Are a courier company’s old vehicles a hidden maintenance burden?
Only the records will tell you, so check them. Ask for the service history on each vehicle, the repair invoices, the downtime and the age at which the owner replaces vans. Have a mechanic look over the fleet. Older vehicles that are well documented can be fine; undocumented ones are a risk.
Make a list of every vehicle: make, year, mileage, condition and whether it is owned or financed. Then request the service history for each one. Look for regular oil changes, brake and tire work, and any repeat problems. Gaps in the record are the first warning.
Ask how often vehicles are off the road, and what that costs in missed routes or rented replacements. Look at repair spending over the last few years and see whether it is rising. A fleet that is cheap to own may be expensive to run.
Arrange for an independent mechanic to inspect the key vehicles before you commit. Ask them what they would replace soon and what it would cost. Include safety inspection records in the review, and ask who handles them. Consider replacement timing. If several vehicles are old, you may face a cluster of purchases early on. Ask your lender how they would treat that, and plan your cash flow accordingly. Ask also about insurance history and any accidents, since repeated claims on older vehicles can point to wear or to how they are driven. Ask who does the repairs, whether in-house or at an outside garage, and compare the rates they charge with what other shops quote you. Also ask whether spare parts are kept on hand for the most common faults, which can reduce downtime.
Key takeaways
- Get service history for each vehicle and look for gaps.
- Have an independent mechanic inspect the key vans or trucks.
- Plan for a cluster of replacements if the fleet is the same age.
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
- 02Transport CanadaGovernmentMotor carriers, commercial vehicles and drivers
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