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VW T4 Transporter Buyers Guide

 

Welcome to the VW Camper Van T4 Transporter Buyers Guide

VW T4 Transporter Buyers Guide

Buying Volkswagen T4 Transporter Camper

Volkswagen T4 Camper Buying Guide

Volkswagen T4 Buying Guide

General

I have written this guide as an aid to anyone who is thinking of buying a Volkswagen T4 Transporter camper van (known as the Eurovan in USA and Canada). Obviously there are  different model variants depending on the year as well as different conversion companies such as Autohomes, Autosleeper, Bilbos, Carthago, Danbury, Dehler, Fischer, Holdsworth, Karmann, Leisuredrive, Reimo and Westfalia so some of the information will apply to some campers and not to others. Some of the information mentioned is general and would apply to any vehicle but I will try to highlight issues that are specific to VW T4 Transporters (Eurovans). Also when checking a bus be realistic as you cant expect a cheap van to be totally free of faults. The idea of this guide is that it will help you make an informed decision highlighting any problems that exist so that you know exactly what you are buying. You can decide if the camper is worth the asking price and also if you can point out any problems to the seller it can give you a basis for price negotiation. Some of the information is based on my own personal opinion and you may not agree so feel free to e-mail me and let me know. I am also hoping readers will e-mail me with any useful advice that I can add to the site for the benefit of others.

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When going to view a van at the very least try and take someone with you that knows about general mechanics and bodywork. If at all possible take someone who has experience of Volkswagen campers. If you don’t know anyone see if there are any VW Owners Clubs in your locality and ask if someone in the club will come with you, as it really helps to have a second opinion (and pair of eyes!) especially if they know about VW campers.

When going to view a bus try to go on a dry day (not always possible in the UK!). On a wet day it is very easy to miss blemishes in paintwork and small rust bubbles. Also if the underside of the van is wet it can mask problems such as leaks from braking systems either from brake pipes, connections or from brake cylinders. These leaks would be noticeable as damp patches on the brake drums or on the floor underneath the van. Also if brake fluid or oil is dripping underneath the van it may not be as noticeable if the road underneath is wet.

Unless you have welding skills I would suggest that you buy the best van you can afford paying particular attention to the bodywork. If you have to pay a garage for welding and respray work it can add up to a lot of money. Generally the initial quote will end up being a starting point as it is quite likely more problems will be discovered once work commences. Mechanical problems are generally easier and less expensive to fix and can quite often  be done by yourself with the help of the appropriate workshop manual. When you do get stuck there are plenty of forums where you can post questions and get answers from other Volkswagen enthusiasts.

Ask the seller of the bus if he has any service history, bills for work done, previous MOT’s (can help verify mileage) or any other documentation. Generally the more history that is available the better the chance it is a good van as it is a sign the previous owners have looked after it.

Items that you will find useful to take on a viewing include a torch, a mat to lie on, a magnet and thin cloth, small step ladder and a cloth or tissues to wipe oil etc.

Bodywork

Introduction

The T4 Camper that you will be looking at is going to be anything between 8 and 20 years old so you should be aware of areas to check for rust. Rust proofing was much improved compared to earlier Splitscreen, Bay Window and T25 / T3 / Vanagon models but on a vehicle this age it is possible that it could have some rust issues.

Just because a bus has a nice shiny respray does not mean that it has been restored properly so sometimes it is actually better to buy a bus that hasn’t been resprayed so that you can see any problems before you buy it.

If buying a restored van ask the owner if he has photos showing the van before and during the restoration. Most people and garages restoring vans take photos so that you can see the job has been done properly using new panels and minimal body filler. Also if the van was restored by a garage ask the seller if you can see any receipts to confirm exactly what was done. If the seller does not have photos and receipts you run the chance that after a few months ownership you will start to see rust bubbles coming through that nice paintwork where rust has been patched and disguised with excess body filler. If you suspect that any area has been filled excessively then a simple test is to take a magnet and check if it sticks to the area. Put a thin cloth such as a handkerchief  between the magnet and the bodywork. Ask the seller before doing this as he may be worried about his paintwork but if he says no then it is quite likely he is worried about what you might find. If the bus has been filled then it can normally be spotted by standing at each corner of the bus stepping back slightly and looking down the entire length of the van. If you see ripples in the paintwork then there is a good chance that there is filler underneath.

