Minibus private hire query, bear with me.

Bart

Hi, I found the Hyundai i800 out classes and out performs the Vito. The i800 is well worth a look £19495 otr or I saw one in Autotrader for £14000 The "boot" is BIG with all eight seats useable, powerful 2.5 turbo diesel, mood lighting ( handy for the children to read at night), ALL eight seats recline, six opening windows, very easy clean seats ( my son was sick and was just wiped off the seat no problem), aircon front and rear, heating front and rear. See how the Vito compares. Then there is the comfort and quiet. All this and returning just over 42mpg on a mixed run of 300 miles.

mrbadexample

It doesn't need an operators' licence.
It doesn't need a tachograph.
You require category B on your licence to drive it.
The CPC test is not required.
I don't think it needs a speed limiter, but haven't checked.

goldspanners

avoid the vito at all costs,its a very poor vehicle considering how well it holds its money,i really dont understand how they hold money so well.
if i was you i would look more at the new shape transit or the vivaro/trafic/primastar options. very nice inside comfortable,plenty of space and powerful with good fuel economy.

regarding the private hire thing, to make the whole thing viable, ie extra insurance,tests and checks i would think the vehicle would need to be doing a bit more than just the odd airport run when its suits you. to make it worth your while the vehicle would need to be working on at least a part time basis,maybe 3 or 4 good hires per week.
if i were you i would buy the best i could afford and just look after it,get it serviced well and remember a good second hand vehicle like this will hold good money when you come to sell it on.

BUT KEEP AWAY FROM THE VITO!!!

Rolandtheroadie

mrbadexample wrote: »

It doesn't need an operators' licence.



You definately need a private hire operators licence issued by the local authority.

Rolandtheroadie

goldspanners wrote: »

avoid the vito at all costs,its a very poor vehicle considering how well it holds its money,i really dont understand how they hold money so well.
if i was you i would look more at the new shape transit or the vivaro/trafic/primastar options. very nice inside comfortable,plenty of space and powerful with good fuel economy.

regarding the private hire thing, to make the whole thing viable, ie extra insurance,tests and checks i would think the vehicle would need to be doing a bit more than just the odd airport run when its suits you. to make it worth your while the vehicle would need to be working on at least a part time basis,maybe 3 or 4 good hires per week.
if i were you i would buy the best i could afford and just look after it,get it serviced well and remember a good second hand vehicle like this will hold good money when you come to sell it on.

BUT KEEP AWAY FROM THE VITO!!!

Managed to get an online quote for the insurance side of it. £3300 so to be honest i'd say the private hire aspect is out for now.(add on the £338 operators licence, £128 per driver so they can get an id, an all the testing involved).

So i'll just have to go out and buy one anyway (but not a vito). An AA guy advised to avoid them before. He had a caravelle and thought they were great.
Thanks to everyone that replied.

Hintza

scotsman4th wrote: »

He had a caravelle and thought they were great.

Caravelles are very big in South Africa for those that can afford them over the Toyota.

Always a good rule of thumb is to see what they are driving in 3rd World countries where the vehicles lead a hard life, these guys are no fools and tend to look for tough, reliable and cheap to fix.

Rolandtheroadie

I like the look of them and any I see seem to have plenty luggage space.

I've enjoyed this discussion so much, I'm off to start a new thread.

Which? minibus people carriers need not apply.