An inspection calls…

mackemmark · Oct 27, 2024

Hi, I’m new to the world of VW T2s and am looking at purchasing a 1973 Bay. Before doing so, I’d like a specialist mechanic to give it a thorough inspection. Are there any recommendations for people or companies who can undertake this? I think the likes of an AA or RAC inspection aren’t going to be worth it. Many thanks!

ozziedog · Oct 27, 2024

I’m pretty sure you’ve nailed it with the two rescue companies mentioned as in they wouldn’t have too much of an idea in general but there may indeed be someone in those companies that knows T2s. I don’t know of anyone that inspects along these lines. However there may be a member or two on here that could possibly recommend a decent garage local to you that you may be able to take it too for an appraisal . These are very old vehicles in excess of fifty years old and the primary enemy is in fact rust. All the mechanical issues can usually be sorted fairly easily but the rust and more importantly the hidden or painted over rust is the downside. It’s too easy to look at the bodywork and think it looks great when in fact you’re looking at fresh paint and filler. Might also be worth an ask over on the LateBay.com as they have a lot more members country wide .

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,good luck bud.

creationblue · Oct 28, 2024

Also to help you, buy from someone who has owned the vehicle a long time, they are more likely to be honest about the good and bad points. Be careful of fresh paint as it normally covers a whole load of problems that will appear in 6months time, in fact the scruffier the paint is the more you can see that the van is solid or not as the case may be. As Ozzie said the mechanicals are relatively cheap to fix but the rust is not!
Good luck

mackemmark · Oct 28, 2024

Thank you for the very helpful replies. Sound advice!

AircooledKate · Oct 29, 2024

mackemmark said:
Thank you for the very helpful replies. Sound advice!

There are companies that do comprehensive inspections but that would normally be post-purchase in order to get everything as it should be. What’s your location, it might be worth speaking with one of them to see if they’d do a pre-purchase one?

Totally agree with @ozziedog - we had one in for a new engine earlier this year, the RAC had been called out due to a dynamo not charging the battery but still turning and he decide that the best option to get them home was to put a new battery on and cut the fan belt, needless to say, 20 minutes down the road, the AIRCOOLED engine went bang - because obviously the fan wasn’t turning. Stay away from them.