Lorry advice please...

[ginnyspinner]

I am looking for a small 7.5 ton 2 horse lorry with day living, and am going to look at a Ford Cargo 813 tomorrow. Does anyone drive a Cargo? and what defects should I look out for?
It is H reg with full years plate and tax.
A friend of mine says that the brakes can be a bit sharp on them.
Any advice very welcome, since I could write down what i know about lorries on a shred of paper!!

 

[nelliefinellie]

I have an F reg cargo 813 - great lorry only problem is can't always get parts for as they dont make them any more - luckily I have good garage that are good at patching up!

 

[Kate_13]

I have a cargo, an oldie but still good *touches wood*.

Yes, the brakes take some getting used to but it is an easy drive. I love my old girl to bits.

Watch for rust, floor and general patching up. check the brakes are OK and if they have been replaced.

 

[custard]

Having just spent the last two weeks under various vans/lorries doing a city and guilds course in vehicle exam' my head is spinning with all the stuff to look for, far too much to go into on here!

Whilst it's plated which is perhaps more rigorous than an MOT, the plate means very little at the end of the day as seals and the like can go the day after so just because it's plated doesn't necessarily make it safe.

I would strongly recommend you take a tame mechanic with you, well worth a few pounds cash in his/her pocket to point out any problems. Try contacting a local commercial vehicle garage and smile sweetly. I used a company caled Hicks from Coventry and they may know somebody near you.

Don't part with any money for the box until it's been give a really good going over by somebody.

If it gets snapped up so be it but there is a lot of rubbish out there and it will save you money in the long run, hope this helps.

 

[JM07]

if you are looking for something of that age, i'd personally go for a Leyland Roadrunner...the chassis are much lighter than a cargo so you are less likely to be over weight when loaded.

believe me there is NO WAY anyone will get 3 horses on a cargo with living.....

 

[mrhsaddler]

The only problem with a Cargo is that the cabs fall apart from rust, if you find any bubbling in the paint work on the cab be prepared to spend some money on it, otherwise they are good in every other way.