Buying Mercedes Sprinter Salvage Auction watching them sell - Van Life UK
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- Опубликовано: 23 авг 2024
- Buying Mercedes Sprinter at Salvage Auctions watching them sell let's see how much they go for Is it really worth the risk?
My aim is to give you campervan conversion ideas on how to convert a van into a camper and to help inspire you to build your own tiny home on wheels
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Thank you Mel. Another vital lesson for people considering converting their own campervan.
You’re welcome thanks for the positive feedback 🤙🤓
I was always curious about those salvage auctions but never wanted to risk my money on them. Thank you so much for bringing us along. That was very educational. 🙂
You’re welcome I’m pleased you that you think so makes it all worthwhile 🤙🤓
Buying salvaged vehicles is very risky and more so bidding online!!! I don’t trust the “bidders”. They could be people who work in the business/location. For example i was curious what this location near me sold/auctioned. I had this terrible feeling that people who were there(it was pretty crowded) bidding worked there. They bid on items just to keep people bidding higher. Thank God you had the opportunity to see these vans in person.
I think you could have a point 🤙🤓
Congrats on starting your channel! Great video and a BIG LIKE from me! Blessings to you! :)
That was a very sound video with some damn good advise there Mel, I like the way you’re going about this 👍🏻
Thank you I really do appreciate the positive message 🤙🤓🍻
Mel’s Van World you’re welcome. I work in the motor trade and people still miss the basics so it’s good to see someone still teaching the fundamentals of vehicle purchases from any means, top work fella 👍🏻🤙
Thank you 😊🍻
Just wondering Mel if you're going to be offering any Artexing advice in a future video? I may just give that a miss mate.😉
No worries there Guy that’s never going to happen lol 🤙🤓
@@BigVanSmallWorld Check out the background in the last couple of mins of the vid..😂😂😂
First hand experience of the dodgy dealing of copart, Keep looking Mel you will find a decent van
Thank you 🤙🤓
I lived in Cyprus for several years and Grimaldi Lines out of Southampton run a Ro-Ro Service. Takes around 10 days port to port(Limassol in Cyprus).
That’s really interesting Michael thank you do you know anything about import Tax etc or where I could find out if I would be able to take my camper there for a while ? I love Cyprus I’m going in September 🍻🤓
Mel, I imported about 8 cars from the UK for myself and other people whilst I lived there for almost 10 years and still have a house there (do you want to buy a house!?).
Besides paying shipping fees, if you import a vehicle there are a lot of charges despite the fact that they are in the EU (the fine is far less than the fees they charge!).
If you are touring then consider driving through Europe to Mersin in Turkey and catch a ferry with your van there to Kyrenia (Girne) in Northern Cyprus and tour the island that way...and don’t forget to visit the panhandle!
Micheal thanks for that info do they take van ferries as in passengers.
Thanks Micheal as well for info ... please could someone do a vid on ferries from UK, over to Canary Islands in winter or Europe , Morroco its very hard on line to find 🙄unless it’s me , useless on computer( no it’s the “ people who design these web pages... very not simple!!! As in price!!!
@@marilynwisbey9446 You can take a ferry from Portsmouth to Bilboa 36hrs on board so invest in a cabin. (Word of Warning: the bay of biscay gets pretty choppy in winter, so hope you have good sea legs) then it's a gentle drive down through Spain to the port of Cadiz. There you can get ferry over to Tangier, Morocco. (Great place to visit)
Or you could just eurotunnel it across to Calais and enjoy the French coastline down to Spain instead of taking the ferry from Portsmouth.
Very cheap but what load of work, thanks for the update very interesting
You’re welcome 🤙🤓
Once again Mel, great watching and brilliant advice. looks cheap to buy, but i would well stay clear of these auctions.
Thank you 🤙🤓
If your down my way at the auction on Thursday or Friday I'll shout you a coffee at spoons in ramsgate.
Hi Chris thank you I will let you know 🤙🤓
Cheers for showing us this mate. Hope you find a good deal soon 👍👍👍
Thank you I’m in no rush I know what I want and I’m sticking with it 🤙🤓
It's a very risky🌿 but oh you can make out on a really good deal👏😊🌿🐝
My next van I’m keeping for ever that’s why I’m going to be really careful I want to actually use it for at lest the next 5 years or so 🤙🤓
At the start of your vid I thought you were inside your new van, I though wow listen to the echo it must be massive 😂👍🏻
Good info
Thank you glad you think so 🤙🤓
Mel. Bonus time. That was certainly a eye opener. Thanks mate. Have you tried Brightwells auctions yet.?
