sizing up a vehicle over long distance

[GeekOKent]

See that advert for what looks like a great truck, but is located 200 miles away. What are the sort of things one should/ would / could ask for over the phone and emails etc to build enough confidence to make the trip for a hands on look and feel. Pics of the engine bay from both sides and front in, pictures of whats it like underneath, some pictures of the service log etc are the kind of things that I guess are easily provided, and when asked for - most vendors should'nt feel like they're being hassled.

How about a long distance MOT ? its £50 bucks or so, has anyone gone to the extent of booking one in, then asking the seller to drive the truck in, and ask the MOT guy for feedback direct to you ? Does that seem overly intrusive for the seller ? I was just thinking that if done properly, should give a fair idea on the state of the basics.

regards,

 

[karl webster]

People look at distances different than I do. This moring I got up at 5.15 and hit the road around 5.40. Did 200 miles then 200 back with a car on my trailer. Back around 4.30. Few stops for breakfast lunch etc.

You can ask the questions needed etc etc. Alot is down to the price though. If you mess around you will loose every truck your possibly interested in. I know that's a bit blunt but personally I think that's how it goes.

Photos etc help but its never the same as seeing in person. Personally for me if the money's right I jump in the truck and go and view/collect.

 

[karl webster]

Just to add. If a buyer asked me to take it into an mot station etc personally I wouldn't. I don't think I'd know anyone that would. Just my opinion.

 

[GeekOKent]

Just to add. If a buyer asked me to take it into an mot station etc personally I wouldn't. I don't think I'd know anyone that would. Just my opinion.

Totally hearing that, and I wouldn't buy something without getting to it first - just that getting time off to get long distance is pretty hard; and I dont have a trailer etc, so it would be a case of training it etc

 

[karl webster]

Understand GK.
The problem is there's still a lot of traders who will buy these over the phone. I do as well. I understand its hp harder for some others.
If its at the right money then guys buy them without viewing etc. could you get anyone to view it for you who knows these trucks? Put a deposit on it if you trust the person viewing it then go and collect?

Is it an 80? What kind of money are we talking about?

 

[David]

I would make the time and go I like Karl I will travel miles, today I did a 300 mile round trip to pick some wheels and tyres up for a mate,
As for the MOT thing when I brought my 95 of Andy Cook the deal was if it passes the MOT I will fly up and collect it, and it was a long way back from Aberdeenshire

 

[t1pper]

Hi,
I would ask for a few pictures if you already do not have some this is fairly straight forward and an easy request for people selling cars nowadays, ask if all the documentation is in hand you dont want to get there to find the log book and full dealer history is "lost".
Generally most sellers are happy to spend a few minutes on the phone to have a chat about their car and answer a few basic questions, I usally get a feel for things during a conversation.
I would avoid viewing a car by train as it may limit your dealing power, I would way up if it was worth taking a second driver or a return journey to collect, rather than meeting someone at a train station to view a car, viewing at the home address as the log book states is always preferable, HPI check is essentual too.

Lastly with regards to paying for a MOT I think that most people would not want to mess around with this, last time a brought a car long distance I agreed a deal subject to a professional car inspection verifing the condition as discribed, it cost me about 1% of the asking price plus I ended up saving a few pounds by negotiating for a few minor faults that were genuinely not disclosed by the seller.

 

[joinerman]

Where abouts in the country is it, I'm sure we would have a member on here that would be close ish & would take a look & advise whether your journey would be worthwhile.

 

[Pumpy]

when I was 80 shopping I went to look at 2 different trucks miles away, I was convinced I was coming home with them before I got there, 1 was in ok nick but had no lockers even tho the seller had said it had all 3, one was a bag of shite with the worlds worse respray and a dog destroyed interior. I was going to get a taxi to pick one up, 180 miles, got a deal/quote for £160 before I found a mate willing to give up his day off to help me out for fuel & beer money.

 

[GeekOKent]

Thanks for all the great feedback guys.

The one that prompted the question is a 100 in Inverness. Thats a 1000+ mile round trip for me. I spoke to the seller this morning and will try and work something out, he's someone I have known from a past life.

The other one that looks very interesting is the black 100 in eyemouth. Do we know someone in the area who might be able to look at it ?

 

[GeekOKent]

Understand GK.
The problem is there's still a lot of traders who will buy these over the phone. I do as well. I understand its hp harder for some others.
If its at the right money then guys buy them without viewing etc. could you get anyone to view it for you who knows these trucks? Put a deposit on it if you trust the person viewing it then go and collect?

Is it an 80? What kind of money are we talking about?

Hi Karl,

Having looked at a bunch of 80's in the area I have resigned myself to the fact that it's no longer possible to get a reasonable grade 80 without paying over the odds for a handfull clean ones still in circulation. So looking at 100s now.

