Mileage

[Toffeecat]

Just wondered what you all think of my recent discussion with the fella who services my car and will service my van (not hab check). I mentioned how this is my last camper/motorhome and need to keep it for many many years and need to make sure I don't rack up to many miles each year. He told me to not worry as its a van. Its designed for loads, stop starts and if looked after will last over 500,000 miles. I never thought of that. It is after all, based on a van. The mechanicals built for a tough life. He said they are just ran in at 50,000 miles. So its time to use it even more. Looks like these van based camper/motorhomes can last a very long time and why I still see so many old ones. Its not a car, its a van.

 

[ProDave]

It's usually tin worm that ends the days of most vehicles. If used for summer holidays when there is no salt on the road and a lot less rain. that worry probably goes.

i had the same discussion with my local garage about my Hilux. His opinion they are bomb proof as long as you change engine oil at least every 10K and timing chain at 100K

 

[RichardHelen262]

I used to do European courier work, using sprinter vans, as they came with 3 years unlimited mileage warranty,I would change it every 3 years, in that time every one of them would have just over 500,000 miles,
Except for my last one as I stopped doing European work and went back to just doing uk work so I kept it until almost 7 years old where it had 922,000 miles, I was going to see how far past the million miles I could do with it,
Until some scroat stole the dpf, with the cost of a new dpf and other parts, plus coming up to need a mot and windscreen I decided it just wasn’t viable so sold it on for spares or repairs

 

[YeoBlade]

When I sold my last one I racked up 70k in it. 14 yrs old. Driving my new one is like chalk and cheese. Both same size Ducatos. Whilst you can continually repair things they just do get old with use. Triggers broom was a different story

 

[Toffeecat]

My wifes car a little 1.2 Fiat 500 petrol. One on Youtube 250,000 miles. Diesel Octavia I used to have 500,000 and following a fella with a T6 315,000 with only issue an injector. Looks like if you look after them they last. Bit like us humans. Yep, its the rust that kills them. Ill get the Lanoguard out tomorrow.

 

[YeoBlade]

My wifes car a little 1.2 Fiat 500 petrol. One on Youtube 250,000 miles. Diesel Octavia I used to have 500,000 and following a fella with a T6 315,000 with only issue an injector. Looks like if you look after them they last. Bit like us humans. Yep, its the rust that kills them. Ill get the Lanoguard out tomorrow.

We have two FIAT 500s with the 1.2 FIRE engine. Only 40 &50 thou on them but one's an Auto so that'll give up way before the engine does.. Cheap and simple to work on like the ride.

 

[Robmac]

Leaving them unused for long periods doesn't do them a lot of good either.

 

[trevskoda]

All above correct, drive it fastish when you can to get the oil to do its job, change it as instruted, have the inside of doors and any oter panels plus underside sprayed with a underseal, lanolin/waxoil etc, do not let it site doing nothing as the gives brake problems, dont do short jurneys just to keep batteries up, that does more harm than good, 20 miles min a fortnight or so with a bit of speed keeps things right.

 

[barryd]

Yep mileage is one thing you never have to worry about in motorhomes as long as its been serviced. You will find availability of parts more of a problem long before the engine has had enough from too many miles.

 

[Wooie1958]

Regular oil and filter changes and getting it hot enough to burn off the moisture from the oil and brakes are the key to longevity IMHO and none of this as my father and brother-in-law say...

It's not done much this past couple of years so why bother wasting your money .......... then wonder why they cough, splutter and run like shyte with binding brakes.

The " Italian Tune Up " actually works and so long as you let the engine warm up normally first a damned good thrash and stamp on the brakes periodically instead of gentley using engine braking then feathering them to stop.

 

[Toffeecat]

Wish I had an older diesel far less complicated easier to fix, no DPF no Adblue. Oh well. If anyone ants to see the poor state of cars, I watch Mechanical Nightmares on Youtube. Some folk just shouldn't have cars.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Mileage only counts at sale time really, we all prefer low mileage, but if this is your last one, Bovvered.

 

[barryd]

Regular oil and filter changes and getting it hot enough to burn off the moisture from the oil and brakes are the key to longevity IMHO and none of this as my father and brother-in-law say...

It's not done much this past couple of years so why bother wasting your money .......... then wonder why they cough, splutter and run like shyte with binding brakes.

The " Italian Tune Up " actually works and so long as you let the engine warm up normally first a damned good thrash and stamp on the brakes periodically instead of gentley using engine braking then feathering them to stop.

Every vehicle I own gets a dammed good thrashing including the motorhome. Its just my default.

 

[trevskoda]

Mileage only counts at sale time really, we all prefer low mileage, but if this is your last one, Bovvered.

I dont do the trade in stuff, i drive to it is not even worth scrap value.

 

[mark61]

You have to be more pro active than just having vehicle serviced. Most garages, including main dealers (maybe, especially main dealers} will only do the minimum, which hopefully would include oil/filter change. Have they done fuel filters though, 50/50 on that. They usually won't do gearbox, especially important on autos, brake fluid, coolant, axle oils etc, you have to request these, the chance are they won't be done otherwise.

Time matters as much as mileage on items such as brake fluid, coolant.

 

[bartman]

Every vehicle I own gets a dammed good thrashing including the motorhome. Its just my default.

 

[Toffeecat]

Im popping the van up on ramps after dinner. Who ever had it in its eight years of life only did 3,500 miles a year. Its fully dealer serviced which from experience means nothing. But it looks like it was only used in spring summer and stored in a dry place as the only rust I can see is on the suspension arms and thats only surface. But given I love autumn and winter camping and don't do much summer wise I'm cracking out the lanoguard from when I did the little Fiat. Luckily as im lazy, I have a great mechanic. He's a top fella and really knows his stuff and does a great comprehensive job. The issue with transporters is the damm cam belt. Loads about it online and debate. VW recommend it must be done every 4 years no matter how many miles. So the garage who sold me changed it and the water pump. Thats two changes its had and only 29000 miles. A cost worth remembering if you buy one. He said the one he removed was mint. Im sure VW know what they are doing???? Every 4 years. Ouch! Put a damm cam chain on them. Or make then gear driven. Come back pushrods all is forgiven.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Backwards step to supposedly make it better, Ford now soaks it in oil