S661 AFF - My first Bongo

[NJT]

Hi all,

My wife and I are hoping to buy our first Bongo so we can have weekends away with our kids and dog.

We have been offered S661 AFF which is currently undergoing some work following an MOT failure, and I was wondering whether the previous owner might be on here and can give us some more information?

We've just had an awful, stressful and horrendously expensive experience with a Ford S Max and while I'm aware Bongo's aren't necessarily going to be the cheapest option long term, it ticks so many boxes and has a great, helpful community behind it! We're still erring on the side of caution, hence me wanting a background check before we do anything!

The van is about 3 hours away and we've been sent a few photos and videos. While it looks tidy, it's obviously difficult to make a decision, and if we're going to view it it is going to be with the intention to buy!

Any further help/advice would be great, thanks.

[NJT]

This is the most recent MOT:

Failures:
• Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d)) - MAJOR
• Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced valance (6.1.1 (c) (i)) - MAJOR
• Offside Front Upper Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i)) - MAJOR
• Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a)) - MAJOR
• Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn both (5.3.4 (a) (i)) - MAJOR
• Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced outrigger (6.1.1 (c) (i)) - MAJOR
• Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced outrigger (6.1.1 (c) (i)) - MAJOR
• Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced chassis both sides behind springs (6.1.1 (c) (i)) - MAJOR

Advisories:
• Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
• Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
• Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
• Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
• Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
• Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
• Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))
• Nearside Front Upper Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))
• Front Upper Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced chassis (6.1.1 (c) (i))
• Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
• Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened both (5.3.3 (b) (i))
• Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

As mentioned, it is currently with a specialist so all of this should be dealt with prior to purchase but the corrosion is a little concerning!

[Bob]

That’s a lot of rust related problems.

Personally I wouldn’t consider a six hour round trip until it has a new MoT, not even any advisories, and you need to be prepared to walk away if everything isn’t right.

Ideally an MoT from somewhere other than the garage who are doing the work.

[NJT]

That’s a lot of rust related problems.

Personally I wouldn’t consider a six hour round trip until it has a new MoT, not even any advisories, and you need to be prepared to walk away if everything isn’t right.

Ideally an MoT from somewhere other than the garage who are doing the work.

Thanks Bob, it's going for a new MOT once the work has been done. The MOT is done independently and I've been told are on the stricter end of the scale! The workshop doing the welding has a very good reputation in the Bongo community.

Assuming the corrosion/rust issues above are all dealt with, is it just the arches I need to worry about?

I'm seriously considering getting a pre vehicle check as my wife has her heart set on this Bongo!

[Bongolian]

There will be others.. as discussed, looking is one thing, the ability and willingness to walk away always a good thing when looking at any purchase.
Especially so with a potential money-pit like a rusty Bongo.
Mine was bought in the knowledge I could strip and get much of my cash back in the worse case scenario.
Luckily.. so far.. it’s been great.
Hope you find your Bongo soon, but be aware, they soon become part of the family..

[Bob]

Trouble is we can't answer 'is it just the arches'?

They will need to be cut out and only then is more revealed. Maybe not too bad, may be very expensive.

Likely even a body shop can't quote until they see the true state of play.

[g8dhe]

No rust doesn't stay in the arches, you will see lots of rust around suspension points, front and rear cross members and cills.
Most of the time it depends on when it was first waxoiled or undersealed, if on import that's a good sign provided its also been updated every few years. If its not got any history regarding rust prevention work carried out its best to assume the worst, and that it was done after salt and moisture was sprayed on all the joints and seams, then enclosed so you can't see it until a couple of years later you see blistering appearing under the paintwork which means its rusted from the inside out and you can expect a LOT of work!

[Doone]

Sounds like a lot of rust? Spring is here, lots of people are looking to buy, so lots are selling via here and the various Bongo groups on Facebook.