go with the assumption that MOT passes and good service history means a longer run van will be better than a shorter run van that has been battered without proper servicing.

 

[Chippie1]

I think 20k with your must haves is a little unrealistic unfortunately something will have to give. I find dsg seems to have a £1500-£2000 higher asking price.
Saying that there is some bargains to be had so best of luck