Should I repair or not?

HowieDog · Jul 18, 2022

I’m prepping our van for sale (will be listed in here) as our new Hymer has arrived.

There are two items that haven’t bothered us but may bother a new owner.

The rear roller blind is stuck rolled out and won’t retract. Replacement fitted is £350. We have never really had it down as there is always stuff in the back.

The pop up roof has over the years collected some holes both sides where it has been trapped in the scissor arms. One side has a tear about 3cm and the plastic stiffener is damaged.

It goes up and down ok and we have an isotop so don’t even notice from inside and it’s never let in any moisture.

We can replace it at the same time as the blind. If we do both it’s almost £2k but that included the panoramic roof bellows as an upgrade.

Is it worth doing both of these before we sell it do you think, or would a prospective buyer knock off the cost or live with the way it is??

It’s provisionally booked in for the join on Friday week.

Would welcome some wise counsel!!

WelshGas · Jul 18, 2022

HowieDog said:
I’m prepping our van for sale (will be listed in here) as our new Hymer has arrived.

There are two items that haven’t bothered us but may bother a new owner.

The rear roller blind is stuck rolled out and won’t retract. Replacement fitted is £350. We have never really had it down as there is always stuff in the back.

The pop up roof has over the years collected some holes both sides where it has been trapped in the scissor arms. One side has a tear about 3cm and the plastic stiffener is damaged.

It goes up and down ok and we have an isotop so don’t even notice from inside and it’s never let in any moisture.

We can replace it at the same time as the blind. If we do both it’s almost £2k but that included the panoramic roof bellows as an upgrade.

Is it worth doing both of these before we sell it do you think, or would a prospective buyer knock off the cost or live with the way it is??

It’s provisionally booked in for the join on Friday week.

Would welcome some wise counsel!!

You could advertise it with 2 prices. One with one without the repairs and allow the prospective buyer choose.
Some might be prepared to buy at a lower price and carry out a DIY replacement.

Azteccamper · Jul 18, 2022

HowieDog said:
I’m prepping our van for sale (will be listed in here) as our new Hymer has arrived.

There are two items that haven’t bothered us but may bother a new owner.

The rear roller blind is stuck rolled out and won’t retract. Replacement fitted is £350. We have never really had it down as there is always stuff in the back.

The pop up roof has over the years collected some holes both sides where it has been trapped in the scissor arms. One side has a tear about 3cm and the plastic stiffener is damaged.

It goes up and down ok and we have an isotop so don’t even notice from inside and it’s never let in any moisture.

We can replace it at the same time as the blind. If we do both it’s almost £2k but that included the panoramic roof bellows as an upgrade.

Is it worth doing both of these before we sell it do you think, or would a prospective buyer knock off the cost or live with the way it is??

It’s provisionally booked in for the join on Friday week.

Would welcome some wise counsel!!

Personally I would want the blind in working order. And if there a number of rips on the outside (which is what people will always see) you need to think by how much you will reduce the price or haggle downwards so your selling price needs to be carefully planned. Will the £2k you spend increase the value by £2k?

Ch1pbutty · Jul 18, 2022

Depending on the price, the Buyer might want the roof repair cost knocked off ; Also depends on what other vans are available + distance that they need to travel to see them. They might also then want to check rest of the van more thoroughly looking for things which might not be as obvious. Ie - has the cambelt, waterpump, etc done in line with the service schedule.

If you get the roof canvas replaced, small risk of the repair not being done properly. So think I would be more tempted to leave it as and offer a discount - have a written quote ready to show them.

Peak selling season is here, schools break up this week... so you are in a good position.

jonr71 · Jul 18, 2022

Anything with work that needs doing will put off some buyers. It's not just the price of getting it done, but the hassle. I'd say that some would be ok with the blind, but I certainly wouldn't entertain a van which needed new bellows. That's just me though, others might only have occasional use for the pop roof and be ok waiting for a bit of a discount.