I’m pleased you think so I’m a little frustrated that I didn’t get it 🤙🤓
Toe bar for a Tiny House project?! Please please! :)
Great idea if you have the skills, time and tools to put into fixing those vans and then fitting them out as campervans, you could end up with a cracking van for £5k
Yes it’s a shame I’m missing them 3 skills lol 😂🤙🤓
Great video as always
Why not contact the lease companies direct before they put their ex lease in to auction
Eg ex Franchisee vans etc
Or approach companies direct that you may think are going to be changing their vans at least that way you'll see the van driving around your area and see how it's being driven before you make an offer on it etc
All good if you got the time I’m just finishing my working day now 11 pm life on the road mate it’s not as easy as some people think 🤙🤓
@@BigVanSmallWorld
Are you a trucker?
How do they ship a van to Cyprus? By Ship of course!! I live in New Zealand and we have several car ships a week into the various ports around the country, some bring new cars from Europe or Japan, plus there are huge numbers of second hand cars come out of Japan too via BeForward online sales . We considered having a caravan shipped over from the UK as they are very cheap there and seriously expensive for even something old and ratty here, but ended up deciding to build our own in an ex-ambulance Sprinter.
I have have any doubt they use a ship lol what I mean was that the import duty is a killer looked into shipping a camper to australia but they wanted 100% import tax so no point and yes you’re rite the price difference is amazing I think you could make a good living out of shipping the rite vans / caravans 🤙🤓
@@BigVanSmallWorld If you ship to NZ there is duty/import tax, but its less if you have owned the vehicle for more than 6 months - even the top rate isn't anywhere near 100% though. I know of a few couples who went to the UK, bought a campervan, toured around for a month or more, then left it with a storage place for a few months before shipping it over. Quite popular to do this with the European style vans. If you are emigrating then its different again, my brother shipped his Lotus over, as he'd had it over 5 years there was no duty to pay :-)
That’s brilliant I really good way round it and you get to see a little Europe too if you worked it right you could still end up in profit 👍 well done to your bro 🤙🤓
Lucky escape there Mel. Good job you didn't listen to me. :-)
No worries Donald 😂😂🤙🤓
Great Video there’s no such thing as a free lunch in reality none of those were cheap remember with a cat on it the true value plummet and it’s resale suffers too. Good luck in your search 👍👍👍
Thank you Peter 🤙🤓
Hi Mel, Interesting to see what sort of prices they went for. I'm sure you could pick up a bargain on eBay gumtree. Good luck. ATB Glen
Thanks Glen you could be rite and it will be a lot less hassle 🤙🤓
Nice one Mel.
Thank you 🤙🤓
Hi Mel. Why is it you prefer Sprinter over Crafter ? It's the same body with different "face" and equally good running gear. The 3 pointed star has snob appeal for sure but there are so many VW enthusiasts who are willing to pay over the odds for that perceived surfer cool of the VW. I reckon either done properly will give good service and fetch a good profit once converted. Just curious on your reasons or anyone elses for chasing the Mercs. John
It’s the engine sprinter has the better engine no timing belt to worry about 🤙🤓
@@BigVanSmallWorld Cheers Mel. Re; engines......I'd say brand new you can make decent comparisons. After that as long as the timing belted vans get them changed at correct intervals it becomes more about the individual van rather than the brand or engine type. I mean a van with a new timing belt and a good low miles engine /straight chassis & body is better than a highly abused van that doesn't have any timing belt? So knowing the vans history is important ? One persons opinion obviously. From another angle. ...as you put so much into your conversion and as people clearly see your work as something they would like to buy, doesn't it make more sense to choose a straight (if more costly) base vehicle to convert rather than going for battered stock ? Sure you would need to pass on the extra cost to the customer but all the work you have put into your videos has given you a good reputation to build on. Not sure write-offs are the best choice for someone's future pride and joy mate. Again just my take on it but I'd like to see you do well building vans for people. 😎
Thank you John the next van I build for myself is for keeps I have no intention of selling it until I have had some really good use out of it.
