The 1998 Hymer 544 is based on the front-wheel drive version of the Fiat Ducato. The conversion itself has a good reputation for quality, but the mechanical underpinnings of the van have a somewhat mixed history. Gearbox failures, for example, are quite common: vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/fiat/ducato-2006...d

The key thing to check when buying a used camper van is its usage. Is it driven regularly? Camper vans are based on commercial vehicles which are designed to clock up 200,000 miles in a few years before being sold on or scrapped. They aren't designed to sit unused for eight months of the year doing nothing. Vehicles that are can be prone to all kinds of age-related chassis, suspension and mechanical problems. For our in-depth used camper van buying guide, see: vans.honestjohn.co.uk/mpvs-and-camper-vans/how-to-...n