How do I judge the condition of an airport shuttle’s vans and passenger seating?
Look at the vans the way a rider and a mechanic would. Test every seat, belt, door and step, look at floors and tires, review each van’s service file, and bring an independent mechanic. Heavy luggage and constant door use wear these vans faster than their age suggests.
Begin as a passenger. Sit in every row, pull every belt, open and close sliding doors repeatedly, step in and out with a bag and check the lighting at night. Torn seats, loose rails, sticky doors and a luggage space that rattles are all signs of rough use. Note the smell and the floor as well.
Then bring a mechanic. Ask them to look at tires, brakes, suspension, steering and the underbody, and to drive each van, including on a highway. Compare what they see with the service file. Check how often the vans are serviced, when major parts were last replaced and which vans spend time in the shop.
Finally, look at the bigger picture. Ask which vans the seller would replace first, and what that would cost. Ask your accountant how the vans are recorded and how depreciation was claimed. A separate appraisal of the fleet can help you and your lender talk about condition without guessing. Keep the findings in writing, and use them in your price discussion with your adviser’s help.
Key takeaways
- Sit in every row and test every belt, door and step before you open the hood.
- Have an independent mechanic drive each van, including on the highway.
- Compare the findings with each service file and note which vans spend time in the shop.
- Keep the findings in writing for your advisers.
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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
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentEquipment valuation: How to do it
- 03Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentWhat are the steps to buying a business?
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