Second hand car purchase - Private hire vehicle history.
Discussion
Good morning all,
I'm looking for some advice and / or opinions if you may.
I am going to view a second hand car today which meets my requirements. Upon doing the usual internet checks I've found evidence that the car in question spent a year of its life as a private hire vehicle. Things appear as though the car spent its first 3 years as a private domestic vehicle, followed by a year in the hands of a private hire (taxi) company, it went to auction and found itself with the trader which I'm in discussion with at the moment.
I haven't seen the car yet. The mileage checks out, as does the 1 year of its life where it completed 25K miles. I've found the details of the private hire company and the private hire registration tag, confirming it was on the books as a private hire vehicle for 1 year. I'm assuming this was some sort of airport transfer vehicle (or similar) during that time due to the miles covered in the year. The company do not have great reviews in terms of customer service.
The trader in question states FSH which I will be checking. Photo's suggest a clean car with no holes for extra registration plates externally and there is no evidence of any meters being installed into the car. The trader I'm in discussion with hasn't mentioned anything about previous private hire ownership, but who is to know whether the guy is even aware of its past.
If you found yourselves in the market for a car which met your requirements and found this nugget of history, would it put you off? Is there anything over and above the norm which I should check when viewing the car? I've bought and sold many cars in my lifetime, so know what to look for normally. But, is there anything extra to consider in this instance?
Thanks in advance to anyone whom reads or responds.
I'm looking for some advice and / or opinions if you may.
I am going to view a second hand car today which meets my requirements. Upon doing the usual internet checks I've found evidence that the car in question spent a year of its life as a private hire vehicle. Things appear as though the car spent its first 3 years as a private domestic vehicle, followed by a year in the hands of a private hire (taxi) company, it went to auction and found itself with the trader which I'm in discussion with at the moment.
I haven't seen the car yet. The mileage checks out, as does the 1 year of its life where it completed 25K miles. I've found the details of the private hire company and the private hire registration tag, confirming it was on the books as a private hire vehicle for 1 year. I'm assuming this was some sort of airport transfer vehicle (or similar) during that time due to the miles covered in the year. The company do not have great reviews in terms of customer service.
The trader in question states FSH which I will be checking. Photo's suggest a clean car with no holes for extra registration plates externally and there is no evidence of any meters being installed into the car. The trader I'm in discussion with hasn't mentioned anything about previous private hire ownership, but who is to know whether the guy is even aware of its past.
If you found yourselves in the market for a car which met your requirements and found this nugget of history, would it put you off? Is there anything over and above the norm which I should check when viewing the car? I've bought and sold many cars in my lifetime, so know what to look for normally. But, is there anything extra to consider in this instance?
Thanks in advance to anyone whom reads or responds.
I think you're wrong to assume that 25k miles a year = long airport runs. Pretty sure you could clock that up fairly easily if you were spending 8 hours a day doing shorter runs.
What makes this car special? In other words - what makes it more appealing than a car that doesn't have this history?
What makes this car special? In other words - what makes it more appealing than a car that doesn't have this history?
My view is I thought most cabbies kept their vehicles until they were pretty much dead assuming they are reliable?
I would personally think if a private hire company has got rid of a vehicle which hasn't got astronomical miles on it then theres probably some reliability issues, I could be completely wrong though
I would personally think if a private hire company has got rid of a vehicle which hasn't got astronomical miles on it then theres probably some reliability issues, I could be completely wrong though
Can't say it would put me off, but it would make me slightly more wary.
I would suggest a thorough & pedantic look over of all the normal areas - open everything that opens, look a shut lines, boot floor, inner wings, gutters & so forth. Check closely for wear related stuff like steering wheel, gear knob, bolsters. Insist on a test drive from cold to warm.
At the age & mileage I would expect some wear related marks, stone chips & so forth, if the car has been obviously refurbished before viewing I would be wary as the refurb could hide a multitude of sins.
It's perfectly reasonable to expect that the car could be genuine & to put it into perspective consider that some franchised dealer stock at 1 year plus old may have previously been leased to rental companies..... so some of that shiny, respectable franchised dealer used stock has in fact already been driven like it's been stolen on a regular basis!
I would suggest a thorough & pedantic look over of all the normal areas - open everything that opens, look a shut lines, boot floor, inner wings, gutters & so forth. Check closely for wear related stuff like steering wheel, gear knob, bolsters. Insist on a test drive from cold to warm.
At the age & mileage I would expect some wear related marks, stone chips & so forth, if the car has been obviously refurbished before viewing I would be wary as the refurb could hide a multitude of sins.
It's perfectly reasonable to expect that the car could be genuine & to put it into perspective consider that some franchised dealer stock at 1 year plus old may have previously been leased to rental companies..... so some of that shiny, respectable franchised dealer used stock has in fact already been driven like it's been stolen on a regular basis!
Edited by Novexx on Monday 4th November 20:33
I'm doing around 25k a year at the moment. One day a week I drive to Tunbridge Wells and back (approx 200 mile round trip), the rest of the week it's within a 5-10 mile radius of home and maybe 20 miles each way on a Saturday.
I don't think my mileage usage is especially excessive, and would expect a private hire to be far more than that
I don't think my mileage usage is especially excessive, and would expect a private hire to be far more than that
What car is it?
