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Secrets of the 7.5-tonne market exposed

6th October 2005, Page 70
6th October 2005
Page 70
Page 71
Page 70, 6th October 2005 — Secrets of the 7.5-tonne market exposed
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

This month CM is after a no-frills 75-tonne box van for urban

delivery work to get us started in the commercial world.

The first step on the big boys' ladder for most operators (well a cab-based vehicle anyway) tends to be a 7.5-tonner. And why not — it's big, practical, and in most cases provides enough carrying weight to avoid stepping up to the next weight division, ie an 18-tonner.

As well as having decent manoeuvrability it also doesn't require an HGV license if you qualified before 1997.

The category has produced some outstanding vehicles in recent years, increasing competition and advancing the driving experience to another level. But that's not to say there aren't plenty of good examples on second-hand market.

Possibilities

What we're looking for is a box van with day cab, around 150hp, late year (2002 registered 02 or 52 plate) starting off with a budget of £9,000.

Time to go undercover.

Initial scanning produced lots of possibilities, but ringing round saw our guide price was slightly off the mark — these are popular machines after all — so we raised our budget. A 2002(02) MAN is spotted with low-mileage (according to the dealer).They're asking £10,950 but it comes with one previous owner (a contract-hire firm) and a vast 24ft box. We're told it's an excellent example and well cared for — sounds tempting.

Next up is a Daf LF45-150 fitted with 20ft GRP box body and aluminium column tail-lift.

It's a 2001 (51) plate and they're asking £11,500; mileage is 200,000 miles. In its previous life it delivered white goods for a national chain on contract hire and is said to be clean throughout. Strengthening the case is the fitment of a rear parking sensor and security shutters (to stop people nicking those washing machines). Despite this the price is slightly off-putting.

It's proving hard to get an exact match and we fancy something with a three-pointed star.The Mercedes Atego is a reliable steed and a 2001(01) example is found with 200,000 miles on the clock.

So far so good. hut it comes in brown which may explain its low £7,500 asking price.

A 17ft body provides ample space and its previous role was for a delivery company.

This is more like it, and proves that dealers vary wildly when it comes to prices. Never be afraid to tell a dealer of cheaper examples elsewhere, shifting volumes is just as important to them as getting a decent price.

Single owner

It's starting to get a hit thin on the ground until we spot a gaggle of Iva° 75E17s with low mileage (all below 100,000 miles) complete with tail-lifts and a single-owner history. We lean in closer. Could the price make this just what we're looking for?

They offer a 90,000-mile example for £12,000.

Not so tempting, though we think the dealer may want to shift them, and we're told that it comes with a thorough inspection. •

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