vito van advise

[mercmanuk]

starting up a building maintanance business in the manchester area and need a van.was looking for a nice secondhand vito 115 150bhp diesel.
ive been offered a choice of 5 vans all 1 owner "McLAREN MERCEDES"they have been used to carry parts over the uk.
sat nav,tiptronic,parking sensors,ply lined etc etc.
full mb service history and serviced 50 mls ago
down side all 170-200k miles.
2004 53 plates
£9000

put off with the milage but very good condition and full history
should i go for an older battered ex builders van with less miles for the same money or take a chance although miles high.
with full history surely anything needed would have been done
need advise from mechanically minded

cheers all

 

[Dieselman]

Go for the good condition high mileage van anyday. It will have spent most of it's life in high gear on motorways.
One that's been used by a company like McLaren as it is unlikely to have been abused as much and having mechanical work done shouldn't be aproblem as MB were probably paying for it.

 

[glojo]

Go for the good condition high mileage van anyday. It will have spent most of it's life in high gear on motorways.
One that's been used by a company like McLaren as it is unlikely to have been abused as much and having mechanical work done shouldn't be aproblem as MB were probably paying for it.

Couldn't agree more. Just look at your own descriptions.

put off with the milage but very good condition and full history
should i go for an older battered ex builders van with less miles for the same money

Is the battered ex builders van been lovingly looked after? Is it an owner driven vehicle where the owner has taken pride in using it?

The modern day engine will eat mileage without any problems PROVIDING it is looked after. Buying a second-hand vehicle is one thing, you must also look after it. Remember some folks look at the vehicle as an indicator to the person that drives it. (Not everyone)

Good luck with the choice
John

 

[Ian B Walker]

Go for the McLaren van. Mileage is not a real issue as Dieselman has said, probably 75% motorway mileage. Plus you get the toys with it. A builders van will be literally a shed on wheels. If you are starting a business then image counts. A nice clean van with no bumps and scratched paintwork will portray the right image.

 

[nick mercedes]

put off with the milage but very good condition and full history
cheers all

As with any Cdi check to see if the injectors have been changed, 200k might be the limit reliability wise...