The Dispatch | Expert | Scudo Hub

I think the original one was an 096 70ah 650cca so anything that spec or above is OK depending on the output from your alternator

I realize smaller, lighter and geared differently also in this case fitted with (Factory) Bosch pump rather than the vans Lucus/Delphi............

Our 306 on last trip in it to the Med (Costa Brava) we just so happened to go Via the old Grand Prix street circuit/buildings at Reims ............
It just meant that so much was on National route (A roads) our speed was usually 50-55 mph and 60-65mph on dual carriageway..........

I was in something of disbelief (what with holiday sh** etc) when fuelling up just outside of Clermont-Ferrand we had returnd 57MPG...................

The pug's fitted with a DW8  and at the time had about 178,000mls on her .............

We'd fueled up in Adinkerke, Belgium (Fags etc inc) covered about IIRC 500mls and put in about 39 ltrs .....
I Remember having way over a quarter tank still showing before hand and at that rate would have managed 700 miles to the tank............

But from there on the (A75) Motorway (hilly) a Momentous storm {South}  and all the way back we'd  returned to the usual 49 ..50 mpg  .............

Even to this day (and on retirement duties) with over 211,000 it still manages about 600 miles to a tank....
I'm Happy with that .... Very............
(This is where Van kicks in not having to find accommodation or incur cost on route and convenience of stopping when tired or a cuppa)

Although to be fair on the first trip we took 306 to Spain  to visit Her father. (Atlantic coast then med..... 4,500 miles in just shy of 4 weeks).........
It did so much better than the fuel budget prediction.. We were able to have an extra W/end of accommodation and still buy Some extra Sh** at Adinkerke on way home
{In one 12 month period we did 3 Spanish trips [Costa Brava] with it }

I only fitted new sills too mine as I was quoted £200 supplied and fitted with a squirt of body schutz to cover them.............
As I didn't know how much chasing was needing to be done for good metal etc ............
If youv'e had them patched I'd say youv'e no rush and see how solid nearer next MOT .............
I lived in E. Sussex for nigh on 15 years before returning back up here and my usual service bill about 10.. 12 yrs ago would have been close to half as much again .......
So I'd be inclined to get half decent pattern parts {most are Pattern} and see if your man that did your welding is interested in fitting them for you............

These vans are usually fairly rot free for their ages although seen a few with the blistering sills and nearly always older than mine hence the standing about theory.....
I was surprised at the sills but wonder if drainage holes were blocked or non existant as it was mentioned  they didn't recall seeing any

Sounds like your suffering some of the issues Ive come across ............
Odomiter : Try a replacement bulb or ignore........ (The binnicle quality is somewhat poor on these)
Tyres : Ive been using the equivilent MPV rated tyres as my Vans been fitted with 15" Alloys over the original 14's
Sills: I suffered blistering on mine which I originally thought was down to standing about a lot doing very little and as you pointed out was under the sealent near the rearmost part...........
When showen what was happening I opted to fit New sills..........
To be informed it appeared to be coming from the inside out........
(Check for water ingress and getting down into sill)

As for notchy steering that coul be as simple as a new belt or fluid change.......... but also sounds a bit like a weak pump (Good used out breakers would do)

And ... breathe .. !

Always a weight off when you get through the MOT!