High mileage

[Farcical1]

I'm trying to sell my 3.5t lorry but with no luck so far. It's by a well known manufacturer but with high mileage. I have reams of paperwork showing that both the engine and the horse area have been well maintained, yet everyone seems put off by the mileage.
I know there's nothing I can change about this; it is what it is. But is there anything I can do to make it more attractive to a buyer that I might be missing? I suspect I may have to be patient and wait for the right buyer, but I don't do patient!

 

[Parly]

Can you post a link to the ad you've had up so far or does the forum not allow for it? If not just give brief details of reg, mileage, condition and facilities. Not up to speed on boxes and trailers to be honest but my brothers are mechanics and fond of the old Bedford or Leylands no matter what their use!

 

[Red-1]

I guess the simple answer is to lower the price to appeal to someone who would normally have to buy an older vehicle. If I had a choice I would buy a younger vehicle with higher mileage if it were the same price as an older one with lower.

I guess I also would not put the mileage directly on the advert, of course I would tell people the mileage, but once they had contacted me, so I could extol the virtues of the younger body shell.

Good photos?

 

[On the Hoof]

Agree that a link to the ad might help if allowed. What year is the vehicle and do you have weighbridge certificate. If it's a well known make and well looked after the mileage shouldn't be too much of a problem but maybe you are asking too much for it?

 

[Farcical1]

It's on Horsequest and all over Facebook; don't think I'm allowed to link on here.
I've priced it to reflect the high mileage and I do have a weight certificate.
I don't think there's much point in not putting the mileage on this advert; I had a few enquiries before I properly advertised it, and as soon as I told them the mileage they weren't interested.
I've got loads of photo and have sent loads to people who asked for them.
I will drop the price I guess if needed; now the horse has gone I just want it gone, more for my peace of mind, I guess.

 

[Pilatesclare]

Please would you pm me a link to the advert? Thanks

 

[Tiddlypom]

If you put an ad with H&H, you can link to the ad from the forum without getting your knuckles rapped.

 

[be positive]

Is it the Marlborough? if so there is only one photo of the drivers side which makes me think the ramp and inside may be tatty so get a few more photos for a start, the payload is about right but would read better if it was 1000kg without the "bit of kit in the back" there is nothing you can do about the mileage and I suspect there would be more interest if it was just under 10k rather than over.
I am vaguely looking for one which would do very few miles but would not want to pay quite that price for a high mileage box, having looked around I think most people would rather pay a bit more for something with lower miles and a less quality body.

 

[Myloubylou]

I bought my horsebox with over 400k on it, doesn't bother me as knew it was serviced every 6 weeks when it was in use as a tipper truck. Not had a problem with it in over a year, passed mot easily. Depends on how it's maintained, a low mileage box sat stationary will have more problems.

 

[Farcical1]

It is the Marlborough; there's only one photo as more we're bloody expensive. It's had a new ramp as stated in the advert.
I'll probably drop the price soon if it doesn't sell.
Thanks all for your thoughts. I've been driving myself mad, wondering if it will ever sell.
I'm a bit flummoxed as to why people would go lower mileage but tattier horse area; does horse safety not count?

 

[be positive]

It is the Marlborough; there's only one photo as more we're bloody expensive. It's had a new ramp as stated in the advert.
I'll probably drop the price soon if it doesn't sell.
Thanks all for your thoughts. I've been driving myself mad, wondering if it will ever sell.

Change the photo for one of the ramp side, open so the inside is clearly seen, far more useful than the side you show to anyone that may not know how well built they are.

 

[ycbm]

I bought my horsebox with over 400k on it, doesn't bother me as knew it was serviced every 6 weeks when it was in use as a tipper truck. Not had a problem with it in over a year, passed mot easily. Depends on how it's maintained, a low mileage box sat stationary will have more problems.

Was your box a 7.5 ton? Those engines are nicely worn in at half a million miles For a 3.5, high mileage is a much more important issue. It doesn't matter how much you service them, engines, clutches, brakes, gears wear out with miles.

 

[ycbm]

I'm a bit flummoxed as to why people would go lower mileage but tattier horse area; does horse safety not count?

For people like me, it's because tatty doesn't mean unsafe, and can be sorted, and getting there is more important than looking pretty.

 

[Myloubylou]

Was your box a 7.5 ton? Those engines are nicely worn in at half a million miles For a 3.5, high mileage is a much more important issue. It doesn't matter how much you service them, engines, clutches, brakes, gears wear out with miles.

5.2 ton

 

[Tiddlypom]

You definitely need better pics. That is indeed a very high mileage for a 3.5t box. I'd be further put off by the fact that since conversion it has been a ex pro horse box, so presumably the horse area is looking pretty worn.

