Buying ex rental cali

[PSmudger]

Hi Guys, what your thoughts on buying an ex rental California? I have been offered a 16 plate Ocean DSG with 33000 miles for 38k basic spec just bike rack and awning, just concerned how well the hab area will stand up to the bashing. I have been told that it will be supplied as new, with any issues resolved. Not got a problem on the van side with the mileage as looking to keep for a few years So mileage should balance out.

 

[Meoncoast]

I have been told that it will be supplied as new, with any issues resolved.

You will be able to see if it looks "as new" then you can check all works

• roof
• cooker
• fridge
• heater
• control panel

etc etc joint as a VIP member and download a checklist

 

[Andy]

Ex rental should be in good condition. They take a sizable deposited & check it over thoroughly on return. Any damage is usually chargeable to hirer & gets repaired properly.
If it all works & looks tidy & you're happy with it go for it.
Do use the forum check list as a reminder.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[Ocean Spirit]

My glass isn't exactly half empty but lets say slightly less full....at least unless you prove to yourself all is OK.
I considered an ex-hire myself.
What you might find is that some of the less hardy hab area bits have already taken a bashing rather than how they will stand up in future and perhaps thats what you meant?
My thoughts are that many people have hired for the first time and it's easy to do things like....
A) get the seats in the wrong position when attempting to swivel them marking the B pillar & door trims
B) stand on the captain chair arms to get into the pop top and over strain/break them
C) Break the kitchen cupboard door handles
D) Not take care of/support the awning properly when winding it in and out
E) Mishandle the blinds

All of the above can be done by anyone (including you if you bought new) so it's going to come down to confidence, knowledge and cost.
Likewise for the outside, every hire vehicle I have had gives you an allowance for small dents and scratches and most of them have had that when I first picked them up so its not uncommon.

It really is all about what can be fixed properly and how that is reflected in the cost.
Some will be worth buying for sure. Good Luck .

 

[Moakesy]

A quick check on similar age oceans in the For Sale section would suggest £38k is an absolute bargain price.

I’d get to see it quickly before someone else beats you to it. If it’s tidy enough then why hesitate?

Looking at the For Sale section, there are 2012’s listed for that money. Or 2016’s going for over £45k.

 

[larrylamb]

Surely stains, scratches, marks etc. will be visible, check it over with a fine tooth comb. Everything else covered under warranty on a 2016 van.

 

[reserves]

Hi Guys, what your thoughts on buying an ex rental California? I have been offered a 16 plate Ocean DSG with 33000 miles for 38k basic spec just bike rack and awning, just concerned how well the hab area will stand up to the bashing. I have been told that it will be supplied as new, with any issues resolved. Not got a problem on the van side with the mileage as looking to keep for a few years So mileage should balance out.

Go for it

 

[Victor]

It's the stuff you can't see that would worry me, most hire cars have the engine thrashed as the hirers don't give a toss

 

[Elmo3]

If it’s in good condition it sounds like a good buy.

 

[calikev]

It's the stuff you can't see that would worry me, most hire cars have the engine thrashed as the hirers don't give a toss

In my experience the thought of losing their £1000 deposit they tend to look after them sure the odd accident may happen normally due to not having things explained properly but the engines can’t really be thrashed these days

 

[Elmo3]

It's the stuff you can't see that would worry me, most hire cars have the engine thrashed as the hirers don't give a toss

Maybe with a Focus picked up from the airport but I think most people who hire a Cali don’t set out to abuse it. As long as it’s not from cold, giving these engines a ‘thrashing’ isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Borris]

No reason why it shouldn't be a good purchase providing you exercise the usual cautionary checks.

Obviously you need to look at the service history and I suggest you ring the dealer to ask what items have been replaced/repaired since new. Methodically check the vehicle over panel by panel, area by area, operating everything and whilst doing so be sure you make notes of any issues found. Pay particular attention to the roof canvas and interior trim which may have been damaged by the cavalier, the unsympathetic or just those who glazed over during the lengthy hand over session and forgot everything they were told.

