Engine life in miles

[Fintious maximus]

Hi, sorry if this has been covered elsewhere. I’m viewing a 17 plate camper tomorrow that spent its first 5 year as a lease vehicle before being converted to a camper 2 years ago. I’ve seen the service history and it’s seems to have had everything needed done including cambelt when conversion was done. Only thing niggling me is that it has 149k on the clock. Anything I should look out for tomorrow? I assume that if week maintained the engine will do many more miles?

 

[Sasquatch]

Vastly dependent upon how its been treated, serviced and driven.

Anywhere from 10k to 400+ K miles, and all points in between.

That said, be aware certain variants that are akin to hand grenades with the pin pulled.

 

[Fintious maximus]

Ooh, what variants are those? This van is a 2 litre 148bhp

 

[Sasquatch]

Ooh, what variants are those? This van is a 2 litre 148bhp

You're probably safe enough with that variant.

 

[Lubrown]

I always find it odd vehicles, especially commercial, don’t also have an ‘hours run’ counter.
Vehicles used by civils contractors and utilities can be left idling for hours while the operator watches someone dig a hole. I see this often.
So even low mileage vehicles could still have a fair bit of wear on the engine and maybe a full DPF despite being low mileage.

 

[Bigsidavies]

Hi, sorry if this has been covered elsewhere. I’m viewing a 17 plate camper tomorrow that spent its first 5 year as a lease vehicle before being converted to a camper 2 years ago. I’ve seen the service history and it’s seems to have had everything needed done including cambelt when conversion was done. Only thing niggling me is that it has 149k on the clock. Anything I should look out for tomorrow? I assume that if week maintained the engine will do many more miles?

You need to factor into the purchase price a contingency for turbo/dpf/clutch if these things haven’t been done by now. Check the service history in depth to see if the big ticket items have been replaced recently, and if not them factor that into the price. But no reason why it shouldn’t have many more miles left in it.
We will be setting off for Switzerland/Italy/Croatia on Monday in our 2017 plate with 148k on it.

 

[DXX]

Avoid a vehicle with the extended oil service interval history.

 

[JumpShip]

The mileage wouldn't put me off but the price would have to reflect that .
I know a guy that's just bought an ex AA T6 150bhp 6 speed with same mileage for £10k so that's a comparable for you .

 

[Sasquatch]

Indeed. Id want a scrupulous history, evidence thatnits been loved and cossetted (ie, no minor scrapes that could have been inexpensively repaired, no Wang Tang Woosong budget tyres, etc) and a price that reflects reality.

 

[Lubrown]

Put the registration into the Gov.uk website to check MOT history too - it’s free and simple and gives an idea if a van has been cared for. Some I checked failed every single MOT for various reasons (tyres, brakes, bulbs etc) and that is a clear message the owner didn’t give any thought to maintaining the van. I see that and assume they are the type that doesn’t give two hoots about much at all so not only the maintenance but rules of the road and being honest in general.

 

[Fintious maximus]

Thanks for all the replies and advice. Had a couple of hours looking over the van today - been in the engine bay, under the van, checked everything, double checked service history (has had a dpf and cambelt and water pump in last 2 years). Went for a long drive and it was just like the 17 plate Cali Ocean with 20k on the clock that I hired last month. Couldn’t fault it at all and would never guess that it had 149 on the clock. So I’ve bitten the bullet and paid a deposit. Can’t wait to get it home and out on the road…

 

[JumpShip]

Congrats ! When do you get it ?

 

[Fintious maximus]

Hopefully next weekend

 

[DXX]

Years might be a better projected lifespan, diesels will be priced off the road before most have clocked 300K miles