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Factors for tractors
Page 76
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The shortage of neariy-new tractor units is boosting demand for older models — if they have the right spec. Steve Banner reports.
WITH LATE-MODEL tractor units in short supply,1999 and 2000 models are increasingly popular says Dave Higgs of Kidderminster-based independent dealership DH Commercials.
They're not so old that they're likely to suffer reliability problems, assuming they've been regularly maintained. Nor are drivers likely to react too badly to them if the specifications are right.
Higgs cites two examples he has handled recently — a £17,500 2000reg Mercedes-Benz Actros 2543 6x2 with 400.000km; and a £14,750 1999 Scania R124 6x2 with 600,000km.The MEM was equipped with a full air kit, twin tanks, and a walnut dashboard; the Scannie boasted a full air kit and Alcoa alloy wheels.
"Financing vehicles of this age isn't usually a problem," Higgs observes."What's more, they're good value for money bearing in mind that the nearest equivalent brand-new model would cost you more like £50,000."
Allan Hilton, used vehicle salesman at Kings Lynn, dealership Ford & Slater Da£ agrees that five to six-year-old tractor units sell well. "T,V, and W-plated 95XFs priced at up to 120,000 are popular provided that they're clean and tidy with not too high a mileage recorded," he says. "Their mileage should match their age."
Higgs points out that specitica tion also matters when it comes to selling fridge trailers. Over the past five months he's sold 110 examples to exporters.They date back to the early 1990s ;many came from supermarket fleets.
"So far as exporters are concerned they've got to be Schmitz or Lamberet,13.6m long, and fitted with Thermo King fridge units and rear barn doors," he says."Anything that doesn't match this requirement will fetch £3,000 to £4,000 less."
Piison vans are a speciality: "We've had a number of Iveco Cargo 75E15 and 100E15 eight and 10-cell vehicles with 19ft and 241t bodies arrive.They're ideal for motorhome conversions."