Skoda superb - ex private hire advice
Discussion
New here and need advice - purchasing used car ex-private hire flagged on search. Owned by charity 24x7 who do school/hospital runs for kids.
Placed deposit on a 2024 plate skoda with 12k on the clock. Asked about ownership just said private owned etc. the car just been serviced by the approved dealer selling it. It was alot of phone calls to agree price while i was working.
Anyway just thought id do a vehicle check and flagged as private hire. The car looks immaculate to be fair and still has 2 years warranty.
When i seen taxi registry flag i had immediate concerns due to low mileage but softened somewhat now.
Am i right to be concerned i tend to overthink things thanks to OCD so stress and anxiety is through the roof.
My main concern is if its been used as an actual private hire/odometer change as a side hustle or get stung on the eventual resale but years away if i take the car.
Anyone been in similiar position? Or actually know much about the charity
Placed deposit on a 2024 plate skoda with 12k on the clock. Asked about ownership just said private owned etc. the car just been serviced by the approved dealer selling it. It was alot of phone calls to agree price while i was working.
Anyway just thought id do a vehicle check and flagged as private hire. The car looks immaculate to be fair and still has 2 years warranty.
When i seen taxi registry flag i had immediate concerns due to low mileage but softened somewhat now.
Am i right to be concerned i tend to overthink things thanks to OCD so stress and anxiety is through the roof.
My main concern is if its been used as an actual private hire/odometer change as a side hustle or get stung on the eventual resale but years away if i take the car.
Anyone been in similiar position? Or actually know much about the charity
Uni68 said:
New here and need advice - purchasing used car ex-private hire flagged on search. Owned by charity 24x7 who do school/hospital runs for kids.
Placed deposit on a 2024 plate skoda with 12k on the clock. Asked about ownership just said private owned etc. the car just been serviced by the approved dealer selling it. It was alot of phone calls to agree price while i was working.
Anyway just thought id do a vehicle check and flagged as private hire. The car looks immaculate to be fair and still has 2 years warranty.
When i seen taxi registry flag i had immediate concerns due to low mileage but softened somewhat now.
Am i right to be concerned i tend to overthink things thanks to OCD so stress and anxiety is through the roof.
My main concern is if its been used as an actual private hire/odometer change as a side hustle or get stung on the eventual resale but years away if i take the car
Anyone been in similiar position? Or actually know much about the charity
If the Charity is providing school / hospital transport on a "for hire or reward" basis then its likely that a private hire licence will have been required. Friend of mine used to drive similar school run vehicles and he had to obtain a private hire licence from the council. If you are having doubts then when you come to sell other purchasers will be having doubtsPlaced deposit on a 2024 plate skoda with 12k on the clock. Asked about ownership just said private owned etc. the car just been serviced by the approved dealer selling it. It was alot of phone calls to agree price while i was working.
Anyway just thought id do a vehicle check and flagged as private hire. The car looks immaculate to be fair and still has 2 years warranty.
When i seen taxi registry flag i had immediate concerns due to low mileage but softened somewhat now.
Am i right to be concerned i tend to overthink things thanks to OCD so stress and anxiety is through the roof.
My main concern is if its been used as an actual private hire/odometer change as a side hustle or get stung on the eventual resale but years away if i take the car
Anyone been in similiar position? Or actually know much about the charity
Google's your friend, to start:
24x7 is a Ltd Co, not a charity - and a decent size one, at that. ~£50m turnover. Customers are local authorities who have a duty to provide school transport.
https://find-and-update.company-information.servic...
As it's school runs it should be limited to just a morning and afternoon run during term time. I've no idea what they do with cars (or staff!) during school holidays...
Seems unlikely that they'd be risk their reputation by clocking their fleet.
24x7 is a Ltd Co, not a charity - and a decent size one, at that. ~£50m turnover. Customers are local authorities who have a duty to provide school transport.
https://find-and-update.company-information.servic...
As it's school runs it should be limited to just a morning and afternoon run during term time. I've no idea what they do with cars (or staff!) during school holidays...
Seems unlikely that they'd be risk their reputation by clocking their fleet.
Sorry 12k on the clock, that's a strangely 'average' normal use mileage.
Personally i wouldn't go near a average mileage taxi. They are business tools and rightfully so used all day to their intent.
No one spends close to 30k to drive 30mins in the morning then 30mins in the afternoon.
Plus at that age it won't show say 50k miles use.
Go elsewhere, don't listen to the sellers honey poured into your ears.