    Body Panel Seams

On the earlier VW T25 / T3 / Vanagon model the main weakness in the design were the seams where the bodywork panels joined which eventually trapped water leading to rust. However VW recognized this problem and so for the T4 Transporter they did not use this method of construction.

 

 

    Main Chassis, Sills and Floor

    VW T4 Transporter  Chassis  Rust

If possible try and view the underneath of a VW bus using garage ramps so that the van can be raised to a comfortable position. If the seller cannot provide these facilities maybe you could have a word with a local garage and offer to pay him a small fee if he will let you use his ramps for fifteen minutes or so. Otherwise you will have to crawl underneath which isn’t too easy especially if van has been lowered.

As mentioned earlier the rustproofing is a lot better on VW T4’s than on the older VW vans but have a good poke with a screwdriver around any suspect areas (with the sellers permission of course!). Be wary of any van that has freshly painted underseal as it could be hiding rust so check it carefully. Check the chassis, floor and sills. The sills are the panels that run horizontally along the bottom of each side. Check the sills for rust and make sure that they are not full of filler and then painted with underseal. Sometimes patches have been welded to replace rusty areas. If any area of the inner or outer sill has been patch welded check the quality of the welds and also check that the patch has been welded to good metal all round.

Front Panels, Bonnet and Headlights

    VW T4 Transporter Front Panels

Due to the flat front and deeply sloping bonnet on the VW T4 all of the front panels are susceptible to stone chips that can develop into rust patches if left untreated.

VW T4 Transporter Windscreen  Edge Rust

Also look for rust in the front panel around the windscreen. The most common place is at the base of the windscreen in the corners. Generally if allowed to develop this can lead to water ingress into the van causing rust in any area that the water can build up.

    Front Wheel Arch

    Volkswagen T4 Transporter Front Wheel Arch Rust

Examine the front wheel arches from underneath and then open the doors and bonnet and check the inside. Check for filler all around this area especially in the lip of the wheel arches where mud can build up and retain damp leading to rust.

Driver and Passenger Doors and Cab Plastic Cab Step

    VW  T4 Transporter Drivers Door

    Volkswagen T4  Transporter Door  Rust

Open each of the doors and check at the bottom for any rust. If drain holes at the bottom of the doors become blocked then rainwater can leak in through bad window seals and build up at the bottom rusting the door from the inside out.

VW  T4 Transporter Drivers Door

Rust can also form at the bottom of the window in the corners.

Volkswagen T4 Transporter Drivers Door

Check the operation of the window winder on each door by winding window from top to bottom and back as parts of the assembly can become rusty or worn causing problems. If the van has electric windows then check that they operate correctly by opening the window fully and closing.

Check that door can be locked and unlocked using key (and plastic popper). Ideally the same key should lock and unlock all doors including sliding door and rear tailgate. This is normally a good sign as it suggests the van hasn’t been messed around with too much.

If the Volkswagen T4 camper has central locking check that each door (including tailgate and sliding door) lock and unlock when the drivers door is locked and unlocked. Problems with the central locking are quite common and can be caused by broken cabling where the cables feed through into the door or faulty actuators in the handle assembly.

Check the condition of the door trims and plastic pockets on the inside the door.

VW  T4 Transporter Front Door Trim

Open and close the door a few times checking that a solid slam closes it properly with each attempt. The hinges should be solid and the door should not drop when you open it. Check by applying light pressure that the door cannot be lifted when open.

With the door closed check that the gap between the door and the rest of the bodywork is equal all round. Check the condition of the rubber seal around the doors as if they are not effective water can drip onto the floor causing damp carpets and rust underneath as well as a damp seat which isn’t very pleasant to sit on!

Vokswagen T4  Front Plastic Cab Step

Check the interior plastic step cover is not cracked or damaged.

