GUTTED Stolen Harmony

Really sorry to hear that it's still dragging on Algy. Best of luck with the FOS.

Just wondering - have things progressed with the 'cloned' camper?

I experienced an almost identical situation, which after 19 months was finally resolved.

I might be of some assistance having been where you find yourself.

Mike.

Sympathy,

If it took you that long I think Algy has still some time to wait.
Hope he gets a satisfactory result in the end though.

PB

I see Algy visited the forum at 6.09pm today, so perhaps we will get an update following Sympathy's post.

I've seen quite a few autosleeper boxer hightops advertised at attractive prices claiming to be 2000 or 2001 models when they are clearly older, around 1995 to 1997 models. There are tell tale signs such as the upholstery and materials used in different years.They are probably cloned as in the case of the original poster or even transplanted interiors from damaged vehicles into a newer panel van.

Something else I've noticed is autosleeper van conversions on ebay based on Fiat Ducato's and Citroen Relays. I may be wrong but I was led to believe that Autosleeper only converted on the Peugeot boxer which would point to more cloning or vehicles with a dodgy past.

Personally I think £9k is too cheap for a 2001 model, I would be suspicious if offered one at that price.

I'm not going to bother going into detail regarding my misfortune - but I was well aware that the name Autosleeper for campervans is almost generic - a bit like Hoovering with your Dyson. There are quite a few lookalike AS vans out there and I was mindful of trim changes, upgrades etc as the models progressed through the years.

Don't assume that people fail to use due diligence in these situations, and what I can tell you is that any HPI report is frankly useless - I cannot emphasis this enough.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing - but you really need to experience the way these crooked operate - look up cloned vehicles on the net you will be truely astounded.

What an awful tale. I am a newish member and did not see the original posts, I just hope Algy has had some good news.

What is in the mind of these people? Do not they not realise the consequences of their actions?

Bill

Take a look at this one on ebay:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Clearly not a 2002 model. Looks more like 1995 to 1997

1/ Its a Fiat, should be a peugeot.
2/ Upholstery is from an earlier age of van
3/ electrical control panel earlier.
4/ draw fronts on sofa older type.
5/ all the lighting is from an earlier van.

The list goes on. This van would probably come up clear on a hpi check but clearly has a hidden past.

Hi Yes i spoke to this owner last year. She is open about what she has done. i think she worked at Autosleepers.
Mike

Hi i have spoken to the owner, and as i said its up front, a newish van with the Autosleeper equipment and for the price it seems ok.
Should i steer clear ?
mike

If you are satisfied all is above board then if you intend to keep along time, have a look and satisfy yourself. If, after a year or so you want to sell or part-ex it, a dealer would certainly know that it's not actually an Autosleeper as there would be no build number in the glovebox. I notice from the photos that the name 'symphony' decals have ben omitted. Basically it's just a self-build and therefore worth a lot less.

mikethebike wrote:Hi Yes i spoke to this owner last year. She is open about what she has done. i think she worked at Autosleepers.
Mike

mikethebike wrote:Hi i have spoken to the owner, and as i said its up front, a newish van with the Autosleeper equipment and for the price it seems ok.
Should i steer clear ?
mike

Am I correct in thinking you are interested in buying this vehicle Mike?

If it's not a genuine factory build by Auto-Sleepers then it's "NOT an Auto-Sleeper" your choice but I'd run a mile if the info posted above by jt2011 is correct.

Also doubtful that the seller worked at Auto-Sleepers as I would expect any employees would know better than to cobble a vehicle together and pass it off as an Auto-Sleeper

CC

As I now appear to be a specialist in identifying 'iffy' campers, I'll add my comments -

The internals are circa 95-97 without doubt.

There are two ways I would look at this -

Either a very accomplished individual has undertaken a complete re-fit on a newer van, including swapping/grafting a roof on - a petty major task.

Or lurking under that Fiat front nose is a Pug? with a [possibily dubious] facelift!

Now given my experience I'm probably a bit paranoid these days, but if I had seen this one on my searches, I would have been be very dubious.

I will not bother again to emphasise the need for extreme diligence in these matters - this may well be a cheap camper, albeit not an original AS, but do your homework. For example check ebay feedback - fairly recent purchase of AS graphics!? - be vigilant and tread carefully.

thanks for the replies. i have an original 96 one owner, to see from a main motorhome dealer,so its not likely i will be buying the rebuild as it is a long way to even see it! If i was sure i would never sell, it would do what i want. The newer body(no rust) and newer 1.9 tdi engine are the advantages.
I will report back what i get as i have spent 5 months researching and have viewed and tested 6 already so its getting a pain.
regards
Mike

I have just taken a decco at that van on eBay and I have to say to my unexpert eye, it looks a really good van. But it just goes to show that you need to know what you are doing - which I don't.

