Hoping To Find Our Next Big Project - A Giant Vario Van Build!

[@marks-0-0]

Don't walk away, RUN!

[@alexandersmith6165]

I've owned a 609d for four years now. I paid 7k delivered, MOT, registered camper and converted, although I've gutted and rebuilt interior. Not missed a beat, but sill need doing asap. Just done first year full-time in Cornwall, superb vehicles. Will be great to see you Mel in one of these iconic vehicles.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you for the encouragement really appreciated you’re going to have to watch this Sunday 🤫

[@davidmuirhead1060]

Our first camper conversion was a 508D. It was the grandad version of the Vario with the curved front cowl. It was used by a local farmer / potato merchant to deliver sacks of potatoes and had sky rocket miles. But it was fully maintained / serviced and totally rust free - ran like a 30,000 km one not the 300,000 one it was. It was slow but ultra reliable. We all loved it.

[@trudysimms1564]

Generally only stinkers that are put through Autions as no else would touch them with a barge pole. Bought a car at Auction years ago...never again. It spend more time in the garage than out of it and the mechanic used to call it the 'Yellow Peril! A bowl of custard would have been more reliable!!

[@Grt234]

RUN !!!

[@pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN]

I was thinking by the end between £500 to £700.00 and with sellers fees plus delivery £700.00 totalling £1000.00 to £1200.00 max. As soon as I heard All the details included at the end I could understand your feelings about it, you definitely done the right thing. There are good projects and then there is a quagmire situation, you avoided the latter 👍

[@capnsparkle]

Well done Mel - Hopefully you've saved a few people a fortune

[@steved2189]

Nobody would buy that surely ! Not even at 500£ 🥴☹️

[@garriecurtis7267]

I'd walk away then progress to a jog then a very fast run in the opposite direction to that Mel

[@SACREDTRAVELLER]

Ha ha ha love your comment 😂😂😂

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Brilliant 😂🤣👍🤓

[@wgalicyji]

perfect job guys...thanks for all this informations...:-)

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Our pleasure!

[@thomasucc]

Lucky escape there guys

[@CheckFred]

That was REALLY Enlightening Mel .... Well Done!! ...... And You nearly WERE!!! 😂😂

[@andrewmitchell8859]

I looked at the big vario years ago , brilliant looking vehicle ,reliable,ideal great engineering , But sadly in an era of poor bodywork , Rot boxes such a shame for these ❤️💔 love them ! They look 👍🏻

[@brainbreen118]

I have had a few 609, 614, 814s all as minibuses. You are better looking at a 24 seater minbus. They are generally in better condition and will have windows and seats already fitted. Look for cracks in the bulk head and look for lift in the front stub pins. A replacement axle is around £1000. Also look at the body at the chassis. There should be a half inch gap. The body at the rear bends and touches the chassis. Good luck. The one is a poor example

[@brainbreen118]

Try Dronsfield Oldham. The get ex security vans and break them. I know someone that is getting rid of one. Its been sitting in a side garden for 7 years and just wants scrap value. It needs work for sure.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you for sharing your experience really appreciate it 👍🤓👍

[@jimirowley8224]

My friend has converted one exactly the same

[@itsallfabrication]

Cheers for the info Mel.

[@zx10rmac84]

Glad you walked away mate, like you say, plenty of better vans out there! Keep er lit 👌🇬🇧⚔️

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thanks 👍

[@Indiekid-1976]

I noticed when he restarted the van, Becky said it started “straight the way!” Outside Leicester, most people say “straight away” so I really noticed that!

[@mpjkea2000]

Good luck building a new van, always good to have a project.

[@tmd0119]

Unless you find one thats already had the panels sorted, you will most certainly become very proficient with a mig welder! They all rot, that one has had a life already, probably has more in it too, just depends on how deep your pockets are, i believe there are places that make repair panels for all the common spots, good luck on finding one.

