Buying a car owned by the council.

Buying a car owned by the council.

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Discussion

SebastienClement

Original Poster:

1,952 posts

141 months

Sunday 5th May 2013
quotequote all
There is a car that I wish to register my interest in buying from the council when it comes up for sale.

I have got the name for the head of 'fleet services' of the council in question, but I've as yet been able to get through on the phone. I do have an email address - to which I've had no response.

Does anyone have any tips for dealing with this sort of thing?

I'm not looking to ask them if they're selling now, but I'd like to see whether I can register interest now for when they do look to get rid of it.

The car is an '02 plate (but on a private plate at the moment), and judging by their past record, is overdue for renewal.

Ta in advance.

SebastienClement

Original Poster:

1,952 posts

141 months

Sunday 5th May 2013
quotequote all
the pips said:
You're guaranteed a reply if you make if a freedom of Information request. Perhaps ask for a list of vehicles, age and retirement date. Might as well also ask their disposal policy. FoI seem to be used more by companies looking for business opportunities so why not join them?

Regards
Doug
D'oh seems obvious now! That's really useful, thank you smile

I shall fill the forms in now smile

SebastienClement

Original Poster:

1,952 posts

141 months

Sunday 5th May 2013
quotequote all
davepoth said:
10p says it's an LWB Rover 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE with a flag on the bonnet.
Not quite :P

It's an LWB Club SE 2.0 CDTi (although seems to have all the connie bits?).

But it does have a flag. But I don't really want that bit.

SebastienClement

Original Poster:

1,952 posts

141 months

Sunday 5th May 2013
quotequote all
mini1380cc said:
It could also backfire. As someone who receives foi requests, simply for that company to gain is quite high now. It's the wrong way to build up rapport in business. If I taken your request I would give you the bare minimum that is required, then make a mental note to avoid in future.
Ok, so in your opinion what's the best way for me to proceed?

I want to keep them as sweet as possible, for obvious reasons!

SebastienClement

Original Poster:

1,952 posts

141 months

Sunday 5th May 2013
quotequote all
kcrimson said:
It would be worth checking the registration number on HPI.

Depending on which Council it is, they may have leased the vehicle whick means title rests with the leasing company.

HPI will have a finance register flagged if this is the case.
I can pretty much guarantee the vehicle won't be leased. It's 11 years old from a defunct manufacturer.

@Davepoth - It confused me too. I thought "Vanden Plas" replaced the connoisseur denotation and was the only trim level for the LWB one. But if you run the reg through the DVLA is comes back as a club se. Peculiar!

SebastienClement

Original Poster:

1,952 posts

141 months

Sunday 5th May 2013
quotequote all
davepoth said:
Apparently if you ordered in special limo spec you got all of the connoisseur bits as standard.

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...

The local mayor used to live on my street a few years ago. Our council had a LWB 75 with a flag too. biggrin
I believe in addition to my local council, there were at least two other known "mayors cars" one in Gateshead & one merseyside somewhere.

SebastienClement

Original Poster:

1,952 posts

141 months

Sunday 5th May 2013
quotequote all
I'll also add it's not the Mayors first car. He has a Jag for that. Actually it could be the deputy Mayors? I'll have to find out.

But it is a Labour council, so y'know, they might be itching to spend.

Anyway, like I said, I can wait. I really want to register my interest for when they do want to shift it on.

SebastienClement

Original Poster:

1,952 posts

141 months

Sunday 5th May 2013
quotequote all
Just found a newspaper article from our local rag about the two numberplates they have for the Lord Mayor's cars. The cars are listed as a 2011 Jaguar Sovereign, and a Nissan Leaf (shown to be wearing the Rover's plate).

However the DVLA reckon the Rover was taxed at the beginning of this month, and is still wearing the plates?

SebastienClement

Original Poster:

1,952 posts

141 months

Sunday 5th May 2013
quotequote all
Gareth79 said:
I would agree that FOI would simply annoy everybody involved, not a good option.

As mentioned try and attack the problem from a different direction, somebody who can gently prod the fleet manager or tell you who might be dealing with it. Options are the PR/marketing people, the main customer service desk to mention that you haven't had a reply - if you are a local taxpayer try and work in something about being "disappointed" wink

A while ago I was told that fire engines are sold by sealed bid, ie. you offer a flat price and the highest gets it. Along these lines you could write to them mentioning you are interested, and if you are confident you think you know a fair price, say that you are willing to buy it at £X until a certain date. It might be worth copying to the finance department if they are concerned with that side of things (ie. getting the best return for assets).

At the end of the day if you think you are willing to pay more than anybody else then they can't overlook you when selling it.
Useful advice, thank you.

Unfortunately I don't live within the council in questions area. I'm about 2 miles outside of it. Which is a shame!

SebastienClement

Original Poster:

1,952 posts

141 months

Monday 6th May 2013
quotequote all
bks.

After some trawling the council website - and in the end tweeting to the Mayor...

It seems the car I was after was indeed sold in 2010. The Rover 75 still in service is a stretched Rover 75 fashioned out of a Club Se.

Edited by SebastienClement on Monday 6th May 01:09