Buying new but not new

[M1CK]

Hi All, I'm new to the world of transporters, at least I'm hoping to be.
I'm in the process of buying a transporter from a main dealer. Volkswagen TRANSPORTER T30 SWB DIESEL -2020
First registered Jan 2025, low miles. I'm hoping the knowledge here might be able to give me some honest warnings, before I sign and buy. Are there likely to be any issues with a van that is 2020, 12 miles on the clock?

 

[Sasquatch]

Hi All, I'm new to the world of transporters, at least I'm hoping to be.
I'm in the process of buying a transporter from a main dealer. Volkswagen TRANSPORTER T30 SWB DIESEL -2020
First registered Jan 2025, low miles. I'm hoping the knowledge here might be able to give me some honest warnings, before I sign and buy. Are there likely to be any issues with a van that is 2020, 12 miles on the clock?

Battery is probably on its last knockings if its original.

It'll need a service and, most importantly, brake fluid changing if it hasnt already been done.

Tyres might not be good if it's been sat in the same spot for 5 years. I'd want them replaced personally in your shoes.

But if it's properly recommissioned before sale it shouldn't be a major risk. I'm guessing the manufacturers warranty is still current if it was only actually registered three months ago...?

 

[Chippie1]

You would like to assume it will go thru workshop prior to sale so all items @Sasquatch mentioned should be checked

 

[Drive Wayne]

I would worry about a van sat around for that long, but with a good service, if its cheap, you should be good!

 

[Sasquatch]

The cynical part of me thinks that many dealers would try and get away with simply PDI'ing it as they would any regular new vehicle rather than reduce their margins by spending money properly recommissioning it, so I'd scrutinise things very closely.

Or maybe I'm unduly suspicious?

 

[TrevorK]

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Discover our Approved Used Commercial Vehicle programme which offers used vans in a perfect working condition. Find a used vehicle today.

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‘Vehicles under 3 months old go through a visual health check.’

I agree with @Sasquatch

 

[M1CK]

Thank you all. I've got the van and I now need to start sorting things like insulating it, roof bars, etc.. to make it a bit more user friendly...

 

[The Bear78]

A few years ago, Litchfield Motors (Subaru dealer) bought a batch of motorsport spec Impreza's and dry stored them for a while.
A few years later, they decided to put them up for sale so they were checked over and registered.
A friend bought one but it wasn't until the drive home that he discovered the cooling fans had seized! Evidently the PDI didn't extend to warming the engine fully...

 

[Sasquatch]

A few years ago, Litchfield Motors (Subaru dealer) bought a batch of motorsport spec Impreza's and dry stored them for a while.
A few years later, they decided to put them up for sale so they were checked over and registered.
A friend bought one but it wasn't until the drive home that he discovered the cooling fans had seized! Evidently the PDI didn't extend to warming the engine fully...

When the original LR Defender was nearing the end of production, tuning and customisation gurus Twisted bought several hundred off the line and put them straight into storage.

The were the raw material for their custom spec products and were slowly taken out of storage as customer orders gradually ate into their numbers.

Nevertheless, despite not being in use, those that remained were serviced annually and periodically cleaned. A far cry from just dumping them in the corner of a compound in the elements and then dusting them off and registering them as "new" some years later as some less diligent vendors would.

 

[Chippie1]

When the original LR Defender was nearing the end of production, tuning and customisation gurus Twisted bought several hundred off the line and put them straight into storage.

The were the raw material for their custom spec products and were slowly taken out of storage as customer orders gradually ate into their numbers.

Nevertheless, despite not being in use, those that remained were serviced annually and periodically cleaned. A far cry from just dumping them in the corner of a compound in the elements and then dusting them off and registering them as "new" some years later as some less diligent vendors would.

I read this story big outlay for him but paid off handsomely