[@stopneverstop]

Its got a PTO which is useful for winches

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Oh

[@john-xx8nc]

Your well out of that m8 cheers

[@keithsyers5833]

Oh my stars. Are you sure. I've not been well to come back and see you. Be careful and safe. I'll try and call by

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Oh buddy hope you’re feeling better soon 🤞be good to see you when you are 👍🍻👍

[@barbwire8280]

Nice play off each other, this is a good direction to go in...MORE Rebecca. Love your videos Mel , but your bantering about the condition of the van works so well. Take advantage of that. She is an asset !!!!!! Happy van hunting !

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you so very much 🙏

[@ChazFryerExtreme]

So glad I watched this, I live near there and drive passed tempted to look for a new van but not after listening to their fees!!! Auctions used to be the place to buy cheap vehicles but not any more!!

[@lorrainesveganallotment887]

Such valuable information. Thanks so much for the heads up.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Glad it was helpful! thank you

[@simonwillmott5206]

I looked at the same van and had the same conclusion. Ended up buying a solid 2007 816D from Ebay with the crane removed for less than that one went for. Trade plate delivery was £520 but it was a 7 hour drive for the plater. Cant wait to see what you do with one when you find the right one.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Interesting that thank you and good luck with your new project 👍

[@simonwillmott5206]

@@BigVanSmallWorld thanks. There's a good one for sale in Bodmin if you want me to put you in touch with the seller?

[@mikebourke1185]

1500 Max its.a scrapper..most Varios are Rust buckets. If you find one with a good cab. Cut it behind the bulkhead n fit a fridge body on it 😊 all your insulation is done already engines are good for a million miles or more .. happy hunting. 😅

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you 🙏

[@zenzen9131]

You dodged a bullet there mate regardless of the fees !

[@stuartchapman5171]

Do you weld? I used to. I hated doing motors. No matter how well you look at it, double the rot, then expect to dig back metal even further, to get a strong weld. Its such a shame about Mercs. That cherry picker removal, you'd have to get a hia-ab in to remove it. Good luck, those vans are great motors, there's just not many about.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Yeah I used to have an old VW I learned to use a mig welder very quickly 😂👍

[@PRESTIGEANDCLASSIC]

I wouldn't have it given! It's a money pit, and you can't polish a turd... Weeks and weeks of welding and bodywork, plus that crane. I have found some lovely examples on a website called autoscout24 but most are left hand drive from Germany,many are ex fire trucks. They look immaculate compared to that one. I can't have anything that heavy because of my licence is 3.5 tonne, but I'm alright with that because when you see the real world flue economy, especially after a conversion I couldn't afford to drive it anywhere. I'm staying old-school with a aircooled VW T25 :) Great video, I'm kinda relived you didn't buy it.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you 🙏

[@Beardedbushman420]

I get excited when I see a vario on your vids haha you guys will find the perfect one soon enough. Much love me and Georgia

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Hi ya it’s all your fault 😂🤣😂🤙🍻💕

[@Beardedbushman420]

@BigVanSmallWorld haha I don't mind taking blame for that 😁 we should have our vario back this week so we may have to take a trip to see you two

[@jeanniehyde8090]

Follow your gut instincts Mel . 😃👏🏾👏🏾Phew, so glad you did your research . Thank you for enlightening us about hidden auction fees .

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

You are so welcome 👍

[@Marshy234]

Some great advice here again Mel and glad you swerved any shiftiness

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thanks again!🙏

[@anthonyellis1409]

Bloody hell mel. Looks like you will have to do a new Biuld on it . But thay r great wen all dun

[@DaveTheDasher77]

Great vlog, It’s similar here , I am thinking of a furniture truck,for my next build .

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

There’s a great auction house on the Gold Coast called Lloyds they sell all sort including bankruptcy stock and boats/ cars/ vans I got a right bargain VW t5 from them many years ago 👍🍻🇦🇺

[@andymiles6443]

£7.50 mel. with a free coffee for both of you and and voucher for day out somewhere. they painted a rusty brown van with yellow paint.. RUN...