 

     

    Sliding Door and Plastic Step trim

    VW T4 Transporter Sliding Door

Check the sliding door from inside and outside the van for rust which will usually be at the bottom. Check also around the window aperture inside and out.

Next check the operation of the sliding door. It should roll freely and remain level when opening and closing.

Check the top runner guide for wear as it can get worn and then pop out. Lifting the door gently up and down should show any play.

When the door is closed it should fit flush with the body and the gaps between the door and the surrounding bodywork should be equal. If not it could be that the door is not adjusted correctly.

Check that the door can be locked and unlocked using the key and also using the little lever on the lock mechanism inside the van.

VW T4 Transporter  Sliding Door Step Trim

Check the interior plastic step cover is not cracked or damaged.

Fuel Filler Cap Access Door

Volkswagen T4 Transporter Fuel Filler Access Door

The bottom of the fuel filler cap access door tends to rust if not looked after. Purely cosmetic but unsightly.

 

Rear Wheel Arches

    VW T4 Transporter Wheel  Arch  Rust

The rear wheel arches are another area that can be subject to rust. Look inside the wheel arch as rust can be found where underseal has peeled off and water penetrated. Also if mud has built up in any area rust can build up underneath. Use your hands to feel round the lip of the wheel arch and check if filler has been used to disguise any rust. Also check with a magnet if in doubt as this a popular area to use filler and underseal to hide any rust.

    Rear Tailgate or Rear Doors

    VW T4 TransporterTailgate Rust

    Volkswagen T4 Transporter Rear Door Rust

 

The majority of T4 Transporter campers have a rear tailgate but some versions had a pair of opening doors. It is common for both types to rust at the edges especially at the bottom. Check also that the rubber seals are doing their job otherwise if water leaks through the tailgate it is going to cause rust and also damp in your rear cushion (which apart from causing a mildew smell is also quite possibly where you are going to sleep at night!). Check that the hinges and surrounding areas are solid and operate correctly. Check the lock is working properly using the key. Some conversions had a rear ladder to access storage areas on the roof. If the ladder has had regular use the mounting points on the tailgate can rust as the paint splits due to flexing of the bodywork or sometimes the tailgate can become dented due to excessive weight on the ladder.

The hydraulic struts that hold up the tailgate can become weak especially if a heavy cycle rack has been attached to the tailgate. The struts are easy to replace and not too expensive.

If a bicycle rack has been attached at some time then it is likely that there could be a dent or two in the tailgate as the weight of the rack plus bikes can leave its mark.

    Battery Trays

VW T4 Transporter Battery Tray

On the VW T4 Transporter the main vehicle battery (and leisure battery if fitted) are stored in the engine compartment under a black plastic cover on the right hand side (as viewed from the front) They are accessible by removing the black plastic cover. The battery tray underneath the batteries can become corroded and it is a good idea to paint it with Hammerite or similar in order to protect it.

 

    Bumpers

Volkswagen T4 Transporter Front Bumper

Volkswagen T4 Transporter Rear Bumper

Check the front and rear bumper for cracks and damage. As the rear fog light is incorporated into the rear bumper it is common for the lens to be cracked due to parking bumps. The lens is integral to the fog light assembly but the unit is not expensive and is easy to change.

 

 

Pop Top and Elevating Roofs

VW T4 Transporter Poptop Roof

There are many different types of roof and each type has its own idiosyncrasies and weaknesses so ask the seller to demonstrate how the roof is raised and make the following checks:

Check the structure of the roof ie if its made from fibreglass check it for cracks or damage. Check for leaks as this is where you will be sleeping and/or storing your camping gear and any moisture, damp smells or mould will make camping unpleasant.

Check any hinges for cracks and rust and that their surrounding areas both on the van and on the roof itself are solid. Check that any lifting mechanisms are working and that the area surrounding the mounting points are solid. Check that the roof canvas is not ripped or rotten. Check any air vents in the roof are working, that they are not cracked and that seals are not leaking. Check that all roof parts are present as certain parts can be difficult to get hold off. For more information on camper roofs and where to get spares for your roof or even get a new roof fitted CLICK HERE to visit my other site.

