ex council vehicle??

jakeh1989

Hi everybody,

In a bit of a dilemma im in the market for a transit and found one online which looks good. 55plate 160k miles fsh 1 previous owner EX COUNCIL VEHICLE. Is this a good thing or a bad thing does anyone know? I know they say ex bt, ex ambulance etc are the ones to get but what about ex council? I asked a mate whos a lorry mechanic he reckons ex council is good and serviced to hell. However i looked online and came across a discussion similar to what im asking where people claim, they are not looked after, not well serviced and that the council run them into the ground before departing with them.

So im hearing two different sides here, does anybody have any experience or even an opionion on the matter. Dont want to buy a load of hastle.

Thanks

Spicy_McHaggis

Minus side - One owner multiple drivers and often driven like it's been stolen.

Plus side - Many have their own workshops with proper mechanics so up until recent cuts it should be well maintained.

As with any secondhand vehicle you pay your money and take a chance.

colino

Depends on what it is, what it was used for and if it has a specialist body or equipment. Just think about it. If it is, say a Transit Connect, that has been used by 100 drivers, all in a hurry, none with any long term connection with it and looked after by the average council garage. Don't. In general it will have been severely abused and the last good attention it had was being resprayed for sale.
The vehicle you are describing (nice to now what it was) seems to be remarkably old for a LA and not been used much to only get to 160k(is it miles or Km?) as a commercial in 10 years.

jakeh1989

colino wrote: »

Depends on what it is, what it was used for and if it has a specialist body or equipment. Just think about it. If it is, say a Transit Connect, that has been used by 100 drivers, all in a hurry, none with any long term connection with it and looked after by the average council garage. Don't. In general it will have been severely abused and the last good attention it had was being resprayed for sale.
The vehicle you are describing (nice to now what it was) seems to be remarkably old for a LA and not been used much to only get to 160k(is it miles or Km?) as a commercial in 10 years.

.

It has roof rack and rhino pipe tube so think its safe to assume used in building work.

I tried to post a link of ad but MSE wouldnt let me

Spicy_McHaggis

jakeh1989 wrote: »

.

It has roof rack and rhino pipe tube so think its safe to assume used in building work.

I tried to post a link of ad but MSE wouldnt let me

Send it in a pm and I'll post if for you.

Spicy_McHaggis

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/251886564117

bigjl

Ex Ambulance are not the ones to buy.

The NHS runs them till they are economically no longer viable.

The cars are also driven hard, mostly 24/7. And any vans they have will also be kept till the wheels are falling off

They are still using 55 and 56 plate Zafiras for rapid response in London. And the last time I seen a Tender Van it was a 58plate Vauxhall (same as a Master. Movano??)

Some Council vehicles can be a bargain but you need to look at each vehicle individually.

Some Council vehicles are also fitted with speed limiters.

There is a decent Auction in Wales with lots of ex Council stuff.

https://www.auctioneers.co.uk

Spicy_McHaggis

bigjl wrote: »

Ex Ambulance are not the ones to buy.

The NHS runs them till they are economically no longer viable.

The cars are also driven hard, mostly 24/7. And any vans they have will also be kept till the wheels are falling off

They are still using 55 and 56 plate Zafiras for rapid response in London. And the last time I seen a Tender Van it was a 58plate Vauxhall (same as a Master. Movano??)

Some Council vehicles can be a bargain but you need to look at each vehicle individually.

Some Council vehicles are also fitted with speed limiters.

There is a decent Auction in Wales with lots of ex Council stuff.

https://www.auctioneers.co.uk

In all honesty any authority vehicle is likely to be sold when it is no longer economically viable for them to run. The days of new vehicles every two years are long gone.

jakeh1989

Spicy_McHaggis wrote: »

In all honesty any authority vehicle is likely to be sold when it is no longer economically viable for them to run. The days of new vehicles every two years are long gone.

Economically viable? sorry stupid question, i kind of understand the meaning but what does it mean in regards to vehicles?

Im still Unsure of what to do tempted to just leave it, but dont wna miss out if it is a good buy

Spicy_McHaggis

jakeh1989 wrote: »

Economically viable? sorry stupid question, i kind of understand the meaning but what does it mean in regards to vehicles?

Im still Unsure of what to do tempted to just leave it, but dont wna miss out if it is a good buy

Costs more to keep on the road than it brings in by having a van.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

jakeh1989 wrote: »

Economically viable? sorry stupid question, i kind of understand the meaning but what does it mean in regards to vehicles?

Im still Unsure of what to do tempted to just leave it, but dont wna miss out if it is a good buy

Go see it in the flesh. Look over it well, especially engine bay. if its been steamed under the bonnet, then I'd suspect something is leaking or had been leaking and would prompt me to be asking more questions in that regard.


Theres no rust in the photo's in the common area's, rear doors bottoms, sills, arches, front door bottoms, round the front windscreen, so may have been repainted sometime in its past.