The VW bus: a quick buyer's guide

After so many years of being a cultural icon in the car market, the Volkswagen bus will not give you the perfect performance you desire, even if it looks great. However, the flaws are part of its character; it's never been particularly quick, the handling is average and it's not particularly cheap to run. Nobody really cares about this, though - it's the heart and soul of this classic that counts to all who buy it.

Firstly, you have to be prepared for the running costs of it on a day-to-day basis. While a nicely-restored van may come up on the market as an absolute bargain, it may also be expensive to keep. Shopping around for the correct van or bus insurance, such as a Staveley Head bus insurance policy, could save you vital cash to put into further restoration work or help with your petrol budget, with the price rises showing no sign of stopping.

When buying a VW bus, you have to keep an eye out for many issues that are part and parcel of any used car. As such, a solid inspection, as well as knowing what to scrutinise, is crucial to the success of buying a vehicle like this.

Many VW bus models are fully restored, even if it's just an external display. This makes them largely irresistible, yet most of these are decades old so many underlying problems could cause you a headache. The worst problem is rust; you must keep an eye out for it on the underside, the chassis on front, its roof gutters, window sills, bottom panels and wheel arches. This issue could be potentially fatal to any new purchase.

Check if all the controls are still functional, though don't be too surprised if a couple have succumbed to the ravages of time. However, if the heater or air-conditioning controls are not working, this could signal that the whole mechanism, cables and wiring need to be replaced and redone.

On a similar note, gearboxes are naturally hard-wearing in any VW, though keep an eye out for leaks and unusual rumbles. Equally, engine leaks can sometimes happen in older models. If smoke comes out of the muffler, this is a sign of serious engine trouble.

Before buying a VW bus and the necessary insurance and road tax, however, consider hiring the services of a Volkswagen expert. Not only will they know it to be a good purchase, but they will also know how to go about any necessary repairs.