[applepicker]

There are vans on ebay with the tank etc already fitted out.

Is it easier to buy like this than just the van?

e.g.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Connect-L220-D-mobile-valeting-van-window-cleaning-van-rare-lwb-/152263838778?hash=item2373a1cc3a:g:GR8AAOSw8gVX4ksR

[Shrek]

I could be wrong.... But I think the maximum payload for a 220 is 825 kg. a 230 has a 900kg payload. So I don't know if you can legally have a 1000 Ltr tank in the back ..... But I could be wrong

[Cookie]

To be honest kitting the van out yourself is ever so easy & you can do it the way that works best for you. You can get all the bits from Pure Freedom or somewhere similar. I wouldn't say that I'm particularly good at DIY but I managed it - I did however get help from the local garage in securing the tank through the van chassis.

[Cookie]

I could be wrong.... But I think the maximum payload for a 220 is 825 kg. a 230 has a 900kg payload. So I don't know if you can legally have a 1000 Ltr tank in the back ..... But I could be wrong

I think you're spot on Shrek 

[Arnold Palmer]

A connect van with a 1000l tank full of water will be way overloaded. I have a 230 and 500l is near the limit.

[applepicker]

To be honest kitting the van out yourself is ever so easy & you can do it the way that works best for you. You can get all the bits from Pure Freedom or somewhere similar. I wouldn't say that I'm particularly good at DIY but I managed it - I did however get help from the local garage in securing the tank through the van chassis.

Isn't it worth getting a company to do it for £1500 with the RO, plugin system tank etc?    And if you do this is, is it worth paying £5000 for a van?

[lal]

A connect van with a 1000l tank full of water will be way overloaded. I have a 230 and 500l is near the limit.

I have a T230   900Kg  payload   with a 500L tank, like you soupy i thinks its near the limit also.

Lal

[applepicker]

How about this -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/window-cleaning-van-/182298041421?hash=item2a71cf5c4d:g:cbcAAOSwOyJX7lUS#shpCntId

Seems so cheap.  I don't care about being tired as long as it goes.  It has the tank I need.  I could get a 40 40 RO fitted then when get a new van move it to the new van.

[Shrek]

How about this -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/window-cleaning-van-/182298041421?hash=item2a71cf5c4d:g:cbcAAOSwOyJX7lUS#shpCntId

Seems so cheap.  I don't care about being tired as long as it goes.  It has the tank I need.  I could get a 40 40 RO fitted then when get a new van move it to the new van.

Looks like he's been eating the seat and in picture 4 , you can see in the reflection of the van window, his Mrs has big fat knockers

[Spruce]

As per the others really. Buying a DIY system someone else has bodged together is not the way I would go, especially as he's got a 1000 liter IBC tank in the back.

The MOT history seems pretty good, although the brakes should have been repaired long before the MOT station found them to be faulty.

However, I won't even consider the van due to its high mileage of 153K.
Under service history the seller has listed N/A. ? A service history is important. No service history means you have no idea what has been done to the van in its lifetime.  Has the cambelt been changed?  For me, a lost service history is someone with something to hide.

Would I buy a van with a system installed? Definitely, but it would need to be done professionally and a system supplied by a main supplier, ie Purefreedom etc. 

 

[applepicker]

How about this -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/window-cleaning-van-/182298041421?hash=item2a71cf5c4d:g:cbcAAOSwOyJX7lUS#shpCntId

Seems so cheap.  I don't care about being tired as long as it goes.  It has the tank I need.  I could get a 40 40 RO fitted then when get a new van move it to the new van.

Looks like he's been eating the seat and in picture 4 , you can see in the reflection of the van window, his Mrs has big fat knockers

lol.  But as long as it's mechanically sound, right?  And 350 litres is better for me.  Good starter van?

[Shrek]

If its mechanically fine with service history , it might be ok . If its mechanically fine with a system that doesn't suit the payload then no .

[Spruce]

I personally wouldn't touch that van.

If you are starting out creating a professional image is very important in our line of work. That van doesn't portray that IMHO.

Look on the MOT history for the past couple of years and you will probably see the reason why he wants to sell it. There are lots of advisories that the next owner will have to replace. I don't see it as being in "good condition all round for age."

EML light is on. I'm surprised that that is an advisory for MOT but could also be long term future expense. The EML covers import stuff such as emissions, EGR valve, engine management etc.
Not something I would take a chance on.

It could also be one of the early 825kg payload vans rather than the later 900kg payload PSA uprated them to.

.

[Slippy]

Did you get that info from putting the car reg into the government MOT website?

I have found that I get my work canvassing and the  customer doesn't see my battered old car.  When I turn up with it to work they seem happy as long as I do a good job, but could be wrong

[Spruce]

Did you get that info from putting the car reg into the government MOT website?

I have found that I get my work canvassing and the  customer doesn't see my battered old car.  When I turn up with it to work they seem happy as long as I do a good job, but could be wrong

Yes, and then interpret what you see.

Looking at each MOT I get the impression the then owner only did what it needed to get it through the next MOT. He ignored the advisories, one of which was "slightly corroded brake hoses" two years in a row. Would I want to risk my life driving a van full of water with slightly corroded brake hoses?

The owner wasn't worried, whether it was his life or another road user. All he cared about was getting it through the next MOT. He then tells you the van is in good condition overall. The body may look passable but the mechanics aren't.

The condition of the driver's seat says it all.

Another thing to look at when buying a van is the condition of the interior load area. Does it reflect the same good condition as the outside. If it doesn't then believe the van was treated in the way it looks on the inside. Presume the outside was repainted etc to make it look well cared for.

.