Thought it was worth asking on here as would rather buy from someone I can trust!

A friend is looking for a 10 year old plus Transit (or similar) preferably with a pickup or dropside rear body, but would certainly consider a van particularly if hightop or LWB.

Must be in 100% reliable & serviceable condition, he really can't afford a load of downtime or expensive repairs, it's only going to do local mileage so not too worried about mileage (provided it hasn't been to Mars & back!) or if the body has a few biffs & bashes, it's just the mechanical condition that's important.

Budget around £1500, but can probably go to a bit over £2k for a decent vehicle - I know it's a bit of a longshot, but if anyone has anything or knows to anything then please let me know

Also any opinions feedback on just how the other vans fare, Fiat, Citroen, Peugeot, Vauxhall etc. I rather doubt he can afford a Merc!

I bought a transit a couple of years ago. It was a a ex nhs ambulance( minibus with wheelchair lift). It is dual fuel, not knocked about at all, high roof too. 2.3 duratec petrol and lpg and had a shock when it was free roadtax. 240k and it starts and runs great. Been through 2 mot's now without a hiccup. builders vans tend to be knocked about and delivery vans raced around. Mine was transporting patients to and fro and were always well maintained. Recommend them.

Oddly enough the ambulances I've been in of recent times have been driven like they were stolen with the plod on their tails. I have no doubt they're serviced well and not bashed about, but they do seem to get driven hard - could be a symptom of them not belonging to the driver.

I am a Transhit devotee, but yes, I've had other vans too.

The MK5 ('smiley' will always be my favourite. I still have the last two, both serve as mobile sheds (an ex-Richfords Fire and Flood and an ex-White Arrow). Excessive rot, not mechanicals, killed them for road use.

Current race tug is a 2002 LWB High Top, the last (perhaps the last ever built), which has the mechanical-injection 2.5 engine. It's a full 3.5T, produces a massive 75 BHP and has been responsible for many long queues up and down the country. It is, however, incredibly reliable. Rot is starting to take a hold, already I've welded the rear bump stops, rear chassis crossmember and front chassis legs.

What I replace this with, eventually when it gets really bad, I know not. I'm not as wealthy as most.

So.................... get a Transhit!

Bump & update, decided it defo has to be a dropside or flatbed, let me know of anything you have worth the money!