Buying an ex-rental and warranty

P

Penguin Power

New Member
Evening all,

I'm looking at an ex campervan rental, it's a 2022 van that was bought new. The company are saying they bought the five year extended VW warranty for it which I assume has just over a year left on it. The company are not a dealer so I don't get any guarantees from them but I would be buying it from a limited company. The van hasn't been rented since September so they've SORNed it, which they say is to save money, which I can understand. But equally it's not been driven since then.

My questions:
Would you feel comfortable with this?
Would you get a mechanical check on the vehicle like RAC/AA?
Is there anything else you would do to feel reassured?

Thanks
 
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Penguin Power said:
Evening all,

I'm looking at an ex campervan rental, it's a 2022 van that was bought new. The company are saying they bought the five year extended VW warranty for it which I assume has just over a year left on it. The company are not a dealer so I don't get any guarantees from them but I would be buying it from a limited company. The van hasn't been rented since September so they've SORNed it, which they say is to save money, which I can understand. But equally it's not been driven since then.

My questions:
Would you feel comfortable with this?
Would you get a mechanical check on the vehicle like RAC/AA?
Is there anything else you would do to feel reassured?

Thanks
Click to expand...

My only observation would be that I would NEVER buy any vehicle until I'd had a test drive of it, yet that's going to be difficult if it's still SORN'd.
 
Update from the seller, it's had one service and is now due it's 4 year major service, which they've booked in at VW main garage. The MOT is due end July, and they've offered to do that too.

Question: Bearing in mind it's been a rental and then it's been SORN since September, is there anything specific I should request the VW garage checks for me?


I've read somewhere about asking for a report on when the fault codes were last cleared and if the airbags have ever been triggered.

Any suggestions helpful
 
One service in 4 years?

Id wave adios - thats not indicative of a vehidle that's been cherished and smothered with love, particularly if youre seeking the reassurance you mention. There's no shortage of vans and campers with a full history to choose from.
 
One each year on the regular schedule, so I'd want to see 3 stamps in the book, and the forthcoming service could be regarded as an early fouth.

It's not just the servicing aspect - likelihood is its dandy mechanically - but it speaks volumes for how the owner cared for their and treated vehicle. With so many full histry campers out there why would you even bother considering it?

Even if you buy it the problem hasn't gone away - when you eventually try to sell it yourself prospective purchasers are going to be put off by missing services. Also, if there's a huge failure, say the engine grenades, the warranty underwriter may demand the full history before paying out. I know someone just been caught out like that with a Nissan commercial.
 
The van will be on the long life service intervals, which should be chosen dependent upon how the vehicle is used, so doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a full service history per se. There are valid arguments as to whether it should be serviced more regularly, but it really does depend upon use.
 
I’d add that if it’s been SORN and not moved since September, really inspect the tyres.
Not good to have a vehicle sitting for long periods on the same tyre contact patch as it can deform the tyre.
Ideally they should be rotated regularly or tyre pressures increased to reduce the possibilities of tyre flat spots.
Check the health of the vehicle starter battery as well. They don’t like being left for long.
 
EAN said:
The van will be on the long life service intervals, which should be chosen dependent upon how the vehicle is used, so doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a full service history per se. There are valid arguments as to whether it should be serviced more regularly, but it really does depend upon use.
Click to expand...
It shouldn't be on the on the long life interval at 15k in four years - that shcedule is for high daily mileage vehicles to keep lifetime costs down for fleet buyers. This should be on the annual schedule.

What else has been skimped on?

If its only had one service it probably hasn't had its brake fluid changed at 3 years as it should, so the extended warranty wont pay for any 'wet' braking component failures such as ABS pump etc, and VW are really hot on checking that after expensive ABS issues on some of the car range - they absiloutely will not pay without proof of on time fluid changes.

Its not so much that a single service is harmful - its probably fine - but it opens all sorts of cans full of worms for the future that could be easily avoided.
 
Last edited:
Sasquatch said:
It shouldn't be on the on the long life interval at 15k in four years - that shcedule is for high daily mileage vehicles to keep lifetime costs down for fleet buyers. This should be on the annual schedule.

What else has been skimped on?

If its only had one service it probably hasn't had its brake fluid changed at 3 years as it should, so the extended warranty wont pay for any 'wet' braking component failures such as ABS pump etc, and VW are really hot on checking that after expensive ABS issues on some of the car range - they absiloutely will not pay without proof of on time fluid changes.

It’s not so much that a single service is harmful - it’s probably fine - but it opens all sorts of cans full of worms for the future that could be easily avoided.
Click to expand...
Mine was set to the long life interval from new. It wasn’t until I had my first service at 2 years that my indie recommended that I have it serviced annually. I knew no better. My van is now coming up 3 years old and is about to have its second service together with the brake fluid change which (as you rightly point out) is due at 3 years. I’ve covered only 7000miles.
I consider mine as still having a full service history and hope no one would be put off from it not having a service at 1 year and about 2000miles.
As @DaveD says, I think mileage is relevant.
 
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