-KB

 

[BobMurphy]

I find I convince myself that the vehicle I'm looking at "is the one" and more or less go for it. I'm talking about 'hobby vehicles' that I know will require work rather than very expensive daily drivers.

I have been looking for a 'Cherry Picker' platform for use around my house & garden (plus odd jobs around the farm where I live).

I eventually saw a suitable one, contacted the seller and got some additional pictures of the underside plus a bit more info on the condition.

It was an e-bay sale which I managed to win at 18:15hrs on Friday 2nd Oct. I then paid the seller and arranged Commercial Vehicle Insurance just before the Insurance Co. closed.

A couple of hours sleep, up at midnight and on the road at 01:00 on my 'smaller' BMW Bike (1988 R100 GS). I arrived at the farm just north of Dawlish in Devon at 09:50 - 465 miles from Edinburgh.

Checked the truck over, saw the business bits working, got the bike strapped down in the back and drove it back to Edinburgh (with MANY coffee stops and 'B' roads north of Gretna as I was getting really tired of Motorways).

It went well, trundling along happily at 60 mph. A bit top and rear heavy which was 'interesting' in the N/S lane ruts on Motorways .

There are, of course, some issues. It is a 1998 vehicle after all but as it has spent its life in the West Country the rust isn't too bad, certainly nothing like Scottish vehicles of that age. The mileage is just under 100,000 which is OK on a 2.5 litre diesel that appears to have been well maintained.

It works well and has been put to good use . . . My new toy - photographed in Devon :

Its a 1998 Ford Transit LWB '190' with a 2.5 litre diesel and a Versalift NF 36 platform. It is rated at 3.8 tons for taxation purposes and is 'MOT Exempt' - hence some of the issues .

Maximum vertical reach is 13.2 metres. To the side about 7.5 metres.

It feels high when you're up there but in practice is never quite tall enough (I have a big house and big trees that need pruning).

Before anyone asks, yes I have acquired all the safety gear (harnesses etc), have read and understood all the literature and intend to take the certification course next year. It is not currently 'LOLER Certified' but that only expired recently and it has had a lot of maintenance since.

The things we do .

Bob.

 

[GeekOKent]

I find I convince myself that the vehicle I'm looking at "is the one" and more or less go for it.

......

It feels high when you're up there but in practice is never quite tall enough [emoji38] (I have a big house and big trees that need pruning).

What a great problem to have and a great mindset to go with it

 

[joinerman]

Bob, is the Tranny a turbo with the epic pump ?

 

[karl webster]

Bob, is the Tranny a turbo with the epic pump ?

Rare if its got a turbo. My mate used to have one. Wish I had bought it off him.

 

[joinerman]

Here's mine Karl, 2.5 turbo, have converted it from the epic electronic pump to a Bosch manual, goes like the clappers & economical & the reassurance it's not going to go into limp mode AGAIN !!!!!!!

 

[karl webster]

Hmm. I want. The banana engine was always good just underpowered. Why did you buy it from?

 

[BobMurphy]

Bob, is the Tranny a turbo with the epic pump ?

You had me worried there, so I took a torch out in the dark to have a look .

Yes, the exhaust goes to a Turbo-shaped lump with an oil feed and a Dump Valve so I guess it is a 'Turbo' model (must get a sticker for the back door ).

What is the "Epic Pump" ??

I was pleasantly surprised at the fuel consumption. I wish my '100' would go that far on a gallon .

Its slow to get moving with a large jump from 1st to 2nd but once in 4th & 5th it just quietly hums along.

The inside is very clean, unlike some I looked at. I have fitted a newer up-market Ford Radio/CD player as the original was in bits. I now have a reversing camera set-up to fit as, with the cradle dangling at the back, its L O N G !

I got the plot for £2,800 which I thought was OK. With added equipment/safety gear/ servicing and Insurance its now cost me £4,500 - but that's hobbies for you.

Its quite fun - but I have to remember to take my mobile phone aloft, just in case .

I took down a dead Sycamore tree that was leaning over the (busy) Farm road and threatening my neighbour's house. I thought the tree was about 60ft high, but my 41ft platform reached only just above half way.

I was able to get a pair of 5-metre 2-ton strops around the upper branches and, with a 50 metre anchor chain with a Merlo Telehandler on the other end cut the top off with a chainsaw.

The third cut felled the trunk - again with the telehandler pulling it into my garden.

Its handy having access to heavy machinery (but as it was the Farmer's house that was under the tree he had a vested interest in it falling the right way ).

I now have a couple of tons of additional firewood.

Bob.

 

[joinerman]

Look on the back of the pump bob, if there's a cluster of a dozen or so wires going into a big multi plug then you have the dreaded Epic pump ( fly by wire )

 

[joinerman]

Bought mine privately nearly five years ago Karl from a shady guy in Slough, gave a grand for it.