Buying a lorry - any tips?

[EloiseBridgerton]

Hi

Looking to buy out first lorry in the next few weeks. It needs to take 3 ponies and preferably be a 22/23ft rather than a double decker size. We’re talking about buying something ancient so budget is around£7/8k. Any tips on what I should be asking? I’m aware need to be careful about the floor. Not sure what plated means! I have the right license to drive as —ancient—

Should add thank you!

Check the brakes, friend of ours bought a lorry on a similar budget and then had to find almost £2k within 3 weeks of purchase because the brakes were shot!

Wow! When you say check brakes do you mean take a mechanic? Sorry if that’s an obvious question!

Yes, take a mechanic with you - it could save you a lot of money and hassle!

Also make sure you see the weight certificate - if you need to carry three ponies check that you’ve also got enough payload for people, full tank of fuel, water, tack etc etc

Plating is the equivalent of an MOT for lorries above 3.5t

Bear in mind that cheap lorries are usually cheap for a reason - make sure you’ve got enough savings put aside for pretty regular repairs. And lorries hate sitting around - you’ll need to get out regularly to keep it happy!

Buy cheap, buy twice.

My advice would be to save up a while longer and increase your budget. Then save a bit more.
You could have your lorry years, it’s an investment. Spent your money on your lorry not on someone else’s money pit.

Agree with no problem
I spend quite a lot of time with kids with ponies and the current trend seems to be to buy a lorry asap, usually a really ancient one so they are perpetually breaking down/not starting
Would you be better with a. 3 pony trailer on that budget?

Check the weight certificate! A friend bought a "3.5T" lorry, drove it for a few years, got it weighed.....5T with ponies in!
Also if you can't take a mechanic with you, pay for an independent mechanic to go and give it the once over especially with an older, cheaper box - this saved me from buying what would have been a very expensive money pit of a box that looked find on the outside, and drove very well. He advised me to run away very fast.....

It isn’t just buying the lorry it is also maintenance. Often when one bit breaks down it has a knock on effect. I have just paid out 5000 thousand and it wasn’t a major problem either

Are you staying away a lot? How big are the ponies? If you're not away a lot, would it be easier to get a triple trailer and a bigger towing vehicle and have the occasional sleepover in the trailer? Savings on insurance, tax, mot/plating and maintenance over a couple of years quickly add up.