How do I check a windshield repair business’s mobile vans before buying?

In a mostly mobile windshield business, the vans are the shop. The work happens in driveways, parking lots and fleet yards, so the vans carry the glass, the tools and much of the owner’s daily routine. A buyer who inspects only the books can miss a worn-out fleet, a financed van that is not part of the sale, or a technician who treats a van as his own. Check each van one at a time.

Who owns each van

Start with the ownership documents for every van. Ask whether it is owned outright, financed, leased, or held personally by the owner rather than by the company. Ask your lawyer how a van the company does not own would be handled in a sale. Ask a lawyer to search for registered claims against the vans and to explain what must be cleared or assumed at closing. Ask the lender what it needs if a financed van is staying.

Condition, racks and upfitting

Look at each van in person, ideally with a mechanic you trust. Check the glass racks, the tie-downs, the shelving, the power and the heating or cooling the technicians rely on. Ask what was added by the owner and what came with the vehicle. Upfitting that is worn or unsafe is a replacement cost you will carry, so write down what you see and bring it into the conversation about the terms.

Maintenance records and who drives what

Ask for service records, repair invoices and any accident history. Gaps are worth a question, not an accusation. Then ask which technician drives which van, who is responsible for its upkeep, and whether any technician owns tools or equipment inside it. If a technician leaves after closing, you want to know what leaves with him.

• Ownership or lease papers for every van
• Details of any financing and who pays it
• Service records and any accident history
• A list of the tools and equipment in each van, and who owns them

What the agreement should list

The purchase agreement should name each van you are buying, along with its equipment and any items that are excluded. Your lawyer can also tell you how insurance and registration move over. Before closing, confirm that the vans you inspected are the vans you receive. See also how to check hoists and shop equipment before buying a repair shop for the same approach applied to a fixed location.