We have a 2011 vantage Motorhome (PVC). It is a lovely van but is getting old.
We would like to keep it but worry about the Fiat mechanicals on a 12 year old van.
Any suggestions on how to find an expert mechanic to give the fiat side a good check and advise of probable condition.
I’ve tried a couple of local service garages but they only seem interested in a standard service.
Thanks
12 years old? Blimey! My Fiat is 30 this year and runs like a dream. I don't pay good money to any garage, but do have my MOT garage who will give me an honest MOT, plus 2 more small garages for any jobs that I ask for. Last week I had the timing belt done. If I want something special, say before a foreign trip, I will simply ask for what I want, and explain any extras. Never had a problem working like that. You have to find a garage that you trust for costs and reliability. Stick with them and you will be recognised as a loyal customer, even friend. Forget the big garages and main dealers. Look in the back alleys and railway arch type places.
I would have thought a Fiat Commercial dealer would be able to give it a once over, especially if you were having a service done at the same time. I assume prior to this it has had regular servicing? They will be able to put it on the diagnostic computer for the electrical and computer side but other things will require a visual inspection. Being a van conversion its probable done a fraction of the miles it would had it been a working vehicle.
Agreed. And keep an eye on any rust.
We got our first MH aged 10 & part X’d when it was 25, still going strong (on a VW T4 cab), but rust was ongoing maintenance by then. Having said which, we got £6K for it in 2018 & an identical year & model was sold on another forum for £15K last year.
11 years old is not old. My Bongo is 26 years old and has done 220,000 miles. It is still in great shape mechanically although the body is starting to look a little tired with fading paint and a couple of rust spots that I have just treated. My Land Rover is 36 years old and is now on its 3rd engine and 2nd gearbox, although the 1st engine and gearbox we swapped out when it was changed from diesel to V8 petrol. Regular maintenance is the key. The engine, gearbox and drivetrain should last for at least 200,000 miles in a commercial diesel vehicle, Normal regular servicing with decent quality oils and fluids should be sufficient to keep it running well and if it has a timing belt make sure that is changed at the recommended time. If it is still on its original belt I would recommend that it is changed soon regardless of mileage as the belts do degrade with time. The thing that often kills older vehicles is rust. Staying on top of that by regular inspection and treating any spots that appear as soon as possible is key. I would recommend getting the underside, inner sills and inner wheel arches protected with something like Waxoyl and making sure the paintwork on the outer sills, especially around the doors, is sound.
Thanks to everybody for your replies.
I’m sure your are correct that it should last for a long time more.
I have asked both my usual garage and a Fiat commercial garage if they can do a confidence check but they balk at doing anything but the standard services.
I think I will take the advice given, belt change and rust and trust to everyone’s expectation of a long van life.
Thanks again
A confidence check is asking a bit much as it’s not standard & you might claim against them later. A full itemised service should be enough, as per the handbook (not just the oil change), and whatever should happen at that age or mileage (whichever is soonest). Replace tyres when they’re 7 years old max based on the date on the tyre wall (we didn’t, had 2 blowouts). The MOT include a rust check of structural parts - or that’s what our 25 year old MH failed on regularly.
Then relax & enjoy your camping.
A full service at the main dealer should cover inspections and necessary oil and fluid and filter changes etc to keep it running correctly. They should also inspect ball joints and brakes etc by dismantling as required by the manufacturers service requirements.
In addition to that the MOT will inspect all safety related components within the limits of an MOT, i.e. they will not dismantle to inspect.
Between the two that should be all you need to do. For extra protection and peace of mind join AA or RAC etc in case something goes wrong.
Quote: Originally posted by martin734 on 16/3/2023
11 years old is not old. My Bongo is 26 years old and has done 220,000 miles. It is still in great shape mechanically although the body is starting to look a little tired with fading paint and a couple of rust spots that I have just treated. My Land Rover is 36 years old and is now on its 3rd engine and 2nd gearbox, although the 1st engine and gearbox we swapped out when it was changed from diesel to V8 petrol. Regular maintenance is the key. The engine, gearbox and drivetrain should last for at least 200,000 miles in a commercial diesel vehicle, Normal regular servicing with decent quality oils and fluids should be sufficient to keep it running well and if it has a timing belt make sure that is changed at the recommended time. If it is still on its original belt I would recommend that it is changed soon regardless of mileage as the belts do degrade with time. The thing that often kills older vehicles is rust. Staying on top of that by regular inspection and treating any spots that appear as soon as possible is key. I would recommend getting the underside, inner sills and inner wheel arches protected with something like Waxoyl and making sure the paintwork on the outer sills, especially around the doors, is sound.
Quote: Originally posted by martin734 on 16/3/2023
11 years old is not old. My Bongo is 26 years old and has done 220,000 miles. It is still in great shape mechanically although the body is starting to look a little tired with fading paint and a couple of rust spots that I have just treated. My Land Rover is 36 years old and is now on its 3rd engine and 2nd gearbox, although the 1st engine and gearbox we swapped out when it was changed from diesel to V8 petrol. Regular maintenance is the key. The engine, gearbox and drivetrain should last for at least 200,000 miles in a commercial diesel vehicle, Normal regular servicing with decent quality oils and fluids should be sufficient to keep it running well and if it has a timing belt make sure that is changed at the recommended time. If it is still on its original belt I would recommend that it is changed soon regardless of mileage as the belts do degrade with time. The thing that often kills older vehicles is rust. Staying on top of that by regular inspection and treating any spots that appear as soon as possible is key. I would recommend getting the underside, inner sills and inner wheel arches protected with something like Waxoyl and making sure the paintwork on the outer sills, especially around the doors, is sound.
That Land Rover sounds like Triggers Broom.
Not really, apart from the engine and gearbox it is mostly original. It is an ex-National Grid vehicle so already had things like a winch and heavy duty suspension and chassis from the factory. I have fitted a few extras like an air brake system for trailers up to 4000kg and an LPG system.
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Topic: Mechanical checks of older van.
via mobile 16/3/2023 at 9:45am
