Ex-police car - any good?

[nullogik]

I was considering getting a used police car at an auction as I have a very low budget.

I was wondering what people's opinions were about buying such a car? Has anyone bought an ex-police car, what was it like?

I know they come in white, colour isn't a problem when you're on a low budget and nor are a few screw holes in the dash. I heard that they're well serviced and regularly maintained and these vehicles are very new.

Welcome any comments.

Thanks in advance.

[ringers]

Having driven a few police cars, I would suggest you steer well clear.

You have to consider the role of the vehicle. They provide transport to police officers, at my station there are twelve to fourteen PC's a shift. 5 shifts this equates to at least 60 users at any one time, given the turn over of PC's on shifts I would suggest that By the time it is 3 years old it will have had over a hundred drivers.
The only thing those hundred drivers will have in common is that they have all revved the B#LL#X off it.
The vehicle will be needed to go to emergency jobs at high speed in low gear, with very heavy braking. On lots of short journeys(particularly the city based one's). They will have leapt speed humps at speeds you would get flashed by cameras at.
None of the drivers care about the vehicles.
They will have had People with all sorts of contagious diseases in the back, Would you want your kids to sit in the seats used the week before by prostitutes and drug addicts.
The Mechanics in our force are not the best, if they were they would be working some where else. So regular servicing is not all it's cracked up to be.
All the scumbags in the area will know the number plate and will know that it's an ex cop car.

Spend a bit extra and get a decent motor

[vansboy]

Ex Police vehicles are both GOOD & BAD buys!! I've sold dozens!!

The info above is pretty accurate, to a degree, if you were thinking of general duty patrol cars & to a lesser degree, traffic cars.

As you mentioned, many are white (a colour which is to be the next silver) & plenty are now silver (soon to become the next white!!) as plenty of forces, decided that the metalic paintwork would have a better residua value. Unfortunatly, it's proving to be just as bad, particularly following 'quick' paintwork repairs.

However, if you move up the ranks to the standard spec vehicles, as used by CID & in some cases, civillian employed staff, they will be of a better quality. They won't have had quite so many shifts, using them & not raced around as much either.

You do need to pay attention to interior, not just dash damage, look for unpleasent stains/smells in the rear, where arrested people might not have taken too kindly, to being transported!!

The next better selection, will be National Crime Squad stock. Expect to see some verrrrry desirable machinery here, sometimes, all as covert as a standard car, but not run of the mill models.

The best, by far, are termed 'company cars'. You can find some really nice examples, here. Some used as senior officers transport & again, quality brands, too.

There is also the Special Escort Group, for, as the name implies, escorting the posh folk, of this country, dignitaries & such like. The registration numbers are identified as X??? SEG, for instance, so you'll know onei you see one.

& one further word on maintainence, don't be too convinced on this one - all the forces have budgets to keep to - & reduce!!

Need any more info - just ask!

VB

[balsingh]

The bigger ex-police cars have are likely to have spent more time on motorways so they are a better buy as there is less wear to the engine from motorway driving. The typical motorway car is usually a Vectra or Omega V6.

[ben500]

The bigger ex-police cars have are likely to have spent more time on motorways so they are a better buy as there is less wear to the engine from motorway driving. The typical motorway car is usually a Vectra or Omega V6.
True but they can also have mods which the insurance company may well load the poilicy for.

[nullogik]

Thanks to all who replied.

It seems like the best cars to go for are those used by the "higher ranking" officers ie. CID rather than Panda cars and that I should also follow my nose as well as my eyes!

I'll definitly keep my eyes peeled for "SEG" cars, as these would seem to be the best maintained because of the nature of their jobs and are less likely to be hacked around.

Does anyone know of any auctions that have "SEG" or "CID" cars that pass through, especially in or around the London area?

Also would insurance for an ex-cop car, cost more than the equivalent car if it had not been used by the police?

[vikingaero]

I've been in the back of a Police car.:A And I can say that I've never seen such damage and variety of stains. :eek: I asked the officer up front if his dog had chewed the door pull and he replied that it was a prisoner whizzed up on heroin.

[dnc1781]

See:
http://www.woma.co.uk/police.php

[katiekittykat]

I saw one for sale and my dad told me to steer well clear (he is a fire officer quite high up) he said they are well looked after maintanance wise, but are ragged, plus will have loads of holes in from where siren, radio etc was.

