Well Mark Boberg, I have given you 6 weeks to refund the $840 you promised, I guess your words "I am a straight guy who treats people the way I wish to be treated" are just empty and hollow.

We hired an 8 year old 6 berth Ducato based campervan from Mark Boberg of Adventure Vans for 6 months @ $16000

From the start:

The van was filthy, all the crockery needed cleaning before use, some bowls had thick mould.

The toilet didn't flush and it stank.

Van leaked from roof, two windows and side door.

Camping table and two chairs broken. I repaired.

Grill broken. I repaired

Ant infestation.

Bed broken. I repaired.

Electric kettle with no lead.

AC did not work.

Van had been in an accident, front panel out of alignment.

Overall interior appearance was pretty tatty and tired. There were so many things we just didn't notice in the 20 minute hand over.

During our trip:

We had a puncture so called out a mechanic, the mechanic informed us that it was in fact the wheel itself that had a crack and the tyre was illegal anyway being bald on the inner rim. The spare wheel was used and a new tyre fitted, we now had no spare wheel. Incidentally, the tyre on the spare wheel was also illegal with the steel cords exposed.

We had a second puncture - no spare!

Total cost of replacing tyres cost us nearly $540.

The water pump broke so the van was in the garage for two days which meant we had to stay in a B&B for two nights. Cost to us $240 for the B&B. Mark Boberg paid the water pump bill direct to the garage on completion of work. The mechanic at the garage was scathing about the lack of maintenance on the van.

In summary:

We had an awesome trip in NZ and were able to put some of the minor inconveniences and defects to one side. However, the condition of the wheel and tyres were potentially life threatening.

Our thoughts on Adventure Vans:

Amateurish small players in the rental scene with no customer care. Mark Boberg is deceitful, dishonest, dishonourable and a charlatan.

Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017