Personally i wouldn't go near a average mileage taxi. They are business tools and rightfully so used all day to their intent.
No one spends close to 30k to drive 30mins in the morning then 30mins in the afternoon.
Plus at that age it won't show say 50k miles use.
Go elsewhere, don't listen to the sellers honey poured into your ears.
Hugo Stiglitz said:
No one spends close to 30k to drive 30mins in the morning then 30mins in the afternoon.
Plenty on here do, I'm sure...That's exactly what 24x7 do. Newish vehicles, not insured for private use, allocated to a single driver who's a permanent (but part-time) employee.
There's a sh*tload of money in these contracts...
Sunday Drive said:
How much are you saving over a privately owned one without a taxi flag on it?
In fairness half are flagging up with taxi registrations and not many on the market that fit my requirements. My father in law is a cabby and drives one as does most of his friends. Given the spec id probably be paying closer to 28k possibly but haven't seen any that new to give an accurate picture latest is 2023 with double the mileage and condition issues for the same price. The difficulty i have right now is i buy cars and run it to the ground but keep it in good nick. My v60 has gone early due to driving with a previous job (short miles for 2 years but back on a 100 mile commute and 10 years old now)sprang 3 issues at the same time which outweighs the cost of keeping it and we only have the one car.
Car is 25k so right at the top of my price bracket. Missed out on 3 this week and 1 i reserved but later found out had 4 owners in as many years.
silentbrown said:
Plenty on here do, I'm sure...
That's exactly what 24x7 do. Newish vehicles, not insured for private use, allocated to a single driver who's a permanent (but part-time) employee.
There's a sh*tload of money in these contracts...
This is the thing. Ive never thought about them but when i worked public sector i did alot of conversions for SEN people to meet their needs for planning applications and the cost of the contract to give proper support is just extortionate so id imagine lightly used car even though it looks dodgy as was my initial reaction probably makes finacial sense in a way but still on the fenceThat's exactly what 24x7 do. Newish vehicles, not insured for private use, allocated to a single driver who's a permanent (but part-time) employee.
There's a sh*tload of money in these contracts...
24x7 may no longer have that contract to take the child to school, they either may have lost the contract whilst being retendered or the child may have changed schools or left school altogether.
My next door neighbours boyfriend has a part time job taking a child in the morning to school and taking them home in the afternoon, I was talking to him last week and he said that one of the requirements was that the car had to be fully liveried in the taxi's livery. Skoda Octavia estate rather than a Superb.
If there are doubts in your mind then walk away, although I'd be asking Skoda as to why its flagged as a private hire vehicle rather than privately owned.
My next door neighbours boyfriend has a part time job taking a child in the morning to school and taking them home in the afternoon, I was talking to him last week and he said that one of the requirements was that the car had to be fully liveried in the taxi's livery. Skoda Octavia estate rather than a Superb.
If there are doubts in your mind then walk away, although I'd be asking Skoda as to why its flagged as a private hire vehicle rather than privately owned.
66HFM said:
If there are doubts in your mind then walk away, although I'd be asking Skoda as to why its flagged as a private hire vehicle rather than privately owned.
Because it's a private hire vehicle, owned by a commerical entity transporting passengers for financial reward?The question about warranty is relevant. Manufacturer's original warranty should still apply, but you may not be able to get extended warranty if it's been used for private hire.
OutInTheShed said:
Hugo Stiglitz said:
....
No one spends close to 30k to drive 30mins in the morning then 30mins in the afternoon.
.....
You're right, they don't.No one spends close to 30k to drive 30mins in the morning then 30mins in the afternoon.
.....
They lease it for maybe £600 a month and make multiples of that pimping it out to the council.
I personally wouldn't be worried at all. From the information provided I'd probably lean on the side that the servicing etc have all been carried out properly by the company / leasing company. And the car is unlikely going to be driven poorly as it's carrying precious cargo.
Monkeylegend said:
I have read online that Skoda says the warranty is invalidated if used for PH work.
Best to check with them direct though.
24/7 have a base by my work and its full of new or nearly new skodas and Kias being used as school/holiday camp type transport.Best to check with them direct though.
I'll take a guess the reg starts with an E? Would have been supplied new by Trans City Skoda.
The mileage is probably believeable they arent in use all day every day like a normal cabbie.
But as above I would want written confirmation from the dealer the manufacturers warranty is still valid, and also expect it to be a sticking point when you come to sell as it will flat as PH.
Monkeylegend said:
I have read online that Skoda says the warranty is invalidated if used for PH work.
