This article is intended to give people who are looking to buy a used bus or buses some preliminary insight on what to look for. Because used buses can be quite pricey, it is recommended that you get a second opinion on any bus you intend to buy, perhaps from a family ‘handyman’ or a neighboring mechanic, but preferably from a professional.

Why Do You Need a Used Bus?

Before you start to look for a used bus, have a clear idea as to what the bus will be used for. Figure out the approximate distance the bus will travel on a given day, and what frequency the bus will be used. Also decide how many people will be transported on it. Is there a possibility that more people will be transported in the bus in the near future, such as with a growing business? Buying a bigger used bus in anticipation of potential passenger growth is better than having to trade the bus in the future or buy another bus altogether. Once you have figured out what the bus will be used for, you are ready to start looking for a used bus.

Where to Look

When buying a used car, you may look in classifieds, billboards, the internet etc. When buying a used bus, you should take more time finding a reputable, professional dealer. Used buses are also sold through school districts and municipalities, which is a great place to start looking. Used buses can also be found in auctions and on the internet. Auctions sometimes sell buses where the original owner or owning business has shut down – this makes auctions an ideal avenue to find quality buses for low prices. When using the internet to find a used bus, look for a dealer that has a professional site and is close to or in your region. This is so that you can physically check the merchandise (preferably with a professional inspector) before making your purchase.

Budget your Bus!

Buying a used bus is only the start of your costs, and depending on what you will be using it for (determined above), the additional costs may even outweigh the purchase price. First of all, the obvious costs associated with buses are fuel, licensing and insurance. IF your bus will be traveling great distance or in any event putting on a large amount of mileage, you may want to look at the miles/kilometres per gallon. Inquiring about insurance costs with an insurance broker once you have found a used bus you like and have determined what you will be using it for can provide you important information and options you would otherwise have overlooked. Perhaps even more important, inquire about the bus parts and their availability. A bus that breaks down and uses parts that cannot be easily found can incur tremendous costs. Bring the bus specs to some local repair shops and find out if they have parts for the bus in stock and have the ability and certifications to work on the bus you are planning to purchase. If you do purchase the bus, make a deal with the shop to have the common turnover parts in- store or in the warehouse. In return, use that shop for maintenance and upkeep so that the shop is getting your business but more importantly getting to know the workings of your bus.

What to Look for Before Buying

Ok, you’ve decided what you need the bus for, what the costs will be for running the bus and what mechanic you will be using to maintain and repair the bus. You’re ready to buy, right? Not quite. Even if the ‘perfect’ bus you have in mind is being sold by a reputable dealer, you still need to look over the bus to make sure there are no ‘surprises’ after your purchase. Here are some things you should look for.

Rust is something that should be examined first. If there is rust on the main body of the bus, repair may inexpensive or not necessary. Keep in mind that rust patches will continue to grow if not fixed or patched. If there is rust on other, more important places, be wary. Rust on the bumpers is a bad sign. Further, if the frame itself is rusting or any other important part of the structure, you should probably look for another used bus. Also, if other parts are rusting, such as the hood’s hinges, it could be an indication of other problems and should be thoroughly examined.

Buses with automatic transmissions are in much higher demand than ones with manual transmission. For that reason, you may want to look for an automatic transmission for reselling purposes. Automatic transmissions are much easier to drive as well. If the bus will be making long trips, then the bus driver will have a much easier time with an automatic transmission. On the other hand, a used bus with a manual transmission may be much cheaper. Decide what best fits your needs. Obviously, when buying a used bus or any vehicle, you want to make sure it’s in good working condition. A good way to do this is to check for leaks underneath the bus. Are there oil leak marks or transmission fluid leak marks on the ground? In some cases, if a dealer is aware you are coming to see the bus, they will move it (not necessarily to hide leaks but also to make it more convenient to view).

For that reason, when checking the undercarriage of the bus, check the parts for excess oil or other residues that would indicate that there are leaks under the bus. Again, in this case, a professional inspector is a good idea. Inspectors can be somewhat pricey, but in comparison to a used bus purchase their cost is infinitesimal and can save you a lot of stress and money in the long run. The engine of the bus is very important. Not just the running condition of the engine but the size and type. The condition of the engine is important of course, and starting and driving the bus is essential before buying.

Look for stalls (obviously), and high revving engines. If an engine revs too high it may have been adjusted to stop it from stalling. Further, the engine may be too small for the bus. The size and power of the engine is important – as a general rule, the bigger the engine the better. Remember, when you are test driving the used bus, it is considerably lighter than it will be when it’s full of people or cargo! If the bus is having trouble carrying itself, it will run into even greater difficulty when taxed with extra load.

Inspection

Noted throughout this article is the need for a professional inspection. When making any big purchase, having a second, professional opinion is imperative. After following the above guidelines and deciding on a bus, hire a professional to take a look and give you advice. Not only will the professional find problems (or positives) you may have overlooked, they can also look at the asking price and give you an adequate assessment.

Chances are, if the asking price is too high, and the dealer sees you with a professional, they will be more willing to negotiate a lower price – in many cases the price difference can well exceed the cost of the professional inspector! Good luck buying your used bus and remember not to rush into you purchase – a bus is an investment, make sure you treat it as such!


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