'Vetting' a horse box

[MotherOfChickens]

So, am finally in the market for a horse box. It's not going to be flash or pretty but am very excited. Looking for a 3.5t for a number of reasons. I don't know any lorry mechanics and also, due to my location, it's going to be a matter of seeing potential lorries a fair distance away probably at quite short notice.

Do mechanics do inspections? I know the RAC/AA do vehicle inspections but there's a limit on mileage and age. I don't mind cosmetic damage but could do without major issues immediately. Anyone got any advice please?

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

So, am finally in the market for a horse box. It's not going to be flash or pretty but am very excited. Looking for a 3.5t for a number of reasons. I don't know any lorry mechanics and also, due to my location, it's going to be a matter of seeing potential lorries a fair distance away probably at quite short notice.

Do mechanics do inspections? I know the RAC/AA do vehicle inspections but there's a limit on mileage and age. I don't mind cosmetic damage but could do without major issues immediately. Anyone got any advice please?

Here you go MOC, I would view first like a horse - then if you really like it get an inspection guy to check it, most mobile mechanics will do it, there might be tips here >>http://horse-care-and-advice.weebly.com/horsexbox--trailer.html

 

[WelshD]

don't do what I did - squeal and throw money at them!

a 3.5 can be checked over by most garages that see vans on a regular basis, its also worth checking with the local farmers (if the horsebox is local) as they will have mobile mechanics that attend to their plant vehicles, these chaps are very knowledgeable and literally worth their weight in gold and can normally tackle anything from a vintage car to a quarry vehicle

Study the previous MOT certificates so you can see what was done year on year and what appears constantly as an advisory as these will flag the general attitude of the owner to the care of their vehicle! see what advisories are current and cost these out (I rejected a box that had six minor advisories that looked scary in favour of a box that had one advisory which turned out to be a huge job)

 

[MotherOfChickens]

thanks both, that's very helpful

 

[kevd]

if your looking at 3.5t ask for a weight ticket so you know what payload you have left, a lot of 3.5t are heavy and only leave about 800kg, but there are some good ones with about 1200kg, and most mobile mechanics can do checks but will mainly be the engine and chassis they don't always check build quality on the box itself.

 

[mandyroberts]

I am lucky as I know a diesel fitter who is a VOSA inspector and I wouldn't buy a lorry without him checking it over. I have only had 2 lorries (he does a good job so they last a long time) but his inspections have resulted in don't touch it with a barge pole - to its fine, can't fault it to help your negotiations. I have bought fairly bais lorries (current one is an Iveco 75E15) and if they don't have too many electronics the assessment will be very accurate.

 

[whizzer]

When we last bought one we paid the mechanic who we use to go & see prospective purchases. The first he condemned totally, the 2nd he liked so much that he said he'd buy it if we weren't going to!