What to look for when buying?

[aneng]

Hi.  I'm planning on buying my wife a Berlingo, probably around a '54 plate or thereabouts.  Are there any common faults on these or particular areas I should check please?

Ta!

[3rensho]

Hello and welcome. Certainly a complete service history. I would have it looked over thoroughly by my auto club's garage or a competent friend.

[my mucker]

welcome aneng, you could also have it checked by RAC or AA for a nominal fee ,

[aneng]

welcome aneng, you could also have it checked by  RAC or AA for a nominal fee ,

Oh, I'm pretty good with cars - I've done all sorts from engine rebuilds, swaps, welding, suspension, electrics etc.  I'm more than happy to check it out myself - I just wanted a heads-up on the trouble spots on this van so I can keep an eye out.

[Jed Clampit]

Hello aneng welcome to the forum rear axle check one or both wheel's are not leaning in at the top could need a recon axle if it's a 1.9 d cold stating problem no gap on the valve's will need some new shim's to get the right gap air bag light for the seat the connection's will need cleaning under the seat / seat's .

[Johny555]

Electrics,!!

[polar]

as what Jed says + everything else a vehicle of that age may be suffering from, no different from anything else really.

[my mucker]

Sorry Anang, didnt realize you were a competent mechanic,when you asked what to look for !!! thought you was a numty like me lol

[aneng]

Sorry Anang, didnt realize you were a competent mechanic,when you asked what to look for !!! thought you was a numty like me  lol

No need to apologise !  I didn't make it clear at the start and you were being helpful - for which I'm grateful :-)

[bikergraham]

Hi.  I'm planning on buying my wife a Berlingo, probably around a '54 plate or thereabouts.  Are there any common faults on these or particular areas I should check please?

Ta!

Hi Aneng, ive had my 1.9 diesel for some 7 years now and have had practically no problems with it.I service it myself every 6 months but i have to say its been the most reliable car ive ever owned bar none,it is however a very basic boring car,its very slow but always does the job.The thing you have to be careful with when you do a oil change is to make sure the oil isnt overfilled,i did this once and it turns out that the car will smoke very badly and loose power above 3.5k revs.This is apparently common to this model.Other than the obvious this is a great vehicle and i have no intension of changing it any time soon.Ive fitted a good roof rack and regularly carry plasterboards and such like,a real workhorse and you get a lot for your money if your looking for a practical cheap to run reliable car.