My Van Search – Take: Four
Nr. 4.
My expectations diminish with every viewing, but I have to stay with it.
The candidate
A 2009 Sprinter “Mixto” from Nutzfahrzeuge West (in Duisburg-Meiderich) with a 4325mm wheelbase (and with a 7m total length), 150 HP, air conditioning, diesel heater, cruise control and trailer hitch is advertised on mobile.de.
New inspection!
New TUEV & AU (technical inspection and emissions certificate)
Regularly serviced
1st hand
as claimed in the ad.
The Sprinter has seen 250,000 km and is being offered for € 10,900 (gross).
In the meantime I have no more expectations.
And the dealers are no more truthful about their claims as is a politician at election time.
The journey
I call on Tuesday and arrange a viewing on Thursday afternoon. 37 km journey – the car is supposedly still there. There are no more details on the phone.
A manageable journey – Duisburg is practically neighborhood.
The first impression
I arrive around 11:00 am and enter the sales room in which the “better” goods are. There is also a fancy Crafter there – but beyond my wallet. The sales rep is still on the phone and so I wait in front of the glass office – Corona conform. A short conversation, I get keys and they open a large glass door to the street for me. There he is.
The Sprinter sits freely and easily accessible behind one, and next to two or three of his playmates.
- Here, too, surprisingly few dents and dents (some poorly executed “sales repairs”) – otherwise it’s okay.
- The 2 (1 busted) rotating beacons on the roof give an idea of it’s prior life.
- The brakes discs have deep scores and are due.
- The tires are o.k. but one – that’s actually older than the van itself.
In detail
Bild von Karolina Grabowska auf Pixabay
“Kaklunk.” Open Sesame. The side door reveals the “Mixto” concept. 2 single seats in front, behind them a 3-seater bench, behind it the wall to the cargo area.
- The interior is pretty shabby, cracked seats, stubborn belts – 12 years of construction life have left their mark.
- Loading area has irreparable rust in the joints of the ceiling area and the floor looks even worse.
- The wheel wells are surprisingly untouched.
- The windshield is decorated with various stone chips.
- The starter battery is extremely weak, it just barely starts the engine, which runs smoothly when idling.
- The usual “T” emits from the instrument cluster – the tachograph reports its malfunction.
- The wiper and washer work. Horn honks.
- The power window to my left refuses to work.
Short lighting check:
- Lighting except for a few side markers ok
Key test:
- Set complete.
I pop the hood.
- The engine compartment appears reasonably clean.
- More rust under the hood and on the window frame.
- A sticker serves as witness to an AC service – 3 years ago.
- Otherwise there is no indication of oil or timing belt changes or coolant concentration.
Testdrive
does not happen due to no available temp plates.
Conclusion
Bild von Gerd Altmann auf Pixabay
A somewhat bored dealer.
After a short conversation it becomes clear that – contrary to the wording of the ad – there are no maintenance receipts and only 4-year-old entries in the service booklet. A “new inspection” is available at additional cost, as is fresh TUEV and AU. A relatively big ticket looms – with brakes, power window repair, etc. Perhaps they also have a blind TUEV official.
“Regularly serviced” – hilarious.
I am offered to buy the vehicle for a whopping € 10,000. As seen. They will not spend another minute on it. A test drive would only be possible on the following Monday. Thanks but no thanks..
Not today.
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