High Tops

VW T4  Transporter High Top Roof

Check for cracks in the fibreglass and look for filler repairs especially where the roof could have been driven into something. If the roof has windows check that they are not cracked and that the surrounding seals are watertight. If the roof has vents check that they operate correctly (normally by turning a handle). Check that the vent and seal is watertight and doesn’t have any cracks in the casing.

 

Mechanical

General

When arranging to view a bus ask the seller not to run the engine till you get there if at all possible. Ideally you want to see the engine start up from cold. With the engine cold switch on the ignition and you should see the oil pressure  light and engine temp warning light flash and the alternator charging light and hand brake light illuminate. After a few seconds the engine temp warning light should stop flashing and go out. If standard petrol the choke is automatic. If diesel there is a cold start lever like a choke that needs to pulled out to start the engine and then pushed back in once engine running. If diesel there is a glow plug light (coil symbol) which will illuminate for a few seconds and then when it goes out the engine is ready to start. With the van in neutral start the engine. The oil pressure light should stop flashing and go out and alternator light should also go out. The engine should run smoothly from cold so go for a drive and check that it continues to run smoothly and doesn’t stall. After taking the van for a test drive and performing the checks that are outlined below park up and after leaving the engine idling for a couple of minutes check underneath and in the engine bay for any oil leaks.  Any excessive oil leaks will require further investigation. Look under engine, gearbox and axles. The VW T4 Transporter normally has an engine protection tray under the engine so any engine oil leaks may not be immediately obvious by looking under the van.

Engine

VW  T4 Transporter Engine Bay

The Volkswagen T4 Transporter was the first VW bus to have the engine at the front driving the front wheels.

Firstly do a visual inspection by having a good look in the engine bay. On the VW T4 Transporter the bonnet release is inside the drivers cab on the side wall just below the glove box. Check for oil leaks and inspect that all fuel pipes are in good condition. Water level can be checked by looking at markers on the transparent round water top up tank above the engine. The oil level can be checked using the  dip stick as usual. When engine is cool open the water top up tank and look for oil in the water or a sludge deposit that looks like “mayonnaise” as this could be a sign that the cylinder head gasket or cylinder head have problems (allowing water to mix with the oil or vice versa). Also remove the oil filler cap and check the dip stick for the same type of sludge. Note that if the van has done lots of short journeys recently then there could be a small amount of the “mayonnaise” at the top of the oil filler neck due to condensation forming and mixing with the oil. This is ok as long as it is only a small amount and no “mayonnaise” is visible on dipstick or in the water tank. It is caused by condensation forming due the long length of the filler neck when the engine is not reaching full temperature.

 Listen for any knocks coming from the engine as these can be due to something serious such as worn big end bearings or worn crankshaft. Get someone to sit in the van and increase the revs of the engine and check that there is no black smoke coming from the exhaust. On a diesel you may get a puff of smoke on start up but not once running. Check the engine is running smoothly as if it is running unevenly it could be running  on only 3 cylinders. If you are not sure carefully pull a plug lead off at the spark plug end with the engine running and you should hear the engine note change and it will start running a bit rough. Replace that plug lead and pull of the next and so on. If you pull of a plug lead and the engine note doesn’t change then the engine is not firing on that cylinder. There could be a number of possible reasons for this but it will probably be an engine out job to fix.

The engines have hydraulic tappets that can make an alarming clattering noise if the van has been stood for a while. This is because the oil drains from the tappets if the engine hasn’t been started for a while. Generally once the van has run for a while the noise should stop as the tappet fills up with oil.

It is important to check that the van starts from cold and continues to run smoothly without cutting out. Listen to the engine and make sure it doesn’t hunt when idling (engine revs build up and then drop again).

On diesels it is important to check the engine starts from cold and that apart from that initial puff of smoke at start up it doesn’t continue to smoke once running.

Check the temperature gauge works and reaches around halfway once engine is warm. If the temp gauge reading is very low when engine is warm it is most likely a thermostat problem.

Obviously the more service history information the seller has the better and as with most vehicles if you don’t have any proof that the cam belt has been changed then it is a good investment to get it done. If the cam belt snaps it can cause bent valves and damaged pistons and cylinder head and will be very expensive to fix. It can be expensive to get the cam belt done so if it has already been done this is a major plus point.

