An area worth checking is the front axle beam. Ancillaries such as Bump stops,Ball joints and shock absorbers are easily replaced at no great expense. But the Main axle beam is NOT. this is a big job. US Imported Camper Vans should NOT have any problems with front axle beams, But UK and European seem to suffer quite badly.

I have seen beams that have literally rotted through, Big Time. The problem is welding, I have know a lot of Garages FAIL a mot because of welded repaired beams, but some do pass. Personally if i was buying a VW Camper i would NOT buy one that has had the axle welded.

The best way to check the axle is to take the wheel off. The main problem areas are around where the Bump stops are and the Bottom of the axle corners, where they extensivley rust. If it has been welded it will clearley be seen. Please also take a small screwdriver to scrape away any dirt to see how it looks.

There are a few suppliers now around supplying rust free imported Front Axles so its worth pricing them up.

VOLKSWAGEN SPLITSCREEN CAMPER SEALED BEAM LIGHTS 6VOLT £0.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Sep-07-2010 18:17:36 BST Add to watch list

vw camper 2" narrowed ball joint beam £40.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Sep-13-2010 10:44:20 BST Add to watch list

VW SPLIT & BAY CAMPER FRONT axle BEAM 10.9 HT , 8 BOLTS £14.99 End Date: Tuesday Sep-14-2010 13:54:47 BST Add to watch list

VW Camper Headlamp High Beam Relay 12V £17.45 End Date: Saturday Sep-18-2010 14:08:00 BST Add to watch list

VW Baywindow westfalia camper front beam £225.00 End Date: Sunday Sep-19-2010 15:57:55 BST Add to watch list