[steveo3002]

the thing is if you are not fussy about having a trendy type car theres loads of cheap reasonble milage cars that would give good service for cheap

[Cumbrian Male]

Get yourself an ex traffic Volvo v70.

They are supplied with uprated breaks and suspension from the factory, so are not modified they are police spec. from the factory.

If you are worried about insurance then there are good deals via Volvo Owners Club (http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/). The link goes to the forum home page, have a browse and ask about for more views and info.

[katiekittykat]

By the sounds of things i think that Volvo may be out of his budget?

[tali]

there are loads of used car bargains - you dont need to go down the ex -police car route , hunt around and you'll get same car for just a few quid more with proper spec and decent colour

[Happychappy]

Avoid them like the plague, you dont get many without damage to all the corners as they can't reverse without hitting police station walls and colleagues cars. Really basic models, tired and unloved, just like the drivers :rolleyes:

One careful owner the Chief Constable but any of 2000 + brain deads driving them, 0 - 100 in as fast as a size 12 can push down, disgusting interiors, usual holes for aerials, radios, etc AVOID.

Go for a reps car like Boots the Chemist, the reps look after their cars as the image in turnning up at a chemist in a crappy car doesnt go with selling drugs, where as in reality most people selling drugs turn up in crappy cars :D

[robstoff]

Also beware, a friend of mine who's dad was a traffic cop, said that the reverse gear is knackered. Why? Well as they fly down the motorway at 100 mph+ and miss the accident site they have to reverse back up the hard shoulder long distances, and the co driver has to physically hold the gear lever in reverse to stop it popping out!!!

Rob.

[goldspanners]

go for a car a bit older with full dealer service history,the police cars may look ok from the outside but when you get in there its a whole different story.
check for ex military auctions and hire fleet auctions also.

[custardy]

ive had ex police vectras & omegas and had no real issues with them.
one vectra even had the blue grill lights fitted ;)

[iluvmylexus]

have had one or two in the past, the panda cars are usually knackered
however a focus i bought about a year ago not realising, was absolutely fine, even the alloy wheels were in good order,
have a look but remember caveat emptor........buyer beware

[harveybobbles]

By the sounds of things i think that Volvo may be out of his budget?

There are lots of companies who specialise in buying and selling ex Police cars.

Only thing with X PC stuff is: High power, low spec...

Just found this on autotrader...

2004 VOLVO V70 T5 SE Sport 5dr Estate

Price:
£4,495

ono




Features:



143,000 miles
Manual
White
Petrol
Estate
2401 cc


Full Description:

Glossary of Terms (http://www.autotrader.co.uk/common/ola/help/carshelp.jsp#glossaryterms)

Manual, 143,000 miles, long mot and tax ex police no holes inside or out no marks anywhere facelift model full service history 250 bhp alloys rev sensors drives mint motorway miles ew em dual air con no faults at all no dissapointments. rear v70r high level tailgate spoiler. £4,495. ono


S'pose its a cheap, fast, big estate car.

Handy for sitting in the lane 3 of any motorway at 70 too lol

[iluvmylexus]

There are lots of companies who specialise in buying and selling ex Police cars.

Only thing with X PC stuff is: High power, low spec...

Just found this on autotrader...

2004 VOLVO V70 T5 SE Sport 5dr Estate

Price:
£4,495

ono




Features:


143,000 miles
Manual
White
Petrol
Estate
2401 cc

Full Description:

Glossary of Terms (http://www.autotrader.co.uk/common/ola/help/carshelp.jsp#glossaryterms)

Manual, 143,000 miles, long mot and tax ex police no holes inside or out no marks anywhere facelift model full service history 250 bhp alloys rev sensors drives mint motorway miles ew em dual air con no faults at all no dissapointments. rear v70r high level tailgate spoiler. £4,495. ono


S'pose its a cheap, fast, big estate car.

Handy for sitting in the lane 3 of any motorway at 70 too lol

especially if you fit blue bulbs in the headlights lol:T

[harveybobbles]

LOL!

