[Johnny B]

My Berlingo which some of you know recently fried itself was bought for €1500 3 years ago. It had a few issues initially but I got them sorted and until its mysterious demise was reliable enough for me to live with.

I'm looking for another, similar van. What I like about them is the bodywork is durable as the underbody is galvanized I believe, the old 1.9 engine is pretty bomb-proof and there is a lot of storage space in the cab. Parts are readily available and affordable too. If I can find another one that doesn't self-combust, I would buy it in a heartbeat.

John

[RPCCS]

I have run 2/3 grand vans since starting wfp 12 years ago, 2 of them I kept for  3 years first one, then 4 years second one. First was 51 plate Berlingo 1:9 d, second  a 04 plate  Dispatch 1:9, both were bullet proof for the time I had them, Then I bought an 07 plate Transit and it was a rot box, kept it8 months then sold it. Current van is  10 plate Dispatch 1:6: I paid £5k for it almost. 22 months ago and it’s the one I have spent the most money on repairs with. I am due an inheritance later this year so will buy a nearly new van , keep it for no more than 3 years, then do the same again. If I was in the o p’s position, I would wait until you move to a more desirable area, then instead of buying a cheapie, put the money down as a deposit on a nearly new one. Instead of shelling out for parts or repairs, on an old van, that money would be better spent as repayments on a newer van. That way hopefully you will get some warranty with it  and it will spend more time working for you rather than in the garage.

[Ooooooog]

In the last year I’ve had two clutches/flywheels and a head gasket go, plus other bits, bearings etc.
The only one that’s had no trouble is the 06combo, the old banger.

[Crystal-clear]

I bought a brand new Doblo for about 10K and ran it for 8 years and sold it to son in law one. He ran it for 4 years and sold it to someone on this forum as a cheap and cheerful runabout. It might even still be running now.

[/quote]

Speak of the devil Sorry was busy re filling this beauty for tomorrow might still be running now? Does a bear s*** in the woods it's been smashing it every day hasn't missed a beat since November 18

Prime example guys clean tidy 06 doblo single user system flew through it's recent MOT with 0 spend
Hits the work at the crack of Dawn I absolutely love it I'm going to be looking  after it for years to come rest assured shes in good hands 

So in this particular case guys £1,400 vs £10,000
You are whooping £8,600 up now let's say gear box goes tomorrow for £500 you are still £8,100 up I can't help and realise that economic trade-off! As long as the vans look good no rust no body work damage a van is a van she doesn't need to be a work of art they will both make the same money!

Spruce correct as ever the Ford Transit connect does tend to rust. I have had one for years and been spending on welding 2 x once I think it was £500 but guess what! Once its welded your on the road again for another 3 years 
I keep thinking about getting rid of it but every time it gets nearer to the MOT I know I can get through it with another 3 to £500 which is still cheaper than £5,000 for example!
The only thing that's on my mind about cheap vans is the emissions that might start hitting Greater London need to look into that!

[Stoots]

Yep no one counts depreciation as a cost which is daft.

10k van soon becomes a 5k van.

1k van might take the same time to become a £500 van.

So 4.5k worth of repairs needed to make the 10k van the best financial option.

Highly unlikely to happen.

I don't think I'll bother spending that much on my next van they just get battered. I seem to bump mine at least twice a year lol

[Crystal-clear]

Yep no one counts depreciation as a cost which is daft.

10k van soon becomes a 5k van.

1k van might take the same time to become a £500 van.

So 4.5k worth of repairs needed to make the 10k van the best financial option.

Highly unlikely to happen.

I don't think I'll bother spending that much on my next van they just get battered. I seem to bump mine at least twice a year lol

Ha exactly ! Now that you've added that into the equation we may have just shook the market!

[Spruce]

My Berlingo which some of you know recently fried itself was bought for €1500 3 years ago. It had a few issues initially but I got them sorted and until its mysterious demise was reliable enough for me to live with.

I'm looking for another, similar van. What I like about them is the bodywork is durable as the underbody is galvanized I believe, the old 1.9 engine is pretty bomb-proof and there is a lot of storage space in the cab. Parts are readily available and affordable too. If I can find another one that doesn't self-combust, I would buy it in a heartbeat.

John

I was looking at Berlingo's on Ebay this morning and saw this.
Asking a bit much I think but he must believe low mileage is worth another £500. At a quick glance I thought this was a reasonable buy.

