Minibus Club Article Archive

‘Not rain, nor sleet, nor snow nor hail will keep this messenger from his appointed rounds.’ This motto served the Pony Express over its 19-month life on its 1,966-mile route from April 1860. To a great extent, none of these circumstances, in moderation at least, will keep a minibus from reaching its destination. However, there are conditions that can and will stop a minibus. In practical terms, it makes sense to know the difference between what is comfortably possible and what is dangerously optimistic. Applying this knowledge astutely makes even more sense. Here are some tips for fulfilling your appointed rounds.

1. Plan your minibus journey carefully. Even when a tachograph is neither legally required nor necessary, you, your minibus and your passengers have limits. How far can you, it or they travel in a given time? There’s a distinction between being hopeful and being overconfident.

2. Have your minibus serviced. Regular, expert servicing can make the difference between arriving unfazed and a trip home on a low loader. This is especially important when a long trip is planned. Don’t be tempted to skimp or make do.

3. Check your tyres. They need to be at the right pressure and in good shape. Tyres work hard and if they aren’t fit for the task, they’ll probably fail.

4. Keep the fuel level up. This is especially important when travelling late at night, overnight and/or on the Continent. Diesel fuel is readily available at reasonable hours but a minibus is a heavy vehicle to push! You could always carry a can of fuel as a backup but take care if your minibus is petrol powered.

5. Join a recovery service. Membership of the AA, RAC or Green Flag is good insurance if all else fails. Make sure that the concern involved knows you have a minibus, or they may not be able to get you home in dire circumstances.

6. Take appropriate items along on every trip. A torch, mobile phone, reflective jacket, warning triangle and your driving licence can keep you on the road. If driving in poor, winter conditions, take appropriate clothing, footwear, some chocolate and a flask full of tea or coffee.

7. Remember that in the worst conditions, your minibus can be stopped in its tracks. The vehicle’s sheer weight may provide a little more grip than a car enjoys. However, deep snow and icy roads can strand you all too easily. Diesel engines, especially those with an intercooler usually have a low-mounted air intake. Deep floodwater can be inhaled by the engine, which will immediately be wrecked.

8. Make sure you have the appropriate minibus insurance, of the kind that applies to your use of the vehicle. Having the wrong insurance may not stop you physically but can have serious repercussions, especially following an accident or even a police spot check.

9. Keep this significant point in mind. Whether providing a service for a fee or on a voluntary basis, it is you as the driver, who are responsible for your passengers. Make sure you know about any special needs they may have and keep safety as your watchword at all times.

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The Minibus Club is a specialist minibus insurance provider and has offered UK minibus insurance quotes since 1997. Visit their website for minibus driving advice and to receive a free online quote for minibus insurance.

Buying a used minibus can make a lot of sense. Buying unwisely can cause a great deal of hassle but here are some tips to help you make an ideal purchase.

Buying a used minibus is much like buying any used vehicle and the following tips apply in every instance.

1. In buying from a dealer, you pay more but you benefit from warranty protection, Dealers must also provide an HPI check; if buying privately, arrange your own check. This will reveal any previous insurance claims, outstanding hire purchase or the vehicle’s having been stolen or written off.

2. A minibus with a service history is always a better buy. Look for a dealer’s service record, or one from a reputable servicing firm at least.

3. If the vehicle has had MOT tests, examine its previous certificates and check that the mileages tally.

4. Examine the minibus’s bodywork carefully. Impact damage will be evident especially at the vehicle’s extremities. Look for ill-fitting panels, welded repairs and mismatched areas of paint.

5. Scrutinise the tyres. Strange wear patterns suggest suspension damage, while cracked sidewalls show that the tyres are ageing. Look for lumps and/or cuts in the tyre carcasses and remember that three millimetres of tread or less spells imminent replacement.

6. Look under the bonnet. Some dirt is acceptable but if the engine has rust, coolant stains and thick black oil in the sump, the service record is probably an on-paper fantasy.

7. Find the minibus’s VIN plate and check that the number tallies with that in the documentation.

8. Look carefully at the driver’s seat and controls. Shiny pedals, wear on the steering wheel, a worn driver’s seat and sloppy door furniture suggests that the mileage is astronomically high. Be rightly suspicious if the seat, carpet, pedal rubbers and speedometer appear unduly immaculate!

9. Remember to budget for insurance costs, running costs and the cost of any necessary repairs.

10. Check that older models comply with current safety and seatbelt regulations.

11. If a wheelchair lift is fitted, ensure it meets BS1609, has a safe working load of 300kg and meets Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (1998).

12. Never buy a minibus without a rigorous test drive. This should be over a distance that lets the engine and transmission warm thoroughly. Include traffic driving and a spell on a motorway, or at least on a dual carriageway. Ensure that the minibus performs as expected, with no untoward noises or emissions (check for the latter in the rear view mirror, especially when accelerating). Remember to try the brakes, clutch, gearbox and steering in a realistic manner.

Above all, be aware of this. You may be examining a minibus made by Ford, Fiat, Mercedes Benz, LDV or whoever. The secret of buying a used minibus, especially from a private seller (against whom you have very little comeback) is quite simple. Remember that you aren’t looking at the only Fiat, Ford, etc, minibus in the country – there are many others. This means that if you are in any doubt at all, you can vote with your feet by walking away.

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If you’d like to save money on your minibus insurance, look no further than The Minibus Club. Request a FREE quote now by calling our hotline on 08456090323 or visit our website at www.minibusclub.co.uk