1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160 
Buying used: What are my choices?
Page 67
Page 68
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Where to go, what to look for when you get there.
Commercial Motor takes you through the second-hand buying proces
The channels for picking up second-hand commercial vehicles are pretty straightforward. Starting from the top, they are forecourt dealerships, auction houses, classified, internet, private adverts and word of mouth,with the first two listed using the rest as a gateway to the forecourt or auction.
Dealerships come in three types:manufacturer-owned franchises: independent franchises:or pure independents.Auctions work within their own network of sale sites and source their stock from finance houses and major fleet customers.
1
Manufacturer-owned used dealerships
In theory,the cream of what is on offer will be found at these sites. Vehicles on the forecourt are likely lobe younger,in better condition and have a service history. They will normally he the ones offering low-rate finance packages and deals on specific vehicles they have sold in mass volumes when new:They are also more likely to offer decent three or six-month insurance-backed warranties.
For all this they are likely to be the most expensive, but you do get a better chance of picking up something reliable. Extras, such a 24/7 aftermarket servicing package. could swing your decision.
On the down side, you will probably pay more and if you are looking for something a little different you might come up short.Her it's mainly bread and butter stuff.
Independent-owned franchised used dealerships
Much like the first but with subtle difference: Stock will be mainstream, but independent dealerships tend to be hungrier and will find the more unusual if you are willing to pay.They will offer finance deals and servicing, but their customer base is more likely to be spread across the country.
You won't pay as much for an identical vehicle and the stock won't be as centrally sourced. There are more likely to be desirable owner-driver products as well as traditional stuff.
Independent dealers
Independents are competitive and will go that extra mile to get your custom, hut you will need to know something about the second-hand market to avoid picking up a dud. If the deal seems too good to believe then, the chances are, it is.
Many indie dealers know the trucking industry inside out and will specialise.They pride themselves on repeat custom and will source from just about anywhere to get the best for their customer.