Whilst thinking about the cam belt listen out for a whirring noise coming from the left hand side of the engine bay (when looking from the front) from the area of the belts and pulleys. Also look at the pulleys to check there is no wobbling. If there is a noise / wobble it could be something simple like the belt needs changing / tightening, the water pump or something more serious such as the auxiliary pulley that runs on the crankshaft. It is a metal /  composite pulley that can perish over time and break up or the key that holds the bottom pulley on the crankshaft can become damaged and cause the pulley to work loose . If it fails it will damage the engine in the same way as if the cam belt snapped.

Exhaust

Volkswagen T4 Transporter Exhaust

Check the condition of the exhaust. The bend under the drivers seat seems to rust first due to the rainwater being thrown up by the front tyre and the mid section halfway down the van is also prone to rust. Exhausts can be expensive for some engines.

Gears, Gearbox and Clutch

VW T4 Transporter camper gearboxes are as far as I know very reliable but things to check are that all gears can be selected and when on a test drive make sure that it doesn’t jump out of gear by speeding up quickly and then taking foot of accelerator in each gear.  Also on the test drive listen for any excessive noise or whining in each gear as differential bearings can become worn at higher mileages. Another test that will check the clutch and confirm that the van doesn’t jump out of gear is to put the handbrake on and with the engine running put van in first gear and slowly release the clutch. Assuming the handbrake works the van should stall. If you just hear the engine note getting higher then the clutch is slipping and will soon need repair and most likely replacement. If the van jumps out of gear it is quite likely that the gearbox will have to be repaired or replaced with a reconditioned one in the near future. Don’t forget to test reverse as well! VW T4 Transporters all had either a 5 speed manual box or occasionally an automatic box was specified. The VW T4 has a hydraulic clutch so take a look at the top of the clutch pedal and check that no hydraulic fluid is leaking from the mechanism.

Steering

Take the van for a test drive and on a straight road hold the steering wheel lightly and make sure the van does not pull to one side. Steering wheel should be straight when van is moving in a straight line. Check there is no play in the steering by turning the steering wheel and making sure van responds immediately. Also you can give steering wheel a wobble up and down and check there is no play. Listen for any noises or clunks when turning the wheel. Look under van and visually inspect all steering components and check for excessive play. Also check all tyres looking for even tread wear. If the tyres are worn on the inside or outside there could be a problem with the wheel alignment, tracking or something more serious so get it checked by an expert.

Initially power steering was an extra cost option so a few early vans dont always have it (years 1991 - 93). Eventually power steering was standard. If the van has power steering look for any leaks of power steering fluid from associated components.

Brakes

First of all do a visual inspection looking underneath behind each wheel. Look for any damp patches on drums or leaking brake fluid dripping onto floor. Inspect the brake pipes and check that they are routed properly with no corrosion, cracks or leaks. Look through holes in front wheels for score marks on the brake discs. Whilst on a test drive build up a reasonable speed and after checking that there is nothing behind apply the brakes firmly. The van should stop smoothly without any judder and should stop in a straight line without pulling to one side. Check the operation of the handbrake by parking on a steep hill and seeing if it will hold van (preferably when there is nothing behind!) or put the hand brake on and try and pull away and van should stall. Handbrake should take around 5 clicks until it is fully on.

Suspension

VW T4 Transporter Traling Arm

Find a car park and turn full lock one way do a couple of circles and then turn full lock the other way and repeat. Listen for any noises. Clunking noises from the front are most likely due to top or bottom ball joints. A double knock could be the front drop links or anti-roll bar bushes. Clunking from rear most likely related to trailing arm bushes which can be replaced. Look under van and  visually inspect all front and rear suspension components for wear and corrosion. The rear trailing arms can rust so inspect carefully. Check the tread on all tyres and look for uneven tyre wear. Check the van is level and doesn’t lean to one side.