[@alessandropizzuti9166]

Exaggerated price... Indeed.... thank you Mell 😊

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

My pleasure 😊

[@pbhd8]

Wouldn't give more than £500 for that rot box

[@897aa33]

550 now : )

[@wontbelongnow5567]

It's worth about 2000 pounds export to Africa .they fetch good money because they run for ever.

[@smithy5271]

Naughty !! Good video, thanks guys

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@keithsyers5833]

Really thank you for teaching me about auctions . Never been to one

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

You are so welcome👍🤓👍

[@angeladawn805]

Yet another Public Service Information Video. Excellent sleuthing team 🫡🤗🙂

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you 🙏

[@greenmanbotanicals1828]

Thats my dream van right there

[@wgalicyji]

very helpfull again🙂🤗

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Glad you think so!

[@jonesdecorators]

Bit late now but I knew about those buyers fees. That place isn’t to far from me. I think you made the best decision.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thanks 🙏

[@bettyourcampervan]

Another ace video guys 😁😁

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you 🙏

[@RustyRoseAdventures]

Yeah that’s almost as bad as mine was!😂 Doable but lots of work, thing is with them is the chassis are solid but yeah sills don’t exist 😂😂 good luck with finding one guys!

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Hay buddy hopefully see you soon 👍🤓👍

[@Brian-Boru]

Great video as always! Definitely learned something new today on those prices

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Glad to hear it!👍🤓👍

[@theoldhobbit3640]

Very informative video and solid information on the buying process. What I found most interesting is that the company I work for sends all its old vehicles to MMA and thats quite a few in our industry. I wont be going anywhere near them thats for sure.

[@timstradling7764]

You’ve definitely done the right thing. Plenty of others in far better condition available. By the time you’ve got rid of the cherry picker and sorted the rust problems, new doors, sills and bonnet you’re into £5-6000 more at least to get a base vehicle. HMMM!

[@nicknorth-east]

It would take 6 months worth of welding before you could even start the camper build. Huge project and body panels would cost a fortune. Would make a great parts vehicle. Great video Mel

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you 😊

[@wanderingpebbles1206]

Another great video and very interesting ❤❤

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Glad you enjoyed it 😘🇦🇺

[@rhiantaylor3446]

I have bought several cars from BCA but stopped quite a few years ago when it became apparent that traders had caused them to set a significant fees premium for private buyers. I don't think that was the vehicle for you as the cherry picker mechanism represented a significant part of the value but you didn't need it. Have you considered Luton vans - you would get a lot of solar on the big flat roof.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

No i really am set on a Vario

[@patrickjobling8676]

Well my lil lovelys ..that was amazingkts.. criminals that advertise.. good grieff .. dodge a bullet ..krikeys ..missed standin on i.e.d .. gotta admit ..i dunn mind the older moosadiesladies .. anywhos must away worlds to save..good luck great vid..😍😎😁pip pips and awwwwway

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you buddy 🙏👍🇦🇺

[@Pugwash.]

You might want to keep your little doggy in camera shot. I thought someone was trumping away for ages! I'd have run away from that van as soon as I spotted the rust.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Lol little monster dose make some strange noise 😂👍

[@rogerstarkey5390]

At least now you know all the rust points!!

[@dtvking]

The problem also with cherry pickers is it may be low mileage but that engine has been idling for hundreds, if not thousands of hours when in use.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

This is something that I really didn’t consider so thank you 🙏

[@loosewheels1000]

I looked at mma when I was after a van, but their fees put me off, ended up buying from Brightwells auctions in Leominster. they take lots of photos and video the engine running as well.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

yeah Brightwells sounds good

[@yorkieboy239]

Hi Mel , that van would be good for spares only in my book 😀 26:28

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Yeah I’m with you on that

[@karlmabe1649]

Trading Standards should be called in

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Yeah so true but the auctions have been dodging the same built for years it’s about time things changed

[@keithsbitsandpieces]

That van is fit for scrap and nothing else

[@stephenpoessl5464]

That was a complete rot box and the auction fees are robbery .l love those vans but it is hard to find a really good one. Good luck with it Mel.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you 🙏

[@chrisdervin5420]

Interesting video. Would have probably priced it on the value of the engine and gearbox. A lot of work, would need to be good diy welder and possibly fabricate some of the parts.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

You are right!👍

[@andrewmitchell8859]

In fact sat in traffic behind a council mobility bus only 4 or 5 years old not long ago the rust on the doors , hinges , wheel arches , bonnet lips was very disappointing from such a brilliant manufacturer , we used to slag off Japanese vehicles years ago for less rust and corrosion !

