VW Transporter

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Hi guys,

One for the VW transporter fans/owners, what do you class as high mileage for a VW Transporter T5/5.1?

Been looking for a while to get one now as it would be great for business, weekends away, dog and the mountain bike.

Seen quite a few around with 150-200k miles not too badly priced. Anything less than that seem to cost £20k+

:)
 
I noticed the same thing 2-3 years ago when I was looking for a transporter - huge scene tax. It was rare to find anything for sale under 100k miles and those that I did find were silly prices. Although, it does seem that they'll keep going forever so 200k miles isn't anywhere near end of life.

I bought a Transit Custom instead and have been very happy with it.
 
I noticed the same thing 2-3 years ago when I was looking for a transporter - huge scene tax. It was rare to find anything for sale under 100k miles and those that I did find were silly prices. Although, it does seem that they'll keep going forever so 200k miles isn't anywhere near end of life.

I bought a Transit Custom instead and have been very happy with it.

I watch a few mountain bike youtube guys and they laugh at transporters due to the cost. I do like VW and have a MK5 Golf GTI at the minute.

My idea was to get a VW transporter for my business, weekends away and the mountain bike from time to time. Was thinking setup an airbed in the back for small weekends away as well. Seriously can't afford to get one with a fitted kitchen/beds currently as they seem to be going for well over 25/30k lol
 
I was also a VW fan (which is why I wanted a Transporter) but I couldn't justify the cost. They were 10-20% more expensive than an equivalent Transit and really didn't seem to offer anything extra for the cost other than being a bit nicer to look at.

You might have some more options if you're buying for a business. I bought mine for personal use and it was difficult to filter by price because some have to have VAT paid and some already had it paid when new.

I've got a bed and kitchen cupboards in it now (cheap diy job) but we used it a few times with just an airbed on the floor. It's perfectly comfortable but a wee bit narrow between the wheel arches. The only problem is that when everything is flat on the floor there's not much space for stuff around you - much better now that we can pack stuff under the bed.
 
There are so many different options for this kind of thing. Due to the pandemic there was a massive explosion in people converting vans for weekends away or longer touring. If you haven't already take a look at vanlife videos on YouTube for different ideas.
 
We get transporters in work for the sole reason of after 3 years of abuse as work vans and many miles they still are worth a decent amount after the warranty ends.
They are quite nice but too expensive when compared to the competition.
 
Depends on how they've been used and kept - 100+K miles if most of it is motorway driving and it has been reasonably looked after is nothing for a van like that. Approaching 200K or more personally wouldn't touch unless you know what to look for and are either handy at repairs yourself or have a good relationship with a person or garage that do.

We swap them out with the lease company at work once they are past 200K miles as around that point they tend to do stuff like burning oil, 1st or 2nd gear needs some serious maintenance, etc.
 
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I have one, a 2014 t5.1 Kombi LWB T32 for £13k with 92k miles, the previous owner stacked that milage in 3 years and it was serviced and maintained well, bought from main dealer and they did 1.4k worth of service items and timing belt (and wheel bearings etc) before I bought it.

I bought it 5 years ago, its now on 144k and had zero issues with it.

Its serviced very much before its millage says it should be, its DSG so gets the DSG oil change every other year because I'm a paranoid person about it.

Just changed the front tyres, was on the same ones for over 45k miles!

I would buy my van now if I needed to buy a new one, and would pay the price I paid for it even at 144k, they are absolutely solid.
 
I have one, a 2014 t5.1 Kombi LWB T32 for £13k with 92k miles, the previous owner stacked that milage in 3 years and it was serviced and maintained well, bought from main dealer and they did 1.4k worth of service items and timing belt (and wheel bearings etc) before I bought it.

I bought it 5 years ago, its now on 144k and had zero issues with it.

Its serviced very much before its millage says it should be, its DSG so gets the DSG oil change every other year because I'm a paranoid person about it.

Just changed the front tyres, was on the same ones for over 45k miles!

I would buy my van now if I needed to buy a new one, and would pay the price I paid for it even at 144k, they are absolutely solid.

Good stuff, did notice the tyres are quite expensive on them. Some transporters are running 19"/20" wheels. £250 per tyre
 
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