There's no mention of any exclusion in the manufacturer warranty.https://www.skoda.co.uk/_doc/148825d2-9edf-4ab3-b9...
.. but the used warranty is cancelled if *you* use it as a taxi. (Irrelevant here, as the used warranty would expire before the manufacturer one)
https://www.skoda.co.uk/_doc/fc81d310-f12d-4668-96...
Monkeylegend said:
Best to check with them direct though.
Yes 
Hi thanks all for the advice. Sorry late to respond as new user restricts the number of posts.
Ive decided to pass on the car. After a brief chat with skoda warranty on friday they confirmed that because of the private hire flag it would be excluded for extended warranty even though i wouldnt be using it as such. Given the price tag i could argue with the dealer to extend the warranty outright but if the ph is already causing issues before ive even got it id rather not bother.
Luckily, same car from same fleet popped up locally with half the mileage at 6k. Another 2l tdi with a few added extras This car hasnt been registered as a private hire and the dealer has also offered the highest offer for my car at £4,900 (700 more than the nearest offer). It drove well although a bit loud depending on surface was my only concern. Its a local dealer but still under warranty. Said i wanted skoda stamp to keep warranty active as its on fixed term and hasnt been done yet and to confirm no marks on this vehicle with skoda to ensure extended warranty.
As i said brilliant car my only gripe is the road noise on some surfaces.
However, to throw a spanner in the works ive also seen a XC40 full electric local. Looks in great condition and fits needs for typical journeys with the range for long distance the only concern. I can charge at home (if i get a charger) and work. Not sure whether to go the full electric route yet and whether this is good fit for the family only 3 of us plus the dog but its slightly smaller than my current car.
The xc40 is 25k with 30k mileage and 2021. The superb is 2024 with 6600 miles at 26k but the part ex balances things.
I feel the current superb estate ive found ticks all the boxes for me except the road noise so change of tyres/soundproofing may be considered later.
The issue i have is somewhat unknowns going forwars with diesel and people have got into my head about dpfs but current mileage (10.5k motorway alone and 2k bog standard trips) would mean unlikely dpf issues and a diesel would be better for 100 mile motorway trip rather than petrol). Whilst it would depreciate in value i do intend to keep it for as long as possible whereas i dont know how long an ev could last or resale values. Perhaps it would balance out newer car/less mileage i.e in four years if i got rid it would sit at 50k rather than 80k on an ev?
Xc40 looks a decent car but bit on the small side generally speaking but i do love volvos. Any thoughts on this appreciated.
Ive decided to pass on the car. After a brief chat with skoda warranty on friday they confirmed that because of the private hire flag it would be excluded for extended warranty even though i wouldnt be using it as such. Given the price tag i could argue with the dealer to extend the warranty outright but if the ph is already causing issues before ive even got it id rather not bother.
Luckily, same car from same fleet popped up locally with half the mileage at 6k. Another 2l tdi with a few added extras This car hasnt been registered as a private hire and the dealer has also offered the highest offer for my car at £4,900 (700 more than the nearest offer). It drove well although a bit loud depending on surface was my only concern. Its a local dealer but still under warranty. Said i wanted skoda stamp to keep warranty active as its on fixed term and hasnt been done yet and to confirm no marks on this vehicle with skoda to ensure extended warranty.
As i said brilliant car my only gripe is the road noise on some surfaces.
However, to throw a spanner in the works ive also seen a XC40 full electric local. Looks in great condition and fits needs for typical journeys with the range for long distance the only concern. I can charge at home (if i get a charger) and work. Not sure whether to go the full electric route yet and whether this is good fit for the family only 3 of us plus the dog but its slightly smaller than my current car.
The xc40 is 25k with 30k mileage and 2021. The superb is 2024 with 6600 miles at 26k but the part ex balances things.
I feel the current superb estate ive found ticks all the boxes for me except the road noise so change of tyres/soundproofing may be considered later.
The issue i have is somewhat unknowns going forwars with diesel and people have got into my head about dpfs but current mileage (10.5k motorway alone and 2k bog standard trips) would mean unlikely dpf issues and a diesel would be better for 100 mile motorway trip rather than petrol). Whilst it would depreciate in value i do intend to keep it for as long as possible whereas i dont know how long an ev could last or resale values. Perhaps it would balance out newer car/less mileage i.e in four years if i got rid it would sit at 50k rather than 80k on an ev?
Xc40 looks a decent car but bit on the small side generally speaking but i do love volvos. Any thoughts on this appreciated.
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