As previous and more knowledgable posters have said this van is not kosher and I believe them rather than the eBay ad. You have to ask yourself the question: Why is the current owner telling pork pies about this van? And you have to come to the conclusion that it has a dodgy past.

Interesting listening to the people in the know on this forum exposing this van.

I suppose the answer is to bite the bullet and pay extra for a dealer van unless you know these vans inside out and lets face it most of us don't.

I know a few workers from autosleepers in the 1990's and 2000's who basically built autosleeper replicas in their spare time on Ducatos, boxer's, relay's, trafic's etc. Its just a case of sourcing the materials from suppliers. For example the hightop roof was easily sourced, the wood furniture was made at avon joinery.

One thing they didn't do was put the autosleeper name on the van or model name. However subsequent owners could easily of added name badges at a later date.

As mentioned in an earlier post, to identify a genuine factory van look for the build number in the glovebox. You could even ring Autosleeper to check the build number corresponds with the vehicle you are viewing.

Also beware of the transplanted vehicles. I've seen quite a few older interiors refitted into a second hand panel van. Nothing wrong with doing this but it makes a difference to the value.

Based on my experience, cloning of vehicles is the real worry, I've come accross many examples and heard of quite a few. Its so easy for criminals to do it and make easy money.

Hi Guys
I have read Algy's story with trepidation as I also have seen a classified on e-bay and thought is this too good to be true?
The reply I received below to my request to view before buying somehow didn't ring true!!
The VW Auto sleeper Clubman GL, 2.4 Diesel, Power Steering, 2001 is apparently based in Dunoon, but seller location is London!!!

Thank you for your interest.My asking price is £8,000.00
I'll chek and I'll let you know when to collect it.
The camper is in perfect condition without any signs of damp/damage.
It had NO rust,everything inside and outside does work as it should with no faults.
It has got old MOTs,full VW service history,cam belt has been changed,HPI is clear,there were no accidents or outstanding finance,2 previous owners,
30 MPG, it is a Turbo model.
If you decide to buy it please contact me asap to discuss further details at [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] as I don't check all the time my ebay messages! also,I'll send you more pics with the camper
Best wishes,

Should I go ahead and view it?

Jackie

That is half the price of others on autotrader, there have been alot of motorhome scams of late.

jennyandpeter wrote:That is half the price of others on autotrader, there have been alot of motorhome scams of late.

You are right Jenny or is it Peter!
I think we will need to go back to the drawing board.
This will be my husband and I's first van and thought I was onto a winner until I came onto this forum and have been given a sobering eye opener.
The VW Clubman GL is so nice but I guess I need to go to a dealership unless anyone knows an honest VW owner who wants to sell.
I have read some brilliant advice on this site today.

Jackie

Bonnieweejeannie wrote:

jennyandpeter wrote:That is half the price of others on autotrader, there have been alot of motorhome scams of late.

You are right Jenny or is it Peter!
I think we will need to go back to the drawing board.
This will be my husband and I's first van and thought I was onto a winner until I came onto this forum and have been given a sobering eye opener.
The VW Clubman GL is so nice but I guess I need to go to a dealership unless anyone knows an honest VW owner who wants to sell.
I have read some brilliant advice on this site today.

Jackie

hi Jackie
See if you can get the address from the seller in Dunoon, I used to live in Rothesay, so I know the area well, however it looks like a scam at that price.
Boaby

Hi Bonnieweejeannie

Glad to have you on the forum.
Any chance of an intro?

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]


This van has been spotted already on the forum:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

My advice would include the word bargepole!!

PB

Peter here!
We found the vw a bit small for the two of us so purchased a duetto based on a transit chasis. There is the peterborough motorhone show this weekend but there must be something the same nearer you.
Most forums have a wanted section post in there and see what happens, unless you are set on a autosleeper try the generic motorhome sites such as motorhomefun. Ours is 18 years old so a bit rusty but it should be worth the same in a few years and we would have had more fun out of it than sticking the money in an ISA.
Good luck with your search.

peugeotboxer wrote:This van has been spotted already on the forum:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

My advice would include the word bargepole!!

PB

I've been reporting this as a scam to Ebay every day for a week now and it's still there. I asked to view but got no reply. Perhaps he's tried it before and knows my username on Ebay.

Paulmold wrote:

peugeotboxer wrote:This van has been spotted already on the forum:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

My advice would include the word bargepole!!

PB

I've been reporting this as a scam to Ebay every day for a week now and it's still there. I asked to view but got no reply. Perhaps he's tried it before and knows my username on Ebay.

Me too Paul.
Even used different names and emails

(No contact)

PB

Dunoon and no rust - who are they kidding?