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Ex-demo FH12 is fresh as a daisy Not quite new but a whole lot cheaper. This year-old ex-demo Volvo

6th May 2004, Page 70
6th May 2004
Page 70
Page 71
Page 70, 6th May 2004 — Ex-demo FH12 is fresh as a daisy Not quite new but a whole lot cheaper. This year-old ex-demo Volvo
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FH12 6x2 Globetrotter seems to be a good deal...

It's not often you get the chance to snap up a tractive unit that's barely pulled a trailer but has 105,000km on the clock. But that's what Volvo Truck and Bus South is offering at its Coventry used truck centre.

The firm snapped up the chance of taking on the FH12 420 6x2 Globetrotter from Volvo's Warwick HQ demonstrator fleet; it's now taking pride of place outside the Coventry sales centre. The truck, registered in March 2003, has 104,919km on the clock and really is in mint condition. Owen Green, used truck

sales manager, says it has mostly been used as a show truck, although it has spent some time out with fleets on service trials. In any case the back of the tractor is absolutely pristine with no paint chips or scratches and a sliding fifth wheel that looks unsullied by

towing any semis. The catwalk is almost unmarked and the metallic paintwork on the cab is equally well preserved, with no sign of stone chips, and only a few squashed insects marring the good-as-new paintwork.

The Alcoa alloys look factory fresh and the Michelin Energy tyres look to have plenty of miles left in them.

The cab's Comfort spec includes air-con in a long list of home-from-home comforts.The cab layout is good, and although it doesn't have a flat floor the engine hump in the middle is wide enough that it's really like a step into the bunk. Little wear

The driver's seat is in good condition aside from a few marks on the cloth, probably from eager show-going punters, and a couple of scratches on the seat back. Sit in it, however, and you are at the well laid-out controls of a good driver's wagon. Controls are within easy reach, and there's little sign of wear or paint chipping on any of the stalks or knobs. We did notice some signs of use on the ashtray, but there were no cigarette burns anywhere. Both the driver's and passenger's windows are fitted with air deflectors, while there's also an external visor above the wind screen, as well as a blind-spot mirror

fitted in-front of the passenger's seat for spotting those lemming-like cyclists.

A pull-out locking drawer below the bunk provides some secure storage, while there's another locking cabinet at the end of the bunk on the passenger's side. Storage nets are at either end of the bunk, as are reading lights; the night heater controls are on the back wall. There are storage bins above the windscreen and the second bunk, it provides another large storage area.

The bottom bunk does have some marks on the cloth, but nothing more than surface blemishes. And in a move which might not suit smokers, but could save a life in the event of a fire, the cab has a smoke alarm, which is now fitted as standard to these cabs. Gift horse

The unit is priced at £49,950 and comes with the remainder of the two-year factory warranty and Volvo's Duo 500 two-year maintenance package.

It's hard to find a used value for this truck as it's too new to feature in either CAP's Red Book or Glass's Guide,but experts at Glass's say a truck of this age which had been doing regular work would be valued at about £48,500. For only fl,450 more than that you're buying a truck which hasn't worked too h and has been maintained by Volvo's HQ — t sounds like a bargain to us. •