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A used Mercedes-Benz eCitaro for Stadtwerke Eberbach.
“Vehicle care always pays off”
This is how you can increase the resale value of your pre-owned bus
From a technical point of view, buses can run perfectly well for 20 years. So even an older pre-owned vehicle is still capable of achieving a high price – above all when the vehicle is in good condition. For bus and coach companies that may want to sell on their vehicles at some point, there are a few things to remember. Pre-owned bus expert Trifon Spatov from the Paris BusStore Center gives his tips.
“The buses we see are all very different from one another by the time they reach us,” says Trifon Spatov, the person in charge of the pre-owned bus trade at the BusStore in France. “You can see which ones have been looked after during daily operations and whether the owner has taken care of them. Regular vehicle care always pays off,” he states.
The age and mileage of the vehicle also influence the price. Spatov: “350,000 kilometres on the clock isn’t a lot, technically speaking. The vehicle should be able to keep running without a problem – as long as it is well maintained and cared for.” Sometimes it is also worth it to exchange some parts.
The vehicle condition is critical
Once a vehicle comes to the BusStore for sale, what happens first of course is the road safety test. Then, the exterior is inspected: paint, windows, tyres and rims. Inside the bus, the first point of investigation is the seats: are they all there? How good is the quality? Are there tears, scuffs or even burn marks? After this, the floor and furnishings are checked. Here too, the inspectors cast a critical eye over any traces of wear and use, determining whether the bus has been well looked after or not.
If you’re looking for a higher price, Trifon Spatov recommends that “cosmetic repairs always pay off. Sometimes it can even be worth putting new covers on some of the seats – of course, using the original material. This is better than trying to sell on a bus with the odd bit of vandalism at the back.”
Look after your vehicle!
Of course, there are also general factors that influence the purchase price. According to Spatov, the time of year is important. Prices on the pre-owned bus market fluctuate widely on a seasonal basis. For example, there is normally heavy demand for coaches in the spring.
To achieve good resale value, however, the brand also plays an important role. “Many buyers want a vehicle of a reputable make. As a rule, these achieve higher resale values. Such vehicles are much more in demand and so offer better conditions for resale,” Spatov says.
Lastly, the bus expert has a final point to emphasise: “Look after your vehicle. It is your workhorse, so don’t mistreat it. A bus wants to be looked after, and continuously at that.”
Our tip: BestAge Repair by OMNIplus
With OMNIplus BestAge Repair, the service brand is putting older buses and coaches in the spotlight. Because it is precisely in its advanced years that your vehicle shows how powerful, profitable and stable in value it really is. Read more