[@JohnSmith-jg2rj]

Would not touch it with a barge pole only fit for SCRAP

[@gbwildlifeuk8269]

Its a wreck! That said if its cheap enough you could put it in the garden, break the windows and breed chickens in it! 🤣🤣👍

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Hahaha 🤣

[@Deiseboi]

Jog on mel...that's some work before you even start converting.

[@mentalneil]

That's totally crazy , the fee's are horrendous

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

That’s right and exactly why I felt the need to make this video 👍

[@anthonyellis1409]

It cost about 8Grand to make road save again

[@paul2385]

Hey Mel You can pick good one up for about £4000 but you will still have body work issues but the engines are great 👍 They are like tanks 🍻🍻

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

That's the plan!

[@cinny2222]

Money Pit that thing...best left well alone yes , its a brea in er if anything, Weigh the Cherry Picker in , sell the Engine and Box......Crafty change of Clothes by Becky ,Skirt to Jeans......Hope The Wet Patch dried up, Mel You got a Dirty laugh 😂

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Haha well spotted 👏👏👏🙏

[@theadventuresoflario]

Think you were right to walk away from that, regardless of the fees mate... looked like a hell of a lot of work.

[@twobirdsinavanaustralia9599]

loved the video, Mel.... best not to pay those fees, they are very high...and the rust...I raised a sweat just thinking about it 😅

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Hi you too thank you 🙏

[@BrianEdge-bv5lw]

Reckon walking away from that will be the best decision you'll make this year.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you 🙏

[@leegradwell6400]

Does it have to be a Mercedes. Optare Alero would be a good option. No rust either. 😊

[@v4nlife282]

The idea of going to a car auction is to get a good deal that you could potentially sell on for a profit not get kicked in the balls with their fidget fees & VAT, MMA hang your heads in shame 😡😡 well done Mel for showing people what devious tricks they use to con the public 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Love your Chanel and obviously Rebecca the sacred travellers Chanel too keep up the good content guys 👍🏻

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you

[@johnfittis5764]

Walk away Mel just walk away😂😂😂

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

I did walk

[@johnfittis5764]

@@BigVanSmallWorld I posted that as soon as I saw the rust. That thing is always going to be worth more for the cherry picker and scrap than for anyone wanting to fix it. You did the right thing. Something better we come along👍

[@audibell]

Just found out on Google you need a special license licence you won't be able to drive a Mercedes Vario - even an unladen 614D weighs 3,555kg and once you have added everything that makes up your van conversion it will weigh much more! So to drive a Mercedes Vario you will need a Category C1 or a Category C licence

[@dalegreenacre2635]

He got a hgv license

[@SACREDTRAVELLER]

Mel has that license already having been a HGV driver for a few years 👍🏻

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

yeah i got that 🙏

[@rogerstarkey5390]

Plus you'd be hiring a crane to pull the cherrypicker

[@73smoo]

It's half gone!

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Yeah 👍

[@sharonb.9128]

They should slink away in shame for trying to palm that rust bucket off as anything other than a junkyard scrap vehicle. The RUST crumbling at your touch screamed “MONEY PIT!” Great decision.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you 🙏

[@francescaine7268]

The company I used to work for bought a long wheelbase landrover, with 25,000 on the clock, had nothing but trouble from the day they bought it. Talking to an electrician one day who used to drive it and told me it had spent it's life as a cable puller for an electric company. It would have been driven to the site and the engine would have worked a big winch in the back. That explains why the mileage was so low, but the engine had been worked to death.buyer beware of low mileage working vehicles.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Thank you that’s what I was also thinking 🙏

[@johnshaw4140]

Would it be worth your while looking at a government auction Mel ?