It'll sell, of course, but whether anyone will pay what you're currently asking, I don't know (I wouldn't).

 

[PaddyMonty]

As I haven't seen the ad, what is the high mileage we're talking about?

 

[be positive]

As I haven't seen the ad, what is the high mileage we're talking about?

260,000 + on a 54 plate.

 

[Farcical1]

267,600. Regularly serviced and FSH available.

 

[GirlFriday]

Some random thoughts for you...

Scratch " to further lessen the risk", people will either understand or not, leave it to them - risk is a scary word for ppl.

I'd leave out mention of advisories on the MOT as they have been addressed, just include the new calipers with the bit about work you've had done.

I know you've included details of all the work done to show that those areas are in good condition but it does make it sound a bit as though the box will be expensive to maintain. Sort of a double-edged sword.

I'm not a transport ad expert but might be worth getting someone to help you re-phrase it a bit. More "well maintained with recently replaced [list of stuff here]". Leave off all the dates as, again, that makes it sound like it always needs work doing.

I'd potentially not mention the respray of bumper at all (except when someone is actually reading it in the service history) as it makes it sound as though it may have been involved in an accident, something like "clean paintwork" might sound better?

Agree that a much better photo would be from the other side with all doors/ramps etc open and sun shining into the vehicle (seriously makes a difference).

I'm not sure (and suspect potential buyers won't be either) what 'general wear & tear' means... could mean it is a complete state or could mean it has occasionally had a horse inside. If it is 'good' rather than 'excellent' condition that is fine (and better than 'fair' or 'poor' condition) and no need to mention the wear. If, e.g. the seats are ripped open with stuffing coming out then just put 'fair' condition and needs some work.

 

[Farcical1]

Girlfriday, thank you. Exactly what I needed. The more I wrote the advert, the more confused I was making myself. I guess I included all that had been done to state that it had been well maintained but I get your point about it sounds like it needs a lot spending on it!

 

[ycbm]

267,600. Regularly serviced and FSH available.

My OH maintains my 7.5t, a 20 year old diesel Hilux and a range of other vehicles during our time together.

He says 'that's nearly knackered'.

Sorry that's not what you need to hear, but I think you need to drop your price unless you manage to find a buyer who doesn't understand smaller engines.

 

[Farcical1]

ycbm, my mechanic, who specialises in maintaining high mileage vehicles, and had actually seen the engine, would disagree.
Thanks for your input though.

 

[tashcat]

I've seen this box whilst browsing (before reading this thread) so will give you a few honest thoughts I had at the time:

Lack of pictures was a major one. Mileage also slightly put me off, and thought price didn't reflect mileage - agree with others about it being more attractive under £10k.

The list of things you've done made me a bit concerned - I know you've included to show how well taken care of it is -but most people don't disclose so much on an ad so I would reword that part.

I thought it was a nice looking box and the last paragraph was well written and convincing so keep that bit!

 

[Farcical1]

Thanks tashcat.
I valued it after speaking to several people who know the market, but it looks like they've all been over optimistic. I shall get rewriting at the weekend.

 

[PaddyMonty]

Rather than list all the maintenance it's had, just say 'maintained regardless of cost'
Whist the engine block wont be bothered by the mileage it's all the other stuff that has also done the high mileage that would worry me if I was buying

 

[Farcical1]

Thanks PaddyMonty.
I have someone coming to look at it later. I've resigned myself to a much lower offer than I previously thought.
Things are, after all, only worth what some one will pay.

 

[ycbm]

ycbm, my mechanic, who specialises in maintaining high mileage vehicles, and had actually seen the engine, would disagree.
Thanks for your input though.

Yes, but your mechanic is looking at that engine and knows it's a good'un. Buyers are looking at an advert for a 3.5 box with that has already reached the kind of mileage where the engine usually needs to be replaced. Psychologically I'm afraid it's a big turn off. I hope you get a decent price for it soon though.

 

[Farcical1]

Thanks ycbm. I do know what you're saying.
Overall opinion is drop the price, so message heard!
Thanks all.

 

[ROG]

Easy to find it on a google-search as I just put in HORSEQUEST MARLBOROUGH FOR SALE and it was the top link

 

[ester]

I'm not sure it is rare enough to get that sort of box that you can ask that sort of price for that mileage if that makes sense, a fair few marlborough hunters/similar come on the market so people can be a little picky. I also think you need to show it is nice on the inside still somehow so agree a pic with ramp down of whole box (I've seen the fb pics too)

Also very few seem to come up with over 200k mileage even the real oldies, which will imply to most people that they die before that point . So I agree with ycbm that psychologically it is tricky.

It is worth noting that there isn't that much that comes up in the 6-9k sort of bracket so if you can drop into that I think you would do better.