Buying a lorry on a budget: Viewing boxes

By Harriet Linton

How to...

06 November 2009 14:36

Seven thousand pounds is an awful lot of money to most horse owners. But when it comes to buying a lorry, unfortunately a £7,000 budget places you right in the bargain basement. We guide you through each step of the lorry buying process to get the best lorry for your money.

Before you go on viewings, be clear about what you want to ask the seller and have a written list of questions. Don’t be sidetracked if the seller tries to steer you away from certain points – stick to your guns and find out what you need to know.

● Try to combine as many viewings as possible in one trip

● Leave plenty of time for your journey, have contact numbers to hand and call the buyer promptly if you start to run late

● Decide who you’re taking to the viewing – professional bodies will accompany you and conduct their checks on-site

● You might encounter pushy sellers – don’t let them pressurise you to commit to anything and try not to go to viewings on your own

● Don’t view a lorry in the dark – it hides a multitude of sins and you’ll have to make a return trip to view it again

● See if you can take the lorry on a test drive of around the same length as your nearest competition venue and back. Offer to cover the cost of petrol

● Is the front of the lorry warm when you turn up? If so, the engine’s already been fired up, which can be used to disguise a poor starter