Hi everyone,
My wife and I are excited to finally be joining the VW campervan community! We're back in the market after a brief hiatus from camping. We bought our first camper, a 1993 Toyota Hiace 4x4 Japanese import, back in 2020 (a classic COVID purchase!). It served us well until last year, but with the kids grown and not keen on joining us anymore, we decided to take a break. Well, that break lasted less than nine months – we've missed it so much we're already itching for another van!
Our old Hiace was "okay for what we paid," but we naively didn't consider how tricky it would be to source parts for a 30-year-old Japanese import. Plus, 30-year-old metal rusts if you look at it funny, and with drum brakes, leaf springs, and no turbo, it was, shall we say, "glacially slow" and not exactly a joy to drive by today's standards. We used to eye up all the VWs on campsites, dreaming of easy parts, endless modification options, and being part of a proper community (the UK Hiace community is pretty much non-existent, though they're huge in the Southern Hemisphere!).
So, the hunt is on for our first VW campervan. We're primarily looking at a T5.1, T6, or potentially a T6.1 if the budget stretches. It absolutely has to be a LWB for our large (40kg!) Greyhound. Ideally, I'd love an automatic as they're just so much easier to drive. My research suggests the DSG gearboxes are generally reliable if serviced correctly – my Audi A4 auto has been religiously serviced and drives like new, so I'm optimistic!
I'm currently looking online at a 2018 T6 Highline, converted last year by Taylored Campervans. The conversion looks to be really good quality. It's a T30, 150BHP, LWB with DSG, tailgate, cruise control, front and rear sensors, reverse cam, and air con. All sounds great... until I saw the mileage: 194,000 miles!
It comes with lots of service history, though not all main dealer. I've only seen records for gearbox oil services at 46,493 miles (2019) and 142,492 miles (2022). Apart from that, it seems well looked after with nothing untoward on previous MoTs, just the usual advisories.
However, the major concern is that a significant amount of money has been thrown at it recently due to EGR and AdBlue issues. Part of me thinks this is a good thing as these common problem areas might now be sorted, but the other part worries that the van is nearing the end of its natural life. I know many people say these engines go on for years, but this recent history is making me hesitant.
Here's a breakdown of the recent work I've seen:
My main questions are:
Thanks in advance!
My wife and I are excited to finally be joining the VW campervan community! We're back in the market after a brief hiatus from camping. We bought our first camper, a 1993 Toyota Hiace 4x4 Japanese import, back in 2020 (a classic COVID purchase!). It served us well until last year, but with the kids grown and not keen on joining us anymore, we decided to take a break. Well, that break lasted less than nine months – we've missed it so much we're already itching for another van!
Our old Hiace was "okay for what we paid," but we naively didn't consider how tricky it would be to source parts for a 30-year-old Japanese import. Plus, 30-year-old metal rusts if you look at it funny, and with drum brakes, leaf springs, and no turbo, it was, shall we say, "glacially slow" and not exactly a joy to drive by today's standards. We used to eye up all the VWs on campsites, dreaming of easy parts, endless modification options, and being part of a proper community (the UK Hiace community is pretty much non-existent, though they're huge in the Southern Hemisphere!).
So, the hunt is on for our first VW campervan. We're primarily looking at a T5.1, T6, or potentially a T6.1 if the budget stretches. It absolutely has to be a LWB for our large (40kg!) Greyhound. Ideally, I'd love an automatic as they're just so much easier to drive. My research suggests the DSG gearboxes are generally reliable if serviced correctly – my Audi A4 auto has been religiously serviced and drives like new, so I'm optimistic!
T6 Highline with High Mileage – Cause for Concern?
I'm currently looking online at a 2018 T6 Highline, converted last year by Taylored Campervans. The conversion looks to be really good quality. It's a T30, 150BHP, LWB with DSG, tailgate, cruise control, front and rear sensors, reverse cam, and air con. All sounds great... until I saw the mileage: 194,000 miles!
It comes with lots of service history, though not all main dealer. I've only seen records for gearbox oil services at 46,493 miles (2019) and 142,492 miles (2022). Apart from that, it seems well looked after with nothing untoward on previous MoTs, just the usual advisories.
However, the major concern is that a significant amount of money has been thrown at it recently due to EGR and AdBlue issues. Part of me thinks this is a good thing as these common problem areas might now be sorted, but the other part worries that the van is nearing the end of its natural life. I know many people say these engines go on for years, but this recent history is making me hesitant.
Here's a breakdown of the recent work I've seen:
- 12/2021 – 126k miles: Replaced EGR pipe and gaskets (£550)
- 09/2023 – 182k miles: AdBlue module, EGR cooler and valve replaced (£1415, inc. service)
- 05/2024 – 188k miles: Replaced NOX sensor (£750)
- 11/2024 – 193k miles: Replaced EGR cooler (£1365)
- 02/2025 – 194k miles: Replaced all glow plugs and carried out DPF regen (£825)
- 03/2025 – 194k miles: Replaced AdBlue tank (£1250)
- 07/2025 – 194k miles: Fit replacement drive shaft (£???? - haven't seen the invoice for this one yet).
Seeking Your Wisdom!
My main questions are:
- Are T6s really this unreliable, and should I seriously consider a T5.1 to avoid potential AdBlue headaches?
- Or could this particular van just be a "jinxed Friday afternoon build" that will continually drain my wallet?
- Given that these specific, expensive components have recently been replaced, do you think I "should" be okay for a while?
Thanks in advance!