Perfectos · Jul 18, 2022

I doubt you would get the 2K uplift on the sale price ?

presumably you’re going with a price to sell it rather than a sky high price?

if you are upfront with the advert, prospective buyers will see its genuine and know in advance.

you can give them a copy of the quote from VW to carry out the works & state the purchase price reflects the condition and work that needs to be done.

I personally would rather have the van as is, (reflected in the selling price) and carry out the works after purchase if I wanted to get it done, (probably do it myself)
or as WG suggests, agree to carry out the works at cost once a deposit has been paid. (reflected in a higher sales price)

im sure you will get differing opinions, I’m of the opinion that the vehicle should be as original as possible, new bits and repairs can ring alarm bells for some.

Perfectos · Jul 18, 2022

HowieDog said:
our new Hymer has arrived

Photos ?

HowieDog · Jul 18, 2022

Perfectos said:
Photos ?

Collection on 29th.

soulstyledevon · Jul 18, 2022

Get stuff repaired and get the van properly valeted.
I wouldn’t buy anything with defects as it seems sloppy and not very well cared for.
Bite the bullet get stuff in order and then advertise at top money…

The Saint Essex · Jul 18, 2022

I think it all comes down to how quickly you want to sell.

Without the repairs I'm sure it will put off some potential purchasers as it might be perceived you haven't looked after the vehicle.

But there will always be someone out there if the price is right. Just a case of finding that someone who isn't worried or happy to fix the issues them self / cheaper 3rd party. They'll save a bit of money over you paying the £2k and reflecting that in your asking price.

Elmo3 · Jul 18, 2022

How old is the van, must be at least 7 if a T5? I’d fix the blind but give buyers the choice of a discount on the roof canvas. Someone may decide they want to fit a different colour from the standard grey for example. Repair any holes with tear aid in the meantime.

HowieDog · Jul 18, 2022

Perfectos said:
Photos ?

Collection on 29th .

Elmo3 said:
How old is the van, must be at least 7 if a T5? I’d fix the blind but give buyers the choice of a discount on the roof canvas. Someone may decide they want to fit a different colour from the standard grey for example. Repair any holes with tear aid in the meantime.

September 2014

Elmo3 · Jul 18, 2022

HowieDog said:
September 2014

You could argue a new canvas on an 8 year old van is ‘betterment’ but it’s all going to come down to the price. If you’re asking top money, I’d expect it to be perfect. The Hymer looks ace btw.

HowieDog · Jul 18, 2022

Elmo3 said:
You could argue a new canvas on an 8 year old van is ‘betterment’ but it’s all going to come down to the price. If you’re asking top money, I’d expect it to be perfect. The Hymer looks ace btw.

Thanks - will do a full review once we've had it for a bit. I'm erring towards the canvas too, as you say, it is 8 years old. For a small premium I can get the panoramic roof fitted too which should be pretty appealing to someone looking for an older van.

Didn't realise I could get this, or I'd have swapped it out ages ago and enjoyed all the fresh air!

apreading · Jul 18, 2022

Personally, if I saw the ad with the faults noted, it would make me think it wasnt properly cared for and there could be other things wrong that I havent been told about. I also wouldnt trust a seller who is not offering a warranty to be telling me the truth that the roof canvas is not a problem.

I wouldnt buy it even with the cost of fixing knocked off.

Maybe on a cheap banger I would but not on a premium product like this. I would just move on to the next ad.

Thing is, you will never know how many people it would have put off - because they will never get in touch...

GrumpyGranddad · Jul 18, 2022

Have you approached a dealer for a price? Will be lower than a private sale but you’ll have no come backs.

HowieDog · Jul 18, 2022

apreading said:
Personally, if I saw the ad with the faults noted, it would make me think it wasnt properly cared for and there could be other things wrong that I havent been told about. I also wouldnt trust a seller who is not offering a warranty to be telling me the truth that the roof canvas is not a problem.

I wouldnt buy it even with the cost of fixing knocked off.

Maybe on a cheap banger I would but not on a premium product like this. I would just move on to the next ad.

