Buying a T6 with high mileage
In 2021 I bought my 2019 T6 kombi with almost 100 000 miles (150 00 km) at at a reposessed vehicle auction, with very little proof of service history, but she is in an excellent condition. Had her serviced, replaced both cambelts etc. No problems so far, added another 10 000 already. I cannot consider resale value because the van was modified for wheelchair access and I will have to keep it for as long as possible, but I guess it will be difficult to sell with such high miles. Do not buy ii if it is not exactly what you want. Keep looking, the right one for you is out there.
Only you can make this decision but I understand that knowing what other people have done can support your decision-making.
We faced a similar situation - the vehicle that ticked all our boxes but had 150k on it, or a handful of other vehicles that weren’t quite what we wanted with much lower mileage - all at a similar price.
We went for the higher mileage vehicle because we figured out who had owned it previously as a fleet vehicle and could see from the service manual that it had been thoroughly serviced by VW. It had done 30k miles a year BUT we know that our our mileage in our last van had been about 5k per year. So we reckoned that if we keep it for another five, then it would be the same mileage overall as a vehicle that had done 17.5k miles a year.
We’ve really bonded with the van and not looked back once because it’s exactly what we knew we needed from prior experience.
Good luck with the decision.
We faced a similar situation - the vehicle that ticked all our boxes but had 150k on it, or a handful of other vehicles that weren’t quite what we wanted with much lower mileage - all at a similar price.
We went for the higher mileage vehicle because we figured out who had owned it previously as a fleet vehicle and could see from the service manual that it had been thoroughly serviced by VW. It had done 30k miles a year BUT we know that our our mileage in our last van had been about 5k per year. So we reckoned that if we keep it for another five, then it would be the same mileage overall as a vehicle that had done 17.5k miles a year.
We’ve really bonded with the van and not looked back once because it’s exactly what we knew we needed from prior experience.
Good luck with the decision.
I would certainly hang out for the right spec and defo the DSG box, if this is what you want. Hang on more vans will come up for sale - We have a 70 plate T6.1 LWB DSG coming into stock tomorrow, but is obviously more than the numbers you are talking about above
Considering a SWB 68 plate transporter start line, higher mileage than I would normally look at however I know the van has been well maintained. It’s sitting at 140K, are there any specific things I should be looking at that may be ready to give up or things to look at on the service/repair history.
The van is a blank canvas, which I like, I’d plan to work on it with my sons, install side windows, remove the bulkhead, insulate and and one seat in the back (to keep space for bikes).
The big plan is a trip to the alps, so needs to have a level of reliability…
The van is a blank canvas, which I like, I’d plan to work on it with my sons, install side windows, remove the bulkhead, insulate and and one seat in the back (to keep space for bikes).
The big plan is a trip to the alps, so needs to have a level of reliability…
i wish i could get this across to people looking at the van i have for sale. 300k and more is the expected lifespan for these when run commercially in DE. up and down the autobahn day in day out. just look after them regularly and they're good enough.
the truth about reliability is you wont know until you've run it a while. but dont let 140k put you off a cheaper van, it leaves you more to put into the build.
the truth about reliability is you wont know until you've run it a while. but dont let 140k put you off a cheaper van, it leaves you more to put into the build.
My old Toyota 4Runner had 180k when it went. Cheapest and most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. At that mileage engine only just run in. Never any apprehension it wouldn’t get me where I needed to go. I am sure it would be good for way over 500k with regular oil change. But that was Toyota and not VW 
Had it 7 years and sold it for what I paid for it. body work suffered from our salt and believe they are brought for breaking and the engines shipped off to Africa etc where they dont have the same corrosion issues. I bet they will still be going strong at a million miles. There were taxis on the road capable of that years ago.
Yes running gear etc also done those kind of miles but these type of items are designed to be replaced.
As others have said I would not be put off by a well looked after high miler if it makes the spec affordable. I always think “condition” is important. If the cab etc is battered it is very difficult to get that back and would wind me up
Had it 7 years and sold it for what I paid for it. body work suffered from our salt and believe they are brought for breaking and the engines shipped off to Africa etc where they dont have the same corrosion issues. I bet they will still be going strong at a million miles. There were taxis on the road capable of that years ago.
Yes running gear etc also done those kind of miles but these type of items are designed to be replaced.
As others have said I would not be put off by a well looked after high miler if it makes the spec affordable. I always think “condition” is important. If the cab etc is battered it is very difficult to get that back and would wind me up
What engine is it? Correct servicing - and an oil change at least every 10k /1 year will service you well. Properly warmed up on every run and you will have small issues. And by that mileage most of the issues would have been dealt with.
We have customers with 300k mile transporters that we service and look after.
We have customers with 300k mile transporters that we service and look after.
Hi new to this forum & VW. I’ve been offered a T5.1 ex rac van has a rock & roll bed in the back no other conversion, it currently has 220k mileage. It’s a tidy van with FSH & selling for £12k, no MOT failures or advisory’s. I would love the van but I’m concerned about the mileage as I’m no mechanic.
The current owners I know, they say they haven’t had any major issues with it & it drives well. My aim would be to keep the van for a year to see if I like van life before investing in something dearer requiring finance.
Do you think this is a good deal, could I be setting myself up to fail with this level of mileage & would I get my money back in 12 months if I don’t add too much mileage to it? Thanks for any advice you can give I noticed this was a T6 page not T5 but couldn’t find a more appropriate forum. Thanks for any help you can give.
The current owners I know, they say they haven’t had any major issues with it & it drives well. My aim would be to keep the van for a year to see if I like van life before investing in something dearer requiring finance.
Do you think this is a good deal, could I be setting myself up to fail with this level of mileage & would I get my money back in 12 months if I don’t add too much mileage to it? Thanks for any advice you can give I noticed this was a T6 page not T5 but couldn’t find a more appropriate forum. Thanks for any help you can give.
Like any high mileage vehicle it sensible to invest in a professional inspection to highlight any possible mechanical issues that may be costly to repair or replace. In the end you will have to take a view on the price and what you are getting for your money with no real guarantees about future resale values.