This might indicate if it has been used for town work or mainly motorway mileage, which is probably less of an issue.
To give you an idea I averaged 95k miles a year doing airport, long distance chauffeuring, 25k miles, if correct,would suggest short run town work, putting far more stress /wear on the car generally.
This might indicate if it has been used for town work or mainly motorway mileage, which is probably less of an issue.
To give you an idea I averaged 95k miles a year doing airport, long distance chauffeuring, 25k miles, if correct,would suggest short run town work, putting far more stress /wear on the car generally.
Edited by Monkeylegend on Monday 4th November 21:28
Monkeylegend said:
What car is it?
This might indicate if it has been used for town work of mainly motorway mileage, which is probably less of an issue.
To give you an idea I averaged 95k miles a year doing airport, long distance chauffeuring, 25k miles, if correct,would suggest short run town work, putting far more stress /wear on the car generally.
Off topic (sorry OP), but blimey that’s a lot of miles in a year...what sort of effect did that have on you physically/mentally if you don’t mind saying? This might indicate if it has been used for town work of mainly motorway mileage, which is probably less of an issue.
To give you an idea I averaged 95k miles a year doing airport, long distance chauffeuring, 25k miles, if correct,would suggest short run town work, putting far more stress /wear on the car generally.
Was it worth it/would you do it again?
What sort of cars were you driving?
Sorry to bombard you with questions but I’m fascinated
that’s 4-5x what I do now and that knackers me out; I’m only 23. it certainly wont have spent a year doing airport transfers and only have covered 25k
run an airport transfer and taxi company up in Scotland,
ir taxis cover 60-70k a year cars on airport only work cover anything up to 100k a year if not more depending on the driver
covered 100k or so haircut then punted on for a minimal loss, and recorded mileage for tax purposes
run an airport transfer and taxi company up in Scotland,
ir taxis cover 60-70k a year cars on airport only work cover anything up to 100k a year if not more depending on the driver
covered 100k or so haircut then punted on for a minimal loss, and recorded mileage for tax purposes
Jbeale96 said:
Monkeylegend said:
What car is it?
This might indicate if it has been used for town work of mainly motorway mileage, which is probably less of an issue.
To give you an idea I averaged 95k miles a year doing airport, long distance chauffeuring, 25k miles, if correct,would suggest short run town work, putting far more stress /wear on the car generally.
Off topic (sorry OP), but blimey that’s a lot of miles in a year...what sort of effect did that have on you physically/mentally if you don’t mind saying? This might indicate if it has been used for town work of mainly motorway mileage, which is probably less of an issue.
To give you an idea I averaged 95k miles a year doing airport, long distance chauffeuring, 25k miles, if correct,would suggest short run town work, putting far more stress /wear on the car generally.
Was it worth it/would you do it again?
What sort of cars were you driving?
Sorry to bombard you with questions but I’m fascinated
that’s 4-5x what I do now and that knackers me out; I’m only 23. Prior to that I was working for a very large company at a fairly senior level with all the stress that entailed and there is no feeling like working for yourself, being your own boss, so mentally it was a massive improvement for my well being.
Physically I sat for hours driving automatic Merc E220's which in themselves were very comfortable and easy to drive, but I do now suffer from right knee and right hip problems.
I sold the business and retired early 4 years ago and wouldn't do it again into the future with all the issues now facing motoring in general, but would go back to when I started and do it all again.
Sorry about the thread drift OP
Just to add I am down to about 7k miles a year for the last 4 years.
Edited by Monkeylegend on Monday 4th November 21:51
Monkeylegend said:
Jbeale96 said:
Monkeylegend said:
What car is it?
This might indicate if it has been used for town work of mainly motorway mileage, which is probably less of an issue.
To give you an idea I averaged 95k miles a year doing airport, long distance chauffeuring, 25k miles, if correct,would suggest short run town work, putting far more stress /wear on the car generally.
Off topic (sorry OP), but blimey that’s a lot of miles in a year...what sort of effect did that have on you physically/mentally if you don’t mind saying? This might indicate if it has been used for town work of mainly motorway mileage, which is probably less of an issue.
To give you an idea I averaged 95k miles a year doing airport, long distance chauffeuring, 25k miles, if correct,would suggest short run town work, putting far more stress /wear on the car generally.
Was it worth it/would you do it again?
What sort of cars were you driving?
Sorry to bombard you with questions but I’m fascinated
that’s 4-5x what I do now and that knackers me out; I’m only 23. Prior to that I was working for a very large company at a fairly senior level with all the stress that entailed and there is no feeling like working for yourself, being your own boss, so mentally it was a massive improvement for my well being.
Physically I sat for hours driving automatic Merc E220's which in themselves were very comfortable and easy to drive, but I do now suffer from right knee and right hip problems.
I sold the business and retired early 4 years ago and wouldn't do it again into the future with all the issues now facing motoring in general, but would go back to when I started and do it all again.
Sorry about the thread drift OP
Just to add I am down to about 7k miles a year for the last 4 years.
Edited by Monkeylegend on Monday 4th November 21:51
I would love to jack it all in and spend my days wafting up and down the country in various luxobarges, but I wouldn’t even know where to start
Anyway, I’ll stop hijacking the thread now
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