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ESSENTIAL TIPS BEFORE YOU START TO HAGGLE • Check the
Page 41
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bodywork and lyres. Write down the cost of any potential work. This can be used as leverage.
• Assess the condition and state inside the cab. Chances are it'll have been valeted, but even a good clean won't disguise abuse to the seat or any unpleasant smells.
• Get the cab up and give the engine a decent once-over for new parts and any oil or diesel residue or condensation. A clean engine is OK, but not steam-cleaned.
• Start it up and check for exhaust smoke. A little to begin with is OK, but once it's warm, there shouldn't be any smoke emitted. If there is, the engine has a problem.
• Road test it. Try different roads, and accelerate/ brake out of your comfort zone. Use air-con, cruise control and any other gadgets.
• Make sure the V5C [valid since 1 January 20041 corresponds with the person/dealer selling it.
Thieves love trucks to turn a quick profit; you may end up losing it without compensation if it has been stolen.
• Establish the vehicle's worth in your mind. Decide if it's worth having or it needs too much work. If it's the latter, walk away and look somewhere else.
• Talk to the seller and see what he's like. You'll soon know if you can strike a chord with him.
• Don't get carried away. Establish the price you think you can get away with, the price you really want, and the price you're willing to accept as a maximum, • If you're at auction, the above pricing rules are more important. If the truck is one of a job-lot, bid on the first ones going through, or, if interest has waned, the latter ones. Look to see who you are bidding against. If it's a grizzled auction veteran, the chances are they'll own the truck and want a few extra pounds by hiking you up.