09/05/2026
Its been brought to my attention that we have too many vans... so here goes..
2019 Renault Trafic L1H1, 140,000 km, nearly €4k spent recently, fully homologated towbar, mechanically sorted, cosmetically traumatised with around 140,000 km.
I will start with the truth, because there is no point dressing this thing up like it is about to sit on a Renault forecourt under flattering lights. It is a proper work van. It has worked for a living. It has earned its scars. It has not spent its life being polished by someone called Sebastian while classical music plays in the background.
It needs bodywork. The stickers need to be taken off. The seats need to be professionally cleaned and repaired. The back of the van looks like it has been used to store tools, rubble, wet boots, bad decisions and at least one object that definitely should have been tied down better.
It is white, technically. Some parts are still white. Other parts are a mixture of Lanzarote dust, old sticker glue, and what I can only describe as “builder’s van beige”. The bodywork has clearly had a few disagreements with gateposts, walls, tight driveways and possibly the laws of physics. If you are looking for perfect panels, keep scrolling. If you are looking for a van that can take a knock without having an emotional breakdown, read on.
The seats are not great. They do not say “luxury transport”. They say “someone once ate lunch in here during a sandstorm”. A professional cleaning and repair would make a big difference. At the moment, the interior has more character than strictly necessary.
Now for the important bit. Mechanically, this is where the money has gone.
I have recently spent almost €4,000 on the van, with invoices available. This includes a major service and expensive diesel/emissions work. The big one is the DPF/particulate filter, which was nearly €2,000 before labour. Anyone who knows modern diesel vans knows the DPF is not a cheap little “while you are there” job. It is the sort of bill that makes you stare silently at the wall and reconsider every life choice that led you to owning a diesel van.
Recent work includes DPF/particulate filter work, oil and filters, fuel filter, air filter, brake pads, AdBlue, and a PCV/oil separator repair. In plain English, a lot of the boring, expensive, important mechanical stuff has already been done. The stuff buyers usually worry about has not been ignored. It has been paid for. By me. Painfully.
It also has a recently fitted, fully homologated towbar, so it is legal and properly done. Not a mystery towbar fitted in a cousin’s yard with three bolts, a prayer and a YouTube video. It is homologated properly and ready for towing.
The last service noted that the front shocks and auxiliary belt/tensioner could do with replacing. I would expect that to cost roughly €600–€1,000, depending where you take it and what parts are used. I am being upfront about that because I would rather say it now than have someone turn up, crawl underneath it, make mechanic noises, and act like they have discovered a government conspiracy.
I was going to get the bodywork done, remove the stickers, sort the seats, do the advisory bits and then sell it looking far more respectable. But before I throw more money at making it prettier, I thought I would offer it as it stands.
Someone might want a bargain. Someone might be happy to tidy it up themselves. Someone might just want a solid work van and not care that it currently looks like it has been through a divorce and kept the bad memories.
The Leaky Finders can find a leak, but apparently we could not find a clean seat, a straight panel, or the person responsible for reversing into half the scenery. That said, where it matters, the money has gone in. It starts, drives, works, and has had serious recent mechanical spend.
This is not being sold as perfect. It is being sold as a 2019 Renault Trafic L1H1 with 140,000 km, nearly €4k recently spent, expensive DPF work already done, a fully homologated towbar, and cosmetic issues that are very much included in the price.
If nobody wants it as it stands, I will get the tidying work done myself and sell it for more. Simple as that.
Price: €11,000
Please do not message offering scrap money, a broken jet ski, a goat, or “cash today mate” followed by half the asking price. I know it needs tidying. That is why it is being offered now before I spend more on it.
Viewings welcome. Bring your mechanic. Bring your sense of humour. Bring realistic expectations. If you want a perfect-looking van, this is absolutely not it. If you want a usable 2019 Trafic with the big mechanical bills already dealt with, and you are not frightened by stickers, dents and seats that have seen things, this could be a very good buy.
