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Whilst the majority
of horseboxes up for sale are good, sound
buys and value for money, we really do get
to see some amazing vehicles. Some time
ago our Finance Department asked me to check
over a second -hand chassis that had been
refurbished with a new body just six months
previously. My responsibilities on these
occasions are two-fold. The finance company
give a very good deal, but it is dependant
on my valuation and inspection. The buyer
also wants the same peace of mind.
Arriving at the premises
I was directed to an area of hard standing
next to the small stable block housing a
couple of Dartmoor ponies. Built on a small
VW chassis, the vehicle looked really smart
in its two-tone green livery. It really
stood out. Unfortunately things quickly
started to go downhill and the check boxes
om my sheet soon filled with crosses. The
body was well put together and nicely finished
but the 250,000km chassis was in a very
poor mechanical state. It would require
a great deal of work before it would be
truly reliable. However, there was one major
problem that overcame all others. In order
to gain an extra amount of living, the body
had been extended so that it now overhung
the chassis by nearly three feet. This extra
length at the back - exactly where the horses
would stand - was completely unsupported!
Even with two small ponies this was really
unacceptable, with two 15.2hh horses it
was out of the question!
Needless to say, my buyer
was none too pleased when I relayed the
list of faults. Failing a vehicle is perhaps
the hardest part of the job. The buyer really
wants it to pass, otherwise they would not
have requested the inspection and the seller
becomes convinced that there is an ulterior
motive for the failure. Luckily my buyer
found another vehicle just last week. It
passed the inspection with flying colours
and our finance company were only too pleased
to agree the loan. At The Organisation of
Horsebox and Trailer Owners, we can even
run extra checks on vehicles. We can validate
the mileage, chassis, engine and registration
numbers, check for outstanding hire-purchase
and whether the vehicle has been ever been
written-off in an accident.
My buyer now has a really
good clean vehicle that will do the job
perfectly The living may not be quite as
new as the other - but at least it isn't
likely to fall off the chassis when loaded!"
The OHTO have put together
a few things to look for when buying a horsebox:
· Check the bodywork, cab floor and steps
for rust for rust.
· Check the tyres and exhaust. They give
you an idea if the vehicle has been well
looked after.
· Search for rot and damp patches on the
floor of the vehicle.
· Make certain the ramp woodwork, hinges
and balance springs are all sound and in
good working order. Check that the ramp
is manageable by a woman on her own!
· Make sure when you view the vehicle that
the engine is cold and has not been started
before you get there.
· Check there are no oil leaks from the
engine.
· Check the oil light does not come on when
started.
· Check engine speed and smoke emission
when stationery.
· Cab checks :
o Gauges
o Lights
o Indicators
o Wipers
o Play of the steering wheel
o Horn o Warning lights
· Check wiring for lighting
areas in living and horse areas and make
sure they run from a separate battery -
not the main vehicle battery.
· Unless you definitely want an HGV, check
that the weight will not be over 7.5 tonnes,
when fully laden with your horses, tack
feed passengers and all provisions.
REMEMBER THE OLD SAYING
"CAVEAT EMPTOR - BUYER BEWARE", TAKE YOUR
TIME AND TAKE SOMEONE WITH YOU WHO MIGHT
BE ABLE TO SPOT THINGS YOU DON'T.
OHTO also run a Vehicle
Inspection Service and Bank of Scotland
Finance Packages for prospective horsebox
owners.
If you would like to see
and print out the OHTO 90 Point Check Lists
click here:-
http://www.horsebox-rescue.co.uk/html/90_point_check_1.html
(Page 1 )
http://www.horsebox-rescue.co.uk/html/90_point_check2.html
(Page 2)
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