Check the asking prices of as many similar vehicles, preferably those of a similar age, mileage and spec. After establishing what you feel is the average asking price for a similar vehicle, study your list of issues and try to work out how much you'll need to spend to put them right. Then taking the asking price, mileage and condition into account you should be able to determine A. If it's worth buying and B. What to offer for it.

Good luck

P.s Don't forget to use the forum check list as a guide.

 

[GrannyJen]

As others have said, check for obvious damage, check the main bits work, it's a DSG which should go some way towards protecting the engine from wild driving, if it all looks and sounds ok then snap it up quick.

 

[2into1]

Good advice above. The only thing I'm wondering is if the fact it was a hire vehicle shows on the log book or somewhere in its history? If so, even after several years of your ownership and careful attention to any early acquired faults, its value might still be impacted negatively.

 

[PSmudger]

Right guys just spoke to them and they are taking a May 17 plate of rental 23000 miles for £41500 decisions decision what’s your though guys

 

[PSmudger]

Good advice above. The only thing I'm wondering is if the fact it was a hire vehicle shows on the log book or somewhere in its history? If so, even after several years of your ownership and careful attention to any early acquired faults, its value might still be impacted negatively.

Hi Nee, don’t see that as a problem, as most nearly new cars have been ex business, rental cars or dealer courtesy cars. May impact the price but still going to loss Less than I have in 2 years on my new X5

 

[Moakesy]

Right guys just spoke to them and they are taking a May 17 plate of rental 23000 miles for £41500 decisions decision what’s your though guys

Similar Spec?

 

[PSmudger]

Similar Spec?

Yes same spec

 

[Moakesy]

So you pay a £3.5k premium for a year younger vehicle. It also means a year less rentals, 10k less miles and any changes that may have happened between the build years. Paying £3.5k for an extra years warranty is not cheap on the face of it, but it may help for peace of mind.

If I were you, I'd go and have a look at both and select the one I preferred after doing a comprehensive check. My natural tendency is to go for the newer vehicle, but on seeing it you may find more significant dents / bumps that put you off.

 

[Bepto]

Could you possibly PM me the details of the seller please? I might be interested in the one you don't want.

Thanks.

 

[PSmudger]

Could you possibly PM me the details of the seller please? I might be interested in the one you don't want.

Thanks.

Hi Bepto, don’t know how to Pm you from this site. You could alway email me

 

[Wongo]

Did the seller declare it as ex rental?

 

[2into1]

Assuming these aren't 'plus vat'? (as the seller would almost certainly have been vat registered). They do seem like very keen prices..... Unnecessarily keen given the webuyanycar thread.

 

[AlanC]

We bought an ex rental van that was three years old and has covered 65k miles when we got it. I thought we would slow the mileage right down and have done so but only to about 8K-10k a year since. Like the van too much...

There were lots of silly minor things wrong although the services were up to spec and the van was clean.
One service was done by an independent VW specialist which did become an issue later though.

The minor stuff was things like a hob cover hinge broken, various screws missing, Tabor doors damaged, the rubber covers on the bed board supports missing (rattled), the cover on the boot 12v socket ripped off, the rear battery panel damaged. The water filler trim panel was damaged too and the water filler had been labeled as 'water' in black lettering. Apparently putting diesel in the water tank is quite common on hire Calis.

The tow bar had been retro fitted and the wiring was not integrated into the CanBus system but tacked directly into the rear lights, Consequently the reversing sensors didn't know it was there and went off when ever you selected reverse. A real pita. That was the most difficult thing to fix.

I was happy to sort these issues and the price was good.

The only thing I wasn't told was the the DSG had been replaced at 45k. That I discovered by quizzing a friendly VW service manager. I wasn't allowed a service printout, apparently that is data protected, but he did tell me all verbally what had been done.

Alan

 

[WelshGas]

It's the stuff you can't see that would worry me, most hire cars have the engine thrashed as the hirers don't give a toss

And most vans do as well, and the California is based on a ???

I would prefer a vehicle that has done some miles, in this case 23,000 in just over a year than any that has done 3000 in the same time frame storing up problems for the next owner.