Dent on the front left fender/wing and not sure about the rear 'window' panel but otherwise it seems to look ok.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CITROEN-BERLINGO-1-9-DIESEL-65-000-MILES-ONLY-1-OWNER-SINCE-NEW/303233028653?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3Dace228887a0e4defad8cb2da93b9bbb6%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D15%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D143462766679%26itm%3D303233028653%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A9a87e5e5-3327-11ea-913b-74dbd1802eea%7Cparentrq%3A8c3985f116f0a4b77c95b41aff80923e%7Ciid%3A1

I have looked at the MOT test certificates and there is something wrong with the mileage the past 12 years as its hardly changed. So I've changed my mind.

It was an Irish import as well. 

[dazmond]

ive always had high mileage old bangers up until a few years ago,it helps if you have a decent,cheap backstreet garage that you can trust for  repairs/welding jobs,etc.....

[dazmond]

My Berlingo which some of you know recently fried itself was bought for €1500 3 years ago. It had a few issues initially but I got them sorted and until its mysterious demise was reliable enough for me to live with.

I'm looking for another, similar van. What I like about them is the bodywork is durable as the underbody is galvanized I believe, the old 1.9 engine is pretty bomb-proof and there is a lot of storage space in the cab. Parts are readily available and affordable too. If I can find another one that doesn't self-combust, I would buy it in a heartbeat.

John

I was looking at Berlingo's on Ebay this morning and saw this.
Asking a bit much I think but he must believe low mileage is worth another £500. At a quick glance I thought this was a reasonable buy.

Dent on the front left fender/wing and not sure about the rear 'window' panel but otherwise it seems to look ok.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CITROEN-BERLINGO-1-9-DIESEL-65-000-MILES-ONLY-1-OWNER-SINCE-NEW/303233028653?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3Dace228887a0e4defad8cb2da93b9bbb6%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D15%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D143462766679%26itm%3D303233028653%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3A9a87e5e5-3327-11ea-913b-74dbd1802eea%7Cparentrq%3A8c3985f116f0a4b77c95b41aff80923e%7Ciid%3A1

I have looked at the MOT test certificates and there is something wrong with the mileage the past 12 years as its hardly changed. So I've changed my mind.

It was an Irish import as well. 

i reckon its been clocked.......the van is 19 YEARS OLD! .........id stay well clear if i was him......

[Richard Groves]

I've my eye on a Berlingo that I may call to take a look at this weekend. I never knew you could look at previous MOT tests, mileage and advisories. I've learnt something  ! Thank you Spruce . 

[Stoots]

The 1.9d is a wise choice.

Slow as a slug but very reliable.

They don't make em like they used to

[Richard Groves]

The one I've my eye on is a 1.6HDI L1 850 (2012)

[Spruce]

I've my eye on a Berlingo that I may call to take a look at this weekend. I never knew you could look at previous MOT tests, mileage and advisories. I've learnt something  ! Thank you Spruce . 

Its a good way of getting an idea of how well the vehicle you are looking at has been looked after before. 

Who would send a vehicle to MOT without checking the basics such as bulbs and wipers, or water in the washer bottle?  If the vehicle had been serviced properly just before each MOT there should be no fails and few if any minor advisories.  I've often seen  just the failures fixed and the advisories ignored. Then the same advisories come up the following year.  The vehicle is advertised as one careful owner, vehicle maintained with no expense spared.

Have a look at this as an example.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-Ford-Mondeo-2-0-TDCi-SIV-Zetec-5dr/392575122026?hash=item5b674cfa6a:g:fQ4AAOSw849d8fCG

Nice looking car and appears to be well looked after.   The MOT history tells a different story. The dealer is asking a higher than average price for that model and year, probably due to its appearance.

If a seller has the number plate obscured or advertised with his own name plate, I would wonder what he is trying to hide. If it was a vehicle I was really interested in I would phone and ask for the reg number. If he wouldn't give you that (his prerogative) then I would look else where.


 

[Spruce]

The 1.9d is a wise choice.

Slow as a slug but very reliable.

They don't make em like they used to

 

When they first came out as the 1.9d in 2000 (they were 1.8d when they were first launched in 1999) people who test drove them were convinced they were turbo engines. When compared to the old Ford Escort vans that were popular at the time, they were very nippy.
How times change!

[AuRavelling79]

I bought a brand new Doblo for about 10K and ran it for 8 years and sold it to son in law one. He ran it for 4 years and sold it to someone on this forum as a cheap and cheerful runabout. It might even still be running now.

Speak of the devil Sorry was busy re filling this beauty for tomorrow might still be running now? Does a bear s*** in the woods it's been smashing it every day hasn't missed a beat since November 18

Prime example guys clean tidy 06 doblo single user system flew through it's recent MOT with 0 spend
Hits the work at the crack of Dawn I absolutely love it I'm going to be looking  after it for years to come rest assured shes in good hands 

Glad to hear the old girl is going well - for the record I think I sold it to Dan with 45K on the clock and it was 65 ish when he sold it to you?

