1989 Bedford Astramax review from UK and Ireland

Front wheel bearings at 105,000 miles, and now grumbling again.

Clutch at 120,000 miles.

Alternator at 155,000 miles.

Top end rebuilt at 190,000 miles with a new camshaft and followers, decoke, and to replace weeping head gasket.

Brake system rebuild at 200,000 miles.

Fabulous van. Used for a small landscape gardening business and it's amazing what you can squeeze into it. Bought as an ex demonstrator with 250 miles on the clock in June 1989.

The tiny 1300cc engine is very powerful for its size and unladen it will still top the ton if required. It popped its head gasket at 190k and with the camshaft clattering badly, I took a weekend and rebuilt it with new cam and followers. The engine once again runs beautifully. Returns around 35 mpg in daily (laden) use. Gearbox has never given a day's trouble, and the clutch can be replaced without removing it. This makes it a £150 job even professionally.

Creaky interior now with knackered seats and overall tatty feel, but mechanically it's been a peach. I change the oil and filter once a year, the spark plugs and air filter every two years, and the cambelt every three. It just works. Body has a bit of rust, but it's only cosmetic.

A solid, reliable little van that still does everything I need it to do, and has never failed an MOT. Until this changes, I'll hang on to it. It owes me absolutely nothing.