Tips on buying a VW camper - Read this and avoid nightmares!

So you're thinking of buying one of those gorgeous split screen camper vans...Well before you take any decisions you need to read this now if you want to avoid problems later!

Original text by Adrian Chandler - summarised by Aidan O'Rourke. PDF version of Adrian's original fact sheet with detailed information is available for free download

Wouldn't you be better off buying a post-67 camper? It has many improvements including...
Larger and higher bay window
12 volt electrics
Improved suspension and handling
From 1972 the type 4 1700-2000cc engines provide more power
Expect to put up with the quirks and limitations of a 40+ year old vehicle including...
6 volt electrics
Weaker 1200-1500cc engines
Smaller and lower split windscreen

When buying any camper look out for...
Rust, particularly on the bottom 6 inches all around...
Rust on chassis box sections
On front and rear outriggers
On roof guttering, sills, wheel arches
On floors in front of the rear wheels
Behind front seats
Under cover plates which can hide a horror story of trapped moisture and rust

Be careful of campers with suspension lowered to make them look cool...
The ride can be harsh
Visibility is reduced
You can't crawl underneath to do repairs

Check the engine carefully...
Oil leaks near the gearbox flange usually mean an 'engine out' job
In gearboxes listen for bearing whines
Check all gears work and don't jump out of gear (a floppy gear change is normal)
Pull and push the bottom pulley wheel: if you feel a loud 'clunk clunk' the engine needs a rebuild. Very small movement is OK

Other things to look out for...
Inoperative heaters and controls - requiring new heat exchangers,
Smell of petrol inside the vehicle usually means rubber pipes need replacing
Tanks can also rust through where they come in contact with more rust
Steering should be direct with hardly any play. If not check the steering box Get repairs advice from...
Any experienced VW camper repair shop that's been there for more than 5 years
Inspect a car they've restored or get a customer reference

Get spare parts from...
eBay, www.justkampers.co.uk and www.vwhertitage.com
Alan Schofield for most body panels.
VW Motoring magazine for other leads

Prices you can expect to pay for a Split (pre-1967)...
Totally original and unrestored with MOT £9000 - £25,000
Restored with MOT £8000 - £20,000 (Watch out for hidden patched over horrors)
MOT'd but needing work £5000 - £8000
A 'basket case' £1500 - £2500

Prices you can expect to pay for a Bay (1967 onwards)...
Totally original and unrestored with MOT £5000 - £15,000
You can still buy new Bays built in Mexico, vans (c £10000), minibuses (c £13,000) or campers (c £30,000) - see VW Motoring or Volks World for prices
Restored with MOT £5000 - £15000 (Watch out for hidden patched over horrors)
MOT'd but needing work £2000 - £6000
A 'basket case' £1000 - £2000

Reasons why you shouldn't buy one...
Because it looks cool or restored but you haven't looked underneath and don't want to constantly maintain it
It has a six volt system when you want reliability, though conversion to 12 volts is easier than people realise see www.nls.net/mp/volks/
You think it will be fast and/or economical

Recommended websites...
www.nls.net/mp/volks - Speedy Jim's VW technical tips. Excellent and easy to understand, even if you're a beginner.

Download the PDF file with Adrian's detailed Notes on Buying a VW Camper, from which this summary was compiled. The author of this article, Adrian Chandler, offers a 'Find A VW Camper' service to those looking to avoid the risks of buying on the second-hand market. Click here to find out more.

Adrian Chandler is a self-employed graphic designer/digital photographer. He has over 27 years experience in buying/selling, restoring, tuning and driving air cooled VW's, mainly beetles and campers. Using his extensive hands-on mechanical expertise, he aims to upgrade the vehicles to suit today's road conditions whilst retaining as much originality as possible. He owns a 1968 1500 Beetle and a 1972 bay window Devon camper. You can contact Adrian by e-mailing vwinspections (at) gmail.com

NB Information on prices was updated March 2008 to reflect steadily increasing values for bays, splits and T25s.

2008-03-31