Great little van - only a 1.3 but with a cam chain there has been no payment on cambelt changes either.

In 2011 for six months it had me, Dan, a 400L in the back and a trailer with a 200L tank working hanging off the back of it - until I bought my present van as a two man set up.

[Richard Groves]

I've my eye on a Berlingo that I may call to take a look at this weekend. I never knew you could look at previous MOT tests, mileage and advisories. I've learnt something  ! Thank you Spruce . 

Its a good way of getting an idea of how well the vehicle you are looking at has been looked after before. 

Who would send a vehicle to MOT without checking the basics such as bulbs and wipers, or water in the washer bottle?  If the vehicle had been serviced properly just before each MOT there should be no fails and few if any minor advisories.  I've often seen  just the failures fixed and the advisories ignored. Then the same advisories come up the following year.  The vehicle is advertised as one careful owner, vehicle maintained with no expense spared.

Have a look at this as an example.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-Ford-Mondeo-2-0-TDCi-SIV-Zetec-5dr/392575122026?hash=item5b674cfa6a:g:fQ4AAOSw849d8fCG

Nice looking car and appears to be well looked after.   The MOT history tells a different story. The dealer is asking a higher than average price for that model and year, probably due to its appearance.

If a seller has the number plate obscured or advertised with his own name plate, I would wonder what he is trying to hide. If it was a vehicle I was really interested in I would phone and ask for the reg number. If he wouldn't give you that (his prerogative) then I would look else where.

Great tips as always Spruce 👍
The one I've seen is advertised as a full service history, although it's Mot is only until March, its history shows no failures apart from its first (tyres) and no advisories for last year's one.

[RPCCS]

If its at a dealership, then ask if it will be sold with full MOT, if not walk away. There are plenty of other good old vans to be had that will have a decent MOT. Uf you are looking at a 1.6 Berlingo check the mileage cam belt and water pump due at 109k ir 10 years. Also when you test drive it any smoke, white that doesn't disappear after about a mile, walj away, blue ir black smoke, walk away. You are talkinf injector trouble or valve stem oil seal trouble.  I git ripped with my 1.6 Dispatch, had to have 4 new injectors fitred after 4 months ownership. £650.. The 1.9 is much more reliable and easier to work on.

[Richard Groves]

If its at a dealership, then ask if it will be sold with full MOT, if not walk away. There are plenty of other good old vans to be had that will have a decent MOT. Uf you are looking at a 1.6 Berlingo check the mileage cam belt and water pump due at 109k ir 10 years. Also when you test drive it any smoke, white that doesn't disappear after about a mile, walj away, blue ir black smoke, walk away. You are talkinf injector trouble or valve stem oil seal trouble.  I git ripped with my 1.6 Dispatch, had to have 4 new injectors fitred after 4 months ownership. £650.. The 1.9 is much more reliable and easier to work on.

Thank you Rich, will take that advice on board. Its a private sale so hoping for some wriggle room on price, but if not I'd like a new MOT on it, that's for sure.

Its got 100k on clock but looks mint from pics. I've seen others with lower mileage but more age related marks and scrapes, tatty dusty load beds and paint spills etc. always makes me concerned they've had a hard life.

[RPCCS]

Ask if the cam belt and water pump have been done, if so you need to see an invoice for that. If mot then factor that in the price, it will cost 3pp-350 to get done. It is preventative maintenance, if yout cambelt snaps its bye bye engine., as the valves and pistons will connect at the wrong time, thus bending the valves.

[Crystal-clear]

I bought a brand new Doblo for about 10K and ran it for 8 years and sold it to son in law one. He ran it for 4 years and sold it to someone on this forum as a cheap and cheerful runabout. It might even still be running now.

Speak of the devil Sorry was busy re filling this beauty for tomorrow might still be running now? Does a bear s*** in the woods it's been smashing it every day hasn't missed a beat since November 18

Prime example guys clean tidy 06 doblo single user system flew through it's recent MOT with 0 spend
Hits the work at the crack of Dawn I absolutely love it I'm going to be looking  after it for years to come rest assured shes in good hands 

Glad to hear the old girl is going well - for the record I think I sold it to Dan with 45K on the clock and it was 65 ish when he sold it to you?

Great little van - only a 1.3 but with a cam chain there has been no payment on cambelt changes either.

In 2011 for six months it had me, Dan, a 400L in the back and a trailer with a 200L tank working hanging off the back of it - until I bought my present van as a two man set up.

Haha yeah if you needed that much water dont blame you for upgrading.Dan was so helpful too really a pleasant guy
Oh it was about 82k I think shes about to turn 90 so about 8k in just over a year as I say flew through its last MOT with no extra spend apart from a tyre so well chuffed