They get driven by professionals, but get tw4tted about a lot too lol

[SPANIEL36]

I've been in the back of a Police car.:A


yeah so have i!!

in past experience i'd stay well clear ofthem. we went to a specialist ex-police car dealer in birmingham in the hope of buying an omega, when we got there it had a massive oil leak, the exhaust was knackered and the engine was rattling its betty hollocks off ...and this was one of the hi-spek cars they had to offer!

[gilbert and sullivan]

I've had 2 ex police cars over the years. A 81 sierra 2.0 gl in white...no problems at all.

And one of best ever cars 91 Rover 827 manual (rare as hens teeth) in blue, this had been a class one driver training car and was in the most incredible condition, i will not say how fast it could go, but could still hold its own now.

Both of these were in superb condition with no faults.

The rover came with a service print out (service history to die for) and thats the sort of one off i'd be looking for.

Strangely enough plod don't fit any cheap and cheeful parts eg. brakes/tyres to their cars.

IMO these can be a good buy but only if your keeping it for a few years as many people are prejudiced against them as you are already reading.

[Taff1]

I bought a 1998 (S Reg) Mondeo estate that was used by the health service as a paramedic response vehicle. Now owned it for 15 months and the only thing I have done is change the oil and put two new tyres on it.
Cost me £450 from the local auctions. Can not fault the value for money.

There are a few marks on the body work but you have to be up close to see them.

I would suggest whether it is an ex service car or not the best thing to do is give it a thorough looking over and listen to the engine for signs of knocking or plumes of smoke from the exhaust. Happy hunting

[hewhoisnotintheknow]

serviced and ragged to death!

[mikey72]

I bought a 1998 (S Reg) Mondeo estate that was used by the health service as a paramedic response vehicle. Now owned it for 15 months and the only thing I have done is change the oil and put two new tyres on it.
Cost me £450 from the local auctions. Can not fault the value for money.

There are a few marks on the body work but you have to be up close to see them.

I would suggest whether it is an ex service car or not the best thing to do is give it a thorough looking over and listen to the engine for signs of knocking or plumes of smoke from the exhaust. Happy hunting

Wouldn't touch ex emergency vehicles.
Brother was a paramedic, they broke a piston in an engine on an ambulance, the garage just swopped out the parts needed with one due to go off to auction later on, so the maintenance may not be quite as good as you would expect.

[big gay kirk]

I had an ex cid Mk2 escort.... blue... badged as a 1300, but had a 1600 pinto fitted.... also had an escort van back axle, and an escort sport gearbox.... but a 1300 L interior.... ran it for six years, with no problems until someone shoved a Peugeot 205 into the side of it.....

[Pew Pew Pew Lasers!]

I wouldn't touch one with a bargepole. Sat in the station car park for an hour or two, then a call comes in, blue lights, cold engine, ragged to death. Up kerbs, over speed bumps at speed - forget it. They're sheds, and I wouldn't say they were particularly well maintained either.

[markelock]

my dad (passed away) was a traffic officer and said he wouldn't buy one. this was in the days of the senator though. used to love those cars...

[Chippy Minton]

Get yourself an ex traffic Volvo v70.

They are supplied with uprated breaks and suspension from the factory, so are not modified they are police spec. from the factory.



No bog standard same as supplied to jo-public. The only manufacturer to build a police spec factory order is BMW.

[Chippy Minton]

The bigger ex-police cars have are likely to have spent more time on motorways so they are a better buy as there is less wear to the engine from motorway driving. The typical motorway car is usually a Vectra or Omega V6.


Yeah right most motorway units use tpac. You'll be lucky to find one with one of its original panels still fitted. ie All subject to accident damage.

[a_sav]

Brother had a Passat on the Y plat never had a ny problems.. interesting the holes

[flang]

I would never buy anything that SCUM have once owned!

[nomoneytoday]

I would never buy anything that SCUM have once owned!

Since the Police are paid for by the public purse, that means you would partially own it too :p

[scotsman4th]

I've had a couple of ex police 827's. 1 was a chief inspectors (apparently) with air con and hadnt been butchered.
A M8 had an Omega armed response one, complete with room to lock 2 pistols in the storage between the front seets and kevlar still in the cavity of the rear wing's.

