Advice for buying start-up tipper

[Djvicke1]

I'm looking to buy a transit tipper but don't have a lot to spend. I'm not bothered about how it looks just that its got a few years left in it and will do the job.

 

I know you can't expect much for under 5-6k but reputable garages and dealerships don't tend to sell anything under 8-10k, so it ends up being a case of "who to trust" on places like 'treebay'.

 

Just wondering if anyone has advice on buying used tippers? What to ask about etc? Or should I just limp along for a while until I have more to spend?

[Steve Bullman]

I spent under 4k on my first tipper. You can get something half decent for that money if you are lucky. I had a few issues with mine, but thats what you get when you buy second hand. I actually think buying new is cheaper in the long run.

[Djvicke1]

Thanks Steve, there must be a few good ones out there, but taking the time etc to find one I agree that new or at least from somewhere where you've got some kind of re-course is best in the long run.

[TIMON]

If it's a start up tipper, you may want to look at the old shape LDV. You can still get 54 plate ones that aren't too bad. (If you get 2-3 years out of one and establish your business you're doing well) They carry more weight (legally) than a transit and parts are more often cheaper to buy and run Same Duratorq engine as the tranny on later models.

Even transits that are complete bangers seem to fetch stupid money.

Also this is the most expensive time of year to buy a 3.5t tipper all the "seasonal" teams are starting up round about now and they are all looking for trucks.

 

 

Timon.

[Brett]

I would strongly recommend not buying any van that belonged to a tree surgeon.

[THE88MAN]

I bought a nissan cabstar 7 years ago for 3k,it cost me £700 to get it straight,it's cost me nearly a grand on some mot''s and hardly anything on others,it's done 200k now and still going strong,it'll cost you the same IMO if you patch up an old one or finance a new one

[benedmonds]

I bought a nissan cabstar 7 years ago for 3k,it cost me £700 to get it straight,it's cost me nearly a grand on some mot''s and hardly anything on others,it's done 200k now and still going strong,it'll cost you the same IMO if you patch up an old one or finance a new one

 

I can't believe people think financing a new truck can be similar financially... There maybe other benefits, like image and reliability..

 

Thee88man spent around £10K in 7 years. so approx £1,500 a year

 

*FINANCE LEASE EXAMPLE from ebay:

Initial of £4,121.28 + VAT, followed by 59 monthly rentals of £343.44 + VAT, commencing month 2, with final monthly payment of £6,343.44 + VAT

 

Works out without servicing at over £6,000 a year, servicing will be less but still £400 or £500 a year.

 

Admittedly after 5 years you will have an asset worth £6K or £7k but that still works out at costs of over £5000 a year..

[josharb87]

But that extra 3.5k is only a few days work for a decent team, or, a few days down time for breakdowns, repairs, MOT test, re-test.

[Steve Bullman]

I can't believe people think financing a new truck can be similar financially... There maybe other benefits, like image and reliability..

 

 

 

Thee88man spent around £10K in 7 years. so approx £1,500 a year

 

 

 

*FINANCE LEASE EXAMPLE from ebay:

 

Initial of £4,121.28 + VAT, followed by 59 monthly rentals of £343.44 + VAT, commencing month 2, with final monthly payment of £6,343.44 + VAT

 

 

 

Works out without servicing at over £6,000 a year, servicing will be less but still £400 or £500 a year.

 

 

 

Admittedly after 5 years you will have an asset worth £6K or £7k but that still works out at costs of over £5000 a year..

 

 

Factor in downtime. The money I lost through having to cancel work due to vehicle breakdowns was far more than the cost of repairs itself. Having a reliable vehicle counts for a lot

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

[Mick Dempsey]

5k will, if you're careful, and maybe a bit lucky, get you a decent enough tipper to get started.