[@anthonyellis1409]

You can fix it mel

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

I’ve been doing that for to many years 👍🤓👍

[@RolyHough]

The bloke said engines good, bodies crap I had 2 of those as minibuses. He was right but repairs where through the roof.

[@NomaddUK]

That's a scrapper.

[@nabarnes]

22:45 - I'd go one step further. If you can't find the buyers' fees on-line, walk away.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

We did

[@vinnyOdea878]

The dog making the noise in the background makes it sound like the pair of you have a bad case of wind 😂

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Haha that was Becky 😂🤣😂👍

[@keithsyers5833]

2k no more. Engine chain driven cam 500k + miles

[@lukepowell7813]

Were was this auction place ? Or name of it please

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

I really don’t want to say where it is sorry

[@Martinitsme]

Surely the van worth more with the cherry picker

[@garethwatts_]

what do you call low milage mel

[@garethwatts_]

Went past merthyr auction today mel the Merc is still there

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Interesting that sorry for late response I have been under the weather

[@garethwatts_]

@@BigVanSmallWorld that’s ok you going to Stratford show, anyway if I see you there I’ll have a chat got some info going forward Cheers

[@garethwatts_]

Nice to meet you and Becky thanks

[@looneytune6955]

I remember looking at these guys when i was looking for another van for work. Once you factored in the fees such as VAT and the crazy buyers fees/delivery fees it wasn't far off the prices of buying from local buyers. Just didn't seem worth the time and effort to save a few hundred quid. I'm guessing all the van auctions work like this not just these guys.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Yes probably 👍

[@Dirt-Diggler]

@BigVanSmallWorld I used to get ex PO and BR vans at BCA Blackbushe and they only had the usuall BCA fees, not crazy ass ones like at Merthyr 🤔

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

@@Dirt-Diggler yes definitely better of at BCA although they have now gone over to on line only auctions 🙏

[@ivanbogdanov632]

Hi Mel, a good van choice , I owned the same one for a couple of years 20 years ago, a great van, worth the effort.Some off topic question if you are able to help me with, I have a 2in1 battery charger/mppt cotroler and would like to be able to charge my starter battery from the solar, which is an AGM one exactly as the leisure batteries are. Do you have an idea how should I do wiring to achieve that , thanks

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Yes use a VSR between your starter battery and house battery as they work both ways

[@Dirt-Diggler]

They are well known for their fees, a lot of ambulances go through their doors as well and there's a lot of disgruntled buyers of those about , TBH, that will end up being exported and probably make the 3G 🤔

[@Chester1975]

You definitely dodged a bullet there, you would of been opening yourself up to a whole world of pain looking at the rust on that.

[@Michael-m4y]

Rotten as a pear, gaffa tape holding it together don't walk but run away lol

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

Haha 😂

[@captaindave47]

You did well walking away, I won't pay more than £500 for that.

[@karlossmith3714]

10 mins from my house 😅 should have said I would have ran and got some info on it for you

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

If only I had known 🤙

[@karlossmith3714]

@@BigVanSmallWorld if you do find anymore there or local let me know I’ll video chat you around one instead of you travelling down to see. Might save you a trip ☺️

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

@@karlossmith3714 thanks that would be awesome could you send me your email to [e-mail] please 🙏

[@Scottishebikeadventures]

They'd need to pay me to take it away . Done the right thing walking away .

[@charliethebubbles]

Bloody hell m8. Do a runner now.

[@vwgolffancarreviews7111]

Are you selling the sprinter look in Germany there are lots for sale there to drive those vans you need a hgv license to drive it

[@SACREDTRAVELLER]

He has a HGV license already from previous career

[@vwgolffancarreviews7111]

@@SACREDTRAVELLER oh ok

[@SACREDTRAVELLER]

@@vwgolffancarreviews7111thanks for the tips! 😊

[@vwgolffancarreviews7111]

@@SACREDTRAVELLER no problems