Thing is, you will never know how many people it would have put off - because they will never get in touch...

Yes very true.
Mechanically it’s been faultless and the only minor things over almost 3 years have been the blind and a tambour door. The roof had a
Couple of smalll pinch tears in it when we bought it but someone else in my family (who shall remain nameless) managed to take a slice out of the canvas on a really windy day and didn’t check the bungee was doing it’s job!!
More a case of not getting round to changing it as it works just fine, just doesn’t look very pretty from outside.

BeagleMum · Jul 18, 2022

HowieDog said:
I’m prepping our van for sale (will be listed in here) as our new Hymer has arrived.

There are two items that haven’t bothered us but may bother a new owner.

The rear roller blind is stuck rolled out and won’t retract. Replacement fitted is £350. We have never really had it down as there is always stuff in the back.

The pop up roof has over the years collected some holes both sides where it has been trapped in the scissor arms. One side has a tear about 3cm and the plastic stiffener is damaged.

It goes up and down ok and we have an isotop so don’t even notice from inside and it’s never let in any moisture.

We can replace it at the same time as the blind. If we do both it’s almost £2k but that included the panoramic roof bellows as an upgrade.

Is it worth doing both of these before we sell it do you think, or would a prospective buyer knock off the cost or live with the way it is??

It’s provisionally booked in for the join on Friday week.

Would welcome some wise counsel!!

I would walk away from anything that needed repair. I would be thinking what else is wrong that they haven’t told me about, but that’s me, others may happily take it needing repair.

andyinluton · Jul 18, 2022

The only reason for not doing the repair is that this week & next are probably peak selling time. Unless you can find somewhere that can fit you in quick you may be missing the best time to sell.

HowieDog · Jul 18, 2022

All booked in at Breeze Friday 29th for new panoramic bellows and new rear blind!

Now time to wash the van and get the advert written!!

soulstyledevon · Jul 18, 2022

How much they charging you for the Panoramic bellows…???

Alied · Jul 18, 2022

soulstyledevon said:
How much they charging you for the Panoramic bellows…???

Dark grey bellows with panoramic opening-£564.47 from LLLparts.

7E7875059KIU7

VW Bus & Reise Tutorials

Wir geben dir Tipps und Umbau Anregungen für deinen Campingbus und dem Reisen im Van und liefern dir Tricks zur optimalen Pflege und Handhabung deiner Camping Ausrüstung.

www.timetoride.de

Would also like to know the labour rate from Breeze.

Billylou · Jul 18, 2022

Welcome to the dark side @HowieDog, you’ll love it.

HowieDog · Jul 18, 2022

Alied said:
Dark grey bellows with panoramic opening-£564.47 from LLLparts.

7E7875059KIU7

VW Bus & Reise Tutorials

Wir geben dir Tipps und Umbau Anregungen für deinen Campingbus und dem Reisen im Van und liefern dir Tricks zur optimalen Pflege und Handhabung deiner Camping Ausrüstung.

www.timetoride.de

Would also like to know the labour rate from Breeze.

That’s good! I suppose doing the work at VW whilst it costs more does give my new buyer the guarantee on parts and fitting.

They are charging Labour at internal warranty rates.

HowieDog · Jul 18, 2022

Billylou said:
Welcome to the dark side @HowieDog, you’ll love it.
View attachment 96380

Nice, Ayers Rock?

Should I repair or not?

HowieDog

WelshGas

Retired after 42 yrs and enjoying Life.

Azteccamper

Ch1pbutty

jonr71

Perfectos

Perfectos

HowieDog

soulstyledevon

Kennycalifornia

The Saint Essex

Elmo3

HowieDog

Elmo3

HowieDog

apreading

GrumpyGranddad

HowieDog

BeagleMum

andyinluton

HowieDog

soulstyledevon

Kennycalifornia

Alied

VW Bus & Reise Tutorials

Billylou

HowieDog

VW Bus & Reise Tutorials

HowieDog

Similar threads

Useful links

VW California Club

About us

Our Partners

Our Partners