Electrical

General

Check that the wiring has not been messed about with. If the wiring looks like it has been knitted by a previous owner (and it hasn’t been done properly) then it will probably cause annoying intermittent problems and make fault resolution difficult. The original wiring loom is made using standard colour codes so when there is a fault a wiring diagram can be used to trace the fault. If home made wiring is used the only person that knows which wire connects to what is the person that did it. If the van was converted to a camper by a professional conversion company then it will normally have been done to the correct standard and wiring diagrams may be available either in the conversion companies user manual for that model or by searching the various forums / owners club websites etc. If any after market accessories have been added check that they look like they have been wired in correctly and they have been fused in case of a fault.

    Lights, Wipers and Indicators

    VW T4 Transporter Headlights and Indicators

Check that the side lights, head lights and full beam are all working. Check that the headlight lenses do not have stone chips or cracks that will allow water ingress. Check indicators and wipers are working. If the van has a rear wipe it is switched on by pushing the wiper lever forwards and off by pressing the lever forwards again. If the van has intermittent wipe it is switched on by pressing the wiper lever down.

    Speedo, Clocks and Fuel and Temperature Gauge

    VW T4 Instrument Cluster

Check that the speedometer is working and that the needle movement is smooth and not jumping backwards and forwards. If the fuel gauge needle does not move at all or shoots up to full immediately it is most likely a wiring problem. If it moves but doesn’t show the correct level it is most likely a problem with the sender unit in the fuel tank. Check the temperature gauge works. The instrument cluster is prone to having problems that can cause intermittent faults such as fuel and temp gauge not working. This is usually due to soldered joints on the instrument panel circuit board drying out. There are various guides on the internet explaining how to access, remove and resolder the circuit board.

Buzzer Of Doom !

VW came up with a system to alert you if your oil pressure drops below expected levels called Dynamic Oil Pressure Warning System or DOP. It has become known as the Buzzer Of Doom (BOD) as it consists as the name implies of a loud buzzer in the cab that will come on in conjunction with the oil pressure warning light if there is a problem. Normally when you turn the ignition on the oil light comes on to indicate there is no oil pressure. You start the engine, oil pressure builds and when the predetermined pressure has been exceeded the warning light will extinguish. If whilst driving there is a loss of oil pressure then the buzzer will sound and the oil light will come on. At this point it would advisable to stop sharpish and check your oil level and if that’s ok then have the engine oil pressure checked as driving with no oil pressure will kill the engine. Sometimes there is no problem with the oil pressure and the fault lies with the actual BOD circuitry. Common causes are faulty sensors, broken wires / bad connections near the sensors / faulty circuit board or bad connection in the speedo binnacle (where the buzzer is located) or faulty earth connection near the speedo binnacle.

Horn

Check the horn works as if it doesn’t it’s an MOT failure.

    Leisure Batteries and Split Charge Circuits

    VW T4 Leisure Battery

If you are going to be using accessories such as fridges, lights, radios when you are camping it is a good idea to have a leisure battery. It is wired in such a way that all your accessories run from it. When the engine is running the leisure battery is being charged and then when you switch the engine off and use your accessories they do not run down your main battery so that your camper van still starts in the morning.

If the bus has a leisure battery it should be fused near the battery and then also have an auxiliary fuse box with a fuse for each accessory connected. Ask the seller to show you how it is connected and if you buy the bus get him to write down which accessories are connected to the leisure battery and via which fuse. If you don’t have this information it can be difficult to work out as you will have to follow wires that may run behind units and panels. It may also save you getting a flat main battery when camping as you may assume that an accessory works of the leisure battery and leave it on when camping only to find it runs of the main battery and the van wont start because it is now flat. For more information about leisure batteries CLICK HERE to visit my other site.

Vans converted to campers by professional companies quite often have leisure batteries and associated control units such as Zig CF8 fitted. As all companies implement these in slightly different ways it is a good idea to ask the owner to show you the various options and if they have the original handbook from the conversion company have a good read.

