5 Factors to Consider when Buying a Used School Bus

As budgets tighten for businesses and school districts, used school buses are becoming an increasingly popular transportation option. This growing popularity has resulted in a busy market as buyers including companies, schools, and churches prioritize core operations over transportation issues. For buyers who are new to the idea of purchasing a used school bus, one of the biggest challenges involves developing an accurate assessment of the value of each bus under consideration for purchase.

To start developing an accurate value it’s important to consider a variety of factors above and beyond the number of miles on the odometer. This is not to say that mileage isn’t an important factor, it’s that the 40,000 miles put on one school bus could be vastly different than the same mileage put on another. For example, 40,000 miles driven on flat surfaces would result in far less wear and tear than on a bus that put its miles in on steep inclines, salted roads, extreme weather conditions, etc.

With this in mind, additional factors that should be considered include:

• The year the bus was built – This date, when factored in combination with mileage will give you the average mileage per year that the bus was driven. In this scenario, 40,000 miles on a bus that is a year old is much different than 40,000 driven over 10 years.
• Body condition – Inspecting the body can reveal a lot of information about the care that the bus received from its previous owners. A clear paint finish would indicate that the bus was waxed regularly while cloudy or oxidizing paint would indicate a lack of maintenance, which could extend to the inner workings as well.
• Engine – Check for overall appearance, cracking hoses, accumulations of dirt, etc. to get a general feel for engine upkeep.
• Rust – The presence of rust indicates poor maintenance and the necessity of future expenditures to keep it in check.
• The maintenance log and documentation of repairs – Detailed records, especially if accompanied by receipts, will give you a clear picture of the care given to the vehicle as well as the frequency and cost of repairs. Generally speaking, a bus that has needed constant repairs from previous owners will continue need them with the new owners as well.

Getting a clear picture of the pattern of use, maintenance, and repairs on each pre-owned school bus under consideration will help to determine the vehicle that has the best value. For more information on buying the best bus for your needs, visit: http://www.busmartinc.com/

Selling Tips for Used School Buses

If you’re selling a used school bus, here are a handful of tips to get the best price regardless of your geographic location:

• Be able to present all of your maintenance and repair records – School districts typically keep detailed documentation and the more you have of it, the better. Being able to document the amount of maintenance that went into the vehicle in detail can both convince a buyer and differentiate your bus from competing offerings.
• Prepare the visual appearance of your bus for sale – Presenting a bus that looks great is another step along the path toward maximizing the proceeds from your sale. Wash and wax the exterior, clean the interior, and be sure to remove gum and other items from the seats.
• Tune the engine – A smoking engine, especially if you’re selling a school bus with high mileage, could either result in a much lower selling price or kill the deal altogether. A little maintenance prior to placing a used school bus for sale can make a material difference in the ultimate selling price.
• Expand your market – Advertising locally, especially for a niche item like a used school bus can be a frustrating experience. It can also result in a minimal selling price if your one buyer knows he’s the only one you have. Instead, list your bus with a company that has a record of success in placing used school buses for sale on the web. This will expand your potential market, the number of buyers, and potential selling price of your bus.

With an increasingly active secondary market for pre-owned school buses, sellers can maximize their proceeds with documentation, preparation, and a marketing plan that maximizes the audience for the bus to be sold. For more information, visit: http://www.busmartinc.com/