[rev_henry]

I had an ex cid Mk2 escort.... blue... badged as a 1300, but had a 1600 pinto fitted.... also had an escort van back axle, and an escort sport gearbox.... but a 1300 L interior.... ran it for six years, with no problems until someone shoved a Peugeot 205 into the side of it.....
That's what police cars tend to be don't they? The biggest/fastest engine with the cheapest spec? So they're often not your standard civilian spec that you could buy new yourself.

[tomstickland]

Sounds ideal to me. Fastest and with none of the pointless tat.

[Happychappy]

I've had 2 ex police cars over the years. A 81 sierra 2.0 gl in white...no problems at all.

And one of best ever cars 91 Rover 827 manual (rare as hens teeth) in blue, this had been a class one driver training car and was in the most incredible condition, i will not say how fast it could go, but could still hold its own now.

Both of these were in superb condition with no faults.

The rover came with a service print out (service history to die for) and thats the sort of one off i'd be looking for.

Strangely enough plod don't fit any cheap and cheeful parts eg. brakes/tyres to their cars.

IMO these can be a good buy but only if your keeping it for a few years as many people are prejudiced against them as you are already reading.


Was the Rover by any chance from a midlands force just north of leicester ?

[Happychappy]

I would never buy anything that SCUM have once owned!

So how do you get rid of your cars ? surely you can share your secret with all the other scum :rolleyes:

[custardy]

So how do you get rid of your cars ? surely you can share your secret with all the other scum :rolleyes:

to be fair with the avatar & attitude he's filling the stereotype nicely ;)

[Ice Diesel]

I have just bought an 03 plate Focus which was first registered to Nottingham Police Force, although I have only had it just over a week I think its a brilliant little car! Its a 1.8TDDi with 110k on the clock but runs like a dream and so far I have got 90 miles on quarter of a tank. Several people I have spoken to have said ex-police cars are good and I would probably buy another. The dash was a bit butchered and it had the holes in the roof where the aerials were but its all been sealed and doesnt leak! Overall I would say if you dont mind the miles then seriously consider one as the history is quite good!

[lincroft1710]

Avoid 1974 Dodges, even if they do have cop motors, cop suspension, cop shocks, cop tyres, they will literally fall apart and body panels will drop off.

[Chippy Minton]

Overall I would say if you dont mind the miles then seriously consider one as the history is quite good!

All have a history and very little of it is service. I hope you don't regret your purchase newbie.;)

[Happychappy]

I have just bought an 03 plate Focus which was first registered to Nottingham Police Force, although I have only had it just over a week I think its a brilliant little car! Its a 1.8TDDi with 110k on the clock but runs like a dream and so far I have got 90 miles on quarter of a tank. Several people I have spoken to have said ex-police cars are good and I would probably buy another. The dash was a bit butchered and it had the holes in the roof where the aerials were but its all been sealed and doesnt leak! Overall I would say if you dont mind the miles then seriously consider one as the history is quite good!


If you ring Vensons, they are the police workshop contractor who serviced your car, they may let you have the complete history right down to every last bulb they fitted, ask for the workshop foreman and explain you have bought the car. They are based at Beeston, Nottingham.

[vansboy]

they are the police workshop contractor who serviced your car, they may let you have the complete history right down to every last bulb they fitted, .

But depending on the force & the operational duties of the vehicle you buy, don't be surprised if information IS NOT forthcoming,

They sometimes choose to keep this history known only to themselves.

VB

[BikerEd]

I have no experience of ex-police cars but lots of experience of ex-police bikes. The single biggest issue is the way the vehicle's electrical system is hacked about for the extra equipment that is fitted. Speed recording equipment, for example, means that the vehicle's speed sensor is tapped into - and if/when these connectors go wrong it can take out the regular speedo. That happened to an ex-police Honda I rode. Generally the wiring used by the specialist conversion companies who do the conversions for the police are not of the same standard as that used by the original manufacturer. As a consequence the extra wiring will degrade and start causing problems long before the vehicle has reached its end of life.

In short, unless you know what you are getting into stay well clear as the electrical gremlins will start to cause havoc once the vehicle gets to five years or older.