 

Bus Interior

Seats

Volkswagen T4 Front Seats

Check the drivers and passenger seats for rips and cigarette burns. Also check they can be adjusted (especially the drivers seat) so that you can drive in a comfortable position. If the seats are not the originals be careful to check the height as some people fit after-market seats that are higher than the originals. This is ok for some drivers but may make it awkward for the taller driver who will bang their knees on the steering wheel and their head on the roof ! Some camper conversions have front seats that swivel to face the rear. Check with the owner and if fitted check that the seat swivel action is working. If armrests are fitted check they adjust and sit at the correct angle.

Headlining And Interior Roof Panels

VW T4 Transporter Headlining

Can be difficult to replace and relatively expensive so have a quick look for rips or damage. If van has been owned by a smoker then it will most probably be stained and the stains are difficult to remove successfully.

Windows

VW T4 Transporter Windows

Check the windscreen for scratches, it is quite common if the wiper blades haven’t been renewed for the screen to have been scratched by the wiper arms. Also look for stone chips and cracks, if they are in the field of view then it is an MOT failure. If the van has sliding or louvre windows then check their operation and also that they fasten securely when closed. If the bus is a converted panel van then check for rust around the edges of the side windows. When the holes for the windows were cut out sometimes the metal edges were not treated. Water builds up behind the rubber seals and rust starts forming from the edge outwards. Lift the corners of the rubber seals to investigate properly.

    Standard Heating

Check that warm air comes out of the air vents once the engine is warm. Try the fan switch and check that it works on all speeds without any strange whining noises.

    After Market Heating

    VW T4  Transporter Camper Propex Heater

    VW T4  Transporter Camper Black Cat Heater

    Volkswagen T4 Transporter Camper Eberspacher Heater

If the van has an after market heater such as Propex, Truma, Eberspacher or Webasto fitted then ask the seller to demonstrate it working. If the van has been imported from Germany sometimes these heaters  are disconnected before the van is exported. For more information about after-market heaters CLICK HERE to visit my other site. If you buy the van and are in any doubt as to the safety of an after-market  heater get it checked out by a qualified expert.

Furniture

    VW T4 Transporter Camper Furniture

Check the camping interior furniture carefully. Open each cupboard door and check the hinges and handles are intact and work properly. It is common for handles to get broken and also for units to become damaged where the hinges fasten to them. If the units are made from chipboard then check it isn’t damaged especially on the rear faces where the edges touch the bodywork. It is here that it can get penetrated by damp and the chipboard expands and falls apart.

    Fridges

    VW T4 Transporter Camper Fridge

    Volkswagen T4 Camper Fridge

    VW T4 Fridge

Depending on the model it may have only a cool box or on better versions a fridge. Some models have fridges that will work from 12 volts, LPG/Gas and 240v mains electricity. Ask the seller to demonstrate the fridge working. Note that as fridges generally have a high electrical consumption on some campers (eg Westfalia) the fridge only works on 12 volt if the engine is running. If the fridge works from LPG/gas then check that there is a vent to the outside at the rear of the fridge as this is required to remove dangerous fumes from the van when the fridge is on. On most of the campers converted by British conversion companies an Electrolux RM212F or similar fridge was installed.

    Sinks and Cookers

    VW T4 Camper Cooker and Sink

Check that the cooker functions correctly ie: if it has two burners check they both light. Check that all pipes and shut off valves are in good condition. If cooker has a grill function check that it works ok. If you buy the van and are in any doubt as to the safety of the gas fittings get them checked out by a qualified expert.

If the sink has an electric tap or foot pump check that it works. If the van has fresh water tanks and/or grey water tanks find out where they are, how they are filled and emptied and check that all connections are good.

 

    Final Checks

Assuming you have made all the above checks and you are still interested in buying the van then use any problems you have found to try and negotiate a price you and the seller are happy with. If you agree a price, before handing over any money, do a few final checks by checking any documentation the seller may have.

