Lubyloo36 said:
hi, it may be very disappointing news, but unfortunatly Damian is correct. that is the trouble with buying from places like Gumtree and E bay little or no recourse from private sellers, if you know nothing about the items you wish to purchase you really should take someone along who does, to spot a ringer so to speak, now it's too late. unless you paid by credit card then you may have a glimmer of light once you get them involved. really the only way to view such items as if they are suspect form the outset.
you do not say what van it is, how old it is, or how much you paid for it. but I doubt very much if it not repairable. the caravan repair man was probably inferring to it being a uneconomical repair for him to do as it would cost more than the van is worth or he just did not want to do it, as any repair professionally done would have to carry a garauntee of work done.
now if you are handy with the tools or know some who is anything is possible I and some of the other members have undertaken major van repairs with complete success, when the jobs would not be touched by a workshop at any price it is up to you, there is not enough detail in the opening post to guess what might be wrong with it. to say anything more.