Thank you for your advice I think you’re absolutely right I should work harder save more and get a decent van to start with what’s the point of putting all that hard work into an old banger? Thank you John really appreciate your feedback and encouragement and words of wisdom 🤙🤓
@@BigVanSmallWorld Hi Mel. Thanks for taking the time to reply. Dunno about wisdom mate but in my experience it's usually a good idea to get a few different perspectives. That's all I can offer you ...just a different (at times slightly odd) perspective. Lol Happy travels. John
The 3rd van does say "undercarriage" in the secondary damage section of its description.
I bought a 2017 Mercedes Benz sprinter van 3.0 170 high roof on copart usa With 300k on odometer, runs very good it had 2 previous owners, first owner had it for many years was highways usage one of his driver put a dent in lower panel by rear wheel easy to pull panel out to reshape , second owner driver hit a deer on driver side no air bag deployed, i went looked at van in person started van smoked a little because def was empty, i bid and won 4300 us with fees 5,455.00 us, for me i was looking for abuse on the body body 90% good for use van that hit a deer, i had to replaced grill, radiator, fan clutch, ac condenser, both belts , power steering pump due to pulley broke off, front plastic bumper broke section off, but im replacing cheap plastic bumper for aluminum bumper much stronger, cost of 2500. Driver fender replace but first i had to pull out and straightened innter fender support bracket, easy to pull & fix , parts all in less 1500 us dollars but the aluminum bumper will cost 2500 us still much much cheaper than clean title no damage same year and model from 15k to 25k depending on mileage and conditions i plan to build a overlanding camper van if you be patience & find one you can go look & inspect van & purchase and pick the van up yourself you will save thousands and hundreds on shipping good luck on your van purchase
Interesting vid 🤟I've got a 03 lwb 311cdi with 143k on that was converted by a company but needs redoing! But I can't decide if it would be better to spend the money on a newer base van to convert or do the one i have 🤔 dilemmas!ATB Shane
You’re better off with the devil you know 🤙🤓
Reminded me of the Eurovision song contest, perhaps you could go for Graham Norton's job Mel! ;-D
Hahha I’d smash it 😂😂🤙🤓
Try Salvage Rebuilds UK on Utube he goes through auctions in his videos..
Yep 👍 I have seen some of there videos cheers 🍻
Thanks Mel, I owe you a drink or a coffee!
You’re welcome but why ? 🤙🤓
Always test drive a van
Like you would a good lady or man lol .
If it rides well
And a good price
It's worth every penny 😛😉😛
Haha sound advice thanks 😂🤙🤓
what auction site is that mate id like to have a look at that thanks stu
#1😊
Well done Kat 👍🏻🤜🤛
@UCjUnu4OLKUhBv5Uj29kDlSw Thank you & Good Evening 😊
@@katcankan7129
Good evening Kat. I see that your on the ball this evening 😂
@@rewfisher1 lndeed 🤣
Kats back 👍👍👍🤓
👍👍👍👍👍👍
H mel avoid high milage vans they don't retail very well when camperd out, also many vans from the auctions are in need of lots work sometimes not worth the trouble , buyer beware is the motto they are there for a reason.I no this because i work on light commercial vans every day . hope this helps and good look
Thank you dude for the advice really appreciated 🤙🤓
What about something old but with low miles 🤙🤓
@@BigVanSmallWorld ye but watch for the rot on the older ones buy private and do a dvla mot history check , its free and all you need is the reg it could give you a ruff idea what maintenance it has had ,trade lads tend to just turn the key and off . bakery vans are generally a good bet clean and usually low milage . regards Andy
This is appears to be a straight honest van but its up on the miles but for 5k it tops those at the wreckers and not in a damage class eBay item number:113811598456
I did see your previous video about going round these vans and now this video. I have to say these are all scraping well below the bottom of the barrel, really high mileage, really smashed about, they're all just wrecks and should not be put back on our roads, they're way too far gone, they've had it, just scrap now. You see wrecked vans like these in places in Africa, still being driven. But are'nt we better than this kind of standard, would you not think it's far better to pay more and get a nice van? Why bother with these scrappers? I just don't get how buying any of these is a good idea, why do you think it is? Alan, in Norfolk.
I totally agree with you couldn’t have put it better myself 🤙🤓
👍🏼
I don't know how anyone could buy anything "sight unseen" especially these days...! Good Luck...!
