Running costs for 3.5T Lorry please ?

ycbm

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My friends and I am considering buying a 3.5T lorry. Can you advise me of running costs ,.. insurance etc ??

What age? There's a big difference in potential maintenance costs between a high mileage van and a low mileage one. They aren't built to last like 7.5s.

My insurance, two older drivers, fully comp, max NCB was £340. Tax as I recollect £170 but you can find it online. MOT test cost is nearly £60


Are you sure about sharing? It can be a good way to lose friends! I would suggest you have a written agreement who pays for what, how and when it is refuelled, who gets priority if two of you want to go in different directions on the same day etc.
 
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ycbm

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Its quite old the one Im looking at... 1984, but only 75k . Its a VW LT35

Check out whether you will be able to find any spare parts for it if it goes wrong. That isn't old, it's positively antique!!
 

meesha

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Running costs as in fuel, tax, insurance good on a 3.5 tonne but it's pot luck on other costs, mine has 90k (2007 reg) some years i spend loads on necessary repairs others none. Same as cars!
 

ycbm

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Ok maybe should look at other 3.5 dearer ones. Running costs anyone though ?

What do you mean? Apart from what I've given, you've got fuel. I'm getting well over 30mpg but mine is only 2 years old.

The only other 'running costs' are what it costs in maintenance, and the answer to that is 'it costs what it costs' depending on what wears out or breaks. It could be nothing or thousands in any one year.
 

ROG

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Could easily be 1000kg and you'll struggle to get a payload high enough for that plus tack and passengers on an old 3.5t van conversion.
That is why I posed the question
I was thinking not enough payload for more than one horse

2 horses + 2 people + tack etc etc = exceeding the 3500 GVW is very likely
 

ycbm

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That is why I posed the question
I was thinking not enough payload for more than one horse

2 horses + 2 people + tack etc etc = exceeding the 3500 GVW is very likely

I have 1300kg on mine, but only the newer ones built with modern strong and lightweight materials can give that kind of payload.
 
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