Opel Vectra 1.8 Stationwagon – 2005 – 504.442 km - Klokje Rond

Summary

This video script is about an 18.5 year old Opel Vectra station wagon that has been driven nearly 500,000 km on LPG gas. The car was originally purchased and converted to LPG by the current owner's father. An automotive expert thoroughly inspects the car and finds many issues including: foggy headlights, oil leaks, worn suspension and steering components, rust, and improperly replaced brake lines. The expert concludes the car has extremely poor handling and needs to be taken off the road immediately due to multiple safety issues.

Takeaways

• 😦 The Opel Vectra station wagon has major issues after driving over 500,000 km, including bad shock absorbers, loose steering, and rust.
• 🚗 It was converted to LPG before the first kilometers were driven, and has always run on LPG.
• ⛽ The owner's father chose it for the extra cargo space needed for camping and mountain sports gear.
• 🚦 The headlights are so foggy they likely won't pass inspection, along with other safety issues.
• 🔧 There are signs of amateur repair work done underneath like rerouted brake lines attached incorrectly.
• 🛢 Oil leaks indicate worn engine and transmission mounts allowing too much movement.
• 🔧 Worn homokinetic joints contribute to excessive drivetrain vibration felt while driving.
• ⚙️ The steering intermediate shafts have excessive play due to worn tie rod ends.
• 🛞 Rust around rear suspension mounting points may indicate it needs replacement soon.
• ❌ In summary, while functional, it has exceeded its service life and should be taken off the road.

Q & A

Why did Jasper's father choose a station wagon model?

Because they needed a lot of luggage space for camping gear and mountain sports equipment for their frequent trips to the mountains.

When was the LPG conversion done on this car?

Right before the first kilometers were driven, so right after import from Germany.

What mileage has this car covered?

Almost half a million kilometers, with about 470,000 driven by the first owner and the rest by Jasper.

What was the issue with the engine recently?

It was making a strange zooming noise which turned out to be the dynamo that then got replaced.

What does Jasper expect the inspection to reveal?

A number of things that may be worn or faulty that you don't notice anymore when driving the car yourself, like suspension noise when it's cold outside.

What safety issues are identified during the inspection?

Very dull headlights with moisture inside, missing headlight covers causing moisture, worn steering joints affecting handling, incorrectly replaced brake lines.

What causes the bad steering feel of the car?

Worn suspension dampers, chassis with detached steering, bad quality winter tires - all contributing to very detached steering.

How can the car still have recently passed inspection with these flaws?

It remains unclear how issues like moisture in lamps, missing lamp covers and detached brake lines were missed or ignored.

What action does Jasper decide to take after the inspection?

Seriously consider if he can still safely drive the car and likely replace it within a year or less.

What condition is the car in overall according to the inspector?

It's extremely worn out in almost every area - lamps, chassis, suspension, steering, transmission, brakes etc.