      Chassis Numbers (VIN Number) And Documentation

Firstly check the registration document. Check the registration on the document matches the registration plate on the van. If the van is being sold by a private seller check that the name and address matches the address where you are viewing the van. Don’t arrange to view a van at a meeting point other than the address on the document as the van could be stolen and the document forged. If you are viewing the van at a show or similar arrange to pay the owner at his home address so that you can be sure that the van is not stolen. Check that the chassis number (VIN - Vehicle Identification Number) on the registration document match the ones on the van. You should see the chassis number on the scuttle plate below the windscreen, on a sticker on the side wall near the fusebox inside the van (you can see it when you remove front cover from fusebox) and on a plate inside the drivers side door shut. The chassis number should also be inside the front cover of the service book. Check the engine numbers on the registration document match the ones on the engine (they may not always match as reconditioned engines have often been fitted and the details not updated) but is certainly a plus point if they do match. Then check that the number of previous owners matches what you had been told originally. For me the less owners the better as I think that the longer an owner has the van the more likely he is to look after it and service it etc. (However I have also heard people say that you always look after a vehicle for the first 12 months and then the novelty wears off suggesting that if it has a new owner every 12 months that would be a good thing.) I guess you have to make your own decision about that one! If the van is being sold by a private seller check how long he has had the vehicle. If he has only had it for a month or two you should question why he is selling it as it may be that it has a serious problem and he is now trying to offload it.

Unless buying the van as a restoration project then I would try and insist the seller puts 12 Months MOT on the bus  before handing over the full payment. MOT’s are not a guarantee that there are no problems with the bus but they can certainly highlight any issues and it’s better to let the seller sort them out than for you to have to do it at your expense after purchase.

Also if buying from a dealer then ask if he provides a warranty. Make sure that if he agrees to provide a warranty that you get something in writing stating exactly what is and isn’t included. If a dealer has confidence in the vans he is selling I would expect him to provide at least some kind of warranty.

Service history, receipts and photographs all help to show a van’s history so the more information available the better.

MOT Information

If previous MOTs are available it a good sign that previous owners looked after the van (if they cared enough to keep documents relating to its history) and they can be used to verify the mileage is genuine and how many miles it did each year. It is now also possible to check a vehicles MOT history back to circa 2005 online HERE. This will show you if the vehicle failed any MOT’s or had any advisories in previous MOTs and what they were. In order to check you need to know the vehicle registration number.

Obviously when buying a vehicle it helps if you know what the requirements for the MOT test are. The actual MOT Testers Handbook is available online and is a useful source of reference.

You can also get some information about a vehicle from DVLA by doing an online vehicle check HERE.

SCAM Warning

Currently there are many convincing online SCAMS around trying to trick people that are looking to buy a camper van (and other vehicles) into paying money for a van that doesn’t exist. I could write a full book about all the different ways these scammers are operating but this is just a quick paragraph to say whatever the circumstances DO NOT send money to anyone via any method for a van that you haven’t seen in person at the owners house / motor dealers premises. Every day vans are being listed on sites such as Ebay / Gumtree / Preloved normally at prices that are below market value in an attempt to get you hooked. When you make contact you normally receive a text or email stating that the owner is out of the country, working on an oil rig, in the armed forces etc but if you send the money in advance they will have the van delivered to your door. They will have all kinds of stories about vehicle delivery companies and secure payment via bank transfer, escrow sites that supposedly are run by paypal / ebay etc but once you send the money you will never see it or the vehicle you supposedly bought again. These frauds are quite sophisticated now with fake company websites for car sales / vehicle delivery companies etc, fake paypal / ebay /escrow/ payment sites. The fraudsters know that you may check companies house so they may use valid company names etc but as I already said DO NOT send money to anyone that makes an excuse when you ask to come and see the vehicle in person as IT WILL be a SCAM.

    Conclusion

I hope that you find this guide useful. Don’t be put off by the fact that it points out all the problems  a Volkswagen T4 Transporter bus can have. Hopefully by following the guide you wont get any nasty suprises after buying your van and can enjoy all the pleasures that VW bus ownership entails. Please feel free to email me if you have any information to add to the guide that will help other potential VW bus owners. I am also preparing guides for VW Splitscreen, VW Bay Window and VW T25 / T3 / Vanagon so any useful information about these would also be appreciated.

Further Reading

If you are thinking of buying a Westfalia T4 / Eurovan camper then you will find the Westfalia model specific information on my other site useful as well. Click here to visit “The Westfalia T4 / Eurovan Useful Information Site”

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