[vansboy]

I have no experience of ex-police cars but lots of experience of ex-police bikes. The single biggest issue is the way the vehicle's electrical system is hacked about for the extra equipment that is fitted. Speed recording equipment, for example, means that the vehicle's speed sensor is tapped into - and if/when these connectors go wrong it can take out the regular speedo. That happened to an ex-police Honda I rode. Generally the wiring used by the specialist conversion companies who do the conversions for the police are not of the same standard as that used by the original manufacturer. As a consequence the extra wiring will degrade and start causing problems long before the vehicle has reached its end of life.

In short, unless you know what you are getting into stay well clear as the electrical gremlins will start to cause havoc once the vehicle gets to five years or older.


The best place to buy Police bikes is from http://www.forcemotorcyles.com (http://www.forcemotorcyles.com/) if you talk to Nick, there, he'll put you in the riding seat of a good machine!

You'll not get me on one though!!

VB

[BikerEd]

The best place to buy Police bikes is from http://www.forcemotorcyles.com (http://www.forcemotorcyles.com/)

You'll not get me on one though!!

You'll not get me on one of their machines either. Would rather buy from anywhere but there...

[elektra-2007]

we brought ex police car high up speck, was a rover in 2000, was a brilliant car, well looked after, the only thing was insurance was huge my ex had 9yrs no claims and we still had to pay over £1000 a year. then a mechanic told us it hyad a chip in it to make it go faster, we of course knew it went fast on the motorway just presumed it was normal! Thother draw back was he kept being pulled up at night coming home from work, not for speeding but because the police recognised the reg...would i buy one again???? yes at the right price...the car is still going now and its a 'p' reg

[vansboy]

You'll not get me on one of their machines either. Would rather buy from anywhere but there...

Why do you say that, Ed?

I've only heard good stuff about Force, I've never had any reason to think otherwise.

VB

[tewfik]

A friend of mine used to have an ex-Police Vauxhall Omega, a traffic car. It was quite a machine, went like clockwork and even had a trick gearbox for use in high speed pursuits.

[harveybobbles]

You mean a "sport" button that all auto's have...?

[Happychappy]

A friend of mine used to have an ex-Police Vauxhall Omega, a traffic car. It was quite a machine, went like clockwork and even had a trick gearbox for use in high speed pursuits.

The gearbox is bog standard, so are the engines. The only parts uprated are the brakes and suspension, also the interior has overcloths to protect from wear. Apart from that nothing else, just an urban myth of super toys fitted to police cars.

Most police vehicles delivered are now turn key and come ready to go with all the radio, ANPR, Cleartone equipment fitted or wired to slot straight in. The only thing forces now fix on the vehicle is the Force Crest.

[Chippy Minton]

The only parts uprated are the brakes and suspension.


Sorry, but even they are bog standard.

[Happychappy]

Sorry, but even they are bog standard.

Chippy, Not on the traffic vehicles, they put in stronger springs for the load the vehciles carry, most traffic car operate at almost maximum load, the brake pads are uprated for the continual heavy loads and higher speeds. Back in the 80's early 90's the Rovers had a type of rally designed brake pad, purely to counter the wear factor.

Vauxhall have a special operations section at Millbrook who design the Vauxhall police vehicles which are bog standard taken from the production line but uprated in certain electics for the fitting of radio, etc brakes and suspension.

[Chippy Minton]

Back in the 80's early 90's the Rovers had a type of rally designed brake pad, purely to counter the wear factor.

That would be why the Rovers suffered from brake fade and following a prusuit the pads would be completely burnt out, would it?

With the R32, Scooby and ST Focus stock parts are good enough.

[turboCorsa]

My mate had a Sierra which was tuned up but best of all it had 2 fuel tanks! I guess to chase the crims until they stopped running out of fuel!

[Happychappy]

That would be why the Rovers suffered from brake fade and following a prusuit the pads would be completely burnt out, would it?

With the R32, Scooby and ST Focus stock parts are good enough.

The Rover SD1 was the first stock police vehicle which suffered horrendous brake fade, the vehicle was tested at MIRA in the early 80's and had the braking system uprated, it really didn't do a lot, a slight improvement until they found the major cause to be the brake fluid boiling up and causing a type of vapour lock.

Fortunately by then, the Senator and Granada had taken over. The current Evo, Subaru and goochy cars are all stock parts as they can take the drive it like you stole it style of driving :rolleyes: