Buying used dumpers might seem like
a good idea. They’re good for removing large amounts of waste in a matter of
minutes. If you don’t take proper precautions you could find yourself without a
place to store it, a broken dumpster, or a vehicle you paid too much for. Bear
in mind some of these tips before purchasing a used dumper.
Insurance
Dumpers are vehicles like any other.
If you can get in it and drive it around you need proper insurance. Talk to
your insurer about your policy and whether it covers a dumper. Some insurance
companies might require a different type of policy to keep you completely
covered.
These are heavy vehicles. Opt for
fully comprehensive cover. It’s easy to cause some serious damage with one of
these trucks. Third-party only cover could leave you dealing with a financial
black hole should anything go wrong.
Storage
In most places in the UK, you can’t
park one of these vehicles on the street. They’re too big and can clog the
entire road. If you have a driveway where you can put it, this is fine. Most
likely, you will have to organise a place in a garage or a secure storage
facility before buying. It’s more hassle, but it’s your only option for such a
large vehicle.
Factor the cost of any storage into
your costs before purchasing a second-hand vehicle.
Size
Choose the truck which suits your
needs. You can buy vehicles with up to 5 yards of storage space in the back or
larger trucks going all the way up to 40 yards of storage space. Assess your
needs first.
Registration
All vehicles have to be registered
in the UK. Check the registration documents of the seller. It’s unlikely to
happen, but you need to make sure the seller isn’t trying to palm you off with
a stolen piece of machinery. Ensure it’s registered to them before buying.
You’ll also need to transfer these
registration documents to yourself during the purchasing process. If you only
hand some money over and drive away, there’s no proof a purchase ever took
place.
Check the
Dumper
Inspect the vehicle to make sure
it’s up to standard. Ask to take it for a test drive. Test all the mechanisms
to see if they work. You should inspect it from the outside and behind the
wheel. Get in the cab and press every button. Get out of the cab and get the
seller to press every button. This ensures you’re buying something in good
working order.
Servicing
History
Ask to see a full record of the
vehicle’s servicing history. This gives you an idea of the sort of problems you
might have to deal with in the future. Used dumpers have nearly always had to
go in for servicing at some point. Knowing where problems have occurred in the
past can point you in the right direction should something go wrong.
And if it costs too much to service,
you might want to look elsewhere. But don’t get put off because of a servicing
history. A little extra work comes as standard, especially with older vehicles.
Tim Manson has written numerous
articles throughout the web when it comes to giving individuals advice about used dumpers.
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