It’s just to risky I don’t think I’ll be going back there unless there’s something there that’s really worth taking the risk for 🤙🤓
When your considering a van are you also thinking about the cost of repairs?
Of course 🤙🤓
Like you said risky business, best of luck 😊
Hi🌿🐈🌻🌾
@@lisagempup1398 Hello. I hope that you are having a blessed day 😊
Hay Kat where you been 🤙🤓
@@BigVanSmallWorld On the prowl 😹
It's not cheap Mel, get one that runs and drive it out.
Get an ambulance and convert that but not the tin cans get the one with a fibreglass rear like Mercedes or LT46
Good advice thank you 🤙🤓
Mel’s Van World Mel , if your going Ambulance route let me know I'll help you out, you see the width is almost 7 foot wide and 11 foot long up to the bulkhead where I cut the Nania door out to the cab.
I can't fault them and I ripped mine clean out even the ambulance ceiling is removed reinforced and now insulated and finished with a pine ceiling and a full length bed width wise, mine now with my magic looks 95% like a factory camper, no rear doors and one complete panel with a opening window above the bed...
My name is Diana I what buying Van fron them.
Hi every thing you need to know is on there website 👍
Didn’t realise your down near me mate I’m 5 minutes away from there could have saved you a trip !
Thanks 🤙🤓
my mrs back door has been bashed in a bit
Lol 🤙🤓
Definitely breakers yards buying them.
A good engine is worth £2200 without ancillaries
What is the auction site???
Copart
Mel do you think all these vans are being bought by traders to break for spares?
I don’t know I think they should all be crushed 🤙🤓
why dont you look at the vw crafter they are big theres a 2010 on facebook 12 mths mot £ 2090
Because I want a sprinter 😂🤙🤓
"only a flesh wound" lol
2nd
Hello Rew 🤙🤓
@@BigVanSmallWorld
Hello Mel. Hope your well my friend.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Is there v.a.t .on the final price.?
Not on all of them that was the attraction for me 🤙🤓
Have to be careful buying from these salvage yards heard story's where light damage is done to hide major damage
You could be rite 😂👍🤓
Which auction site is this please?
Copart I don’t recommend anyone going there though unless you’re a really good mechanic 🤙🤓
@@BigVanSmallWorld thanks ,I am, bought salvage many times ,usually local though l,thanks👍
Also I am in the process of converting my vivaro and have picked up some useful tips from your videos
Is it plus vat and fees
Most of the vans are not VAT that’s why they looked so tempting the fees are plus vat 🤙🤓
Hi Mel. Please never buy a sprinter LWB 4x4. I've been to hell and back with mine.
And it's still totally crap.
It's costs me a fortune and still not fixed. Computer problems.
And Mercedes uk has said
It is not fixable in the uk
And told me to take it to Germany at my expense
These are £70,000 to buy new.
Bloody madness
Never again would I buy a 4x4 van again
Best wishes to all
Oh mate that’s not good I wish you better luck soon 🤙🤓
Great video, glad you double checked. Better safe than sorry. Have you thought about looking at a BOX-Truck ? Like this (australia - comes with AC) www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/Mercedes-Benz-Sprinter-2013/OAG-AD-17240272/?Cr=4
G Day mate that’s an awesome van wouldn’t have no worries about the heat in the back of that lol superb air con 😂😂🤙🤓
Want you convert a van for me Nissan Elgrand
No worries mate 🤙🤓
Mel save your money buy private.i think ha ha 👍🇬🇧🍺
Thank you are rite 🤙🤓
You can still buy a nearly salvage donkey private! 🙄🤣👍
Id just avoid all together.
You are definitely right 🤙🤓
5th 🤨
Good effort 😂😂🤙🤓
Insurance on a accident repaired vehicle is astronomical! Try get some quotes first put me right off getting one
I’ll definitely have a look into that part of it thanks 🤙🤓
80% of people will not buy a motor that's on the hit list, so no real savings unless its a keeper.
Oh I’m keeping it for a very long time 🤙🤓
Wheres the voice for 'This is a pile of S**te'
😉
Inspect twice buy the right one once
Think copart is a money making scrap yard
I think you could be rite 🤙🤓
what auction site is that mate id like to have a look at that thanks stu
Hi it’s Copart be careful if you’re thinking of buying from them it’s high risk