As one of the UK’s leading vehicle dealers, Drew Wilson Coach Sales offers the complete package for buying secondhand
Purchasing a new vehicle – whether it’s brand new or secondhand – can be a time of excitement and trepidation
While is a big investment, it is necessary for keeping fleets fresh and ably serving customers for years to come. Another necessity is finding a vehicle dealer you can rely on.
Founded in 2002 by Drew Wilson, Carluke-based Drew Wilson Coach Sales is a leading UK dealer of secondhand coaches, buses and mini/midibuses both in the UK and internationally.
Buying secondhand can be more a more cost-effective option and with so much to offer, the dealer provides a one-stop-shop for all operators’ vehicle-purchasing needs.
It prides itself, not only on its range of stock on offer, but also the time and effort it invests in making sure its vehicles are to the highest possible standard before they go on sale.
Changes to suit
While Drew Wilson can sell vehicles on behalf of operators, it primarily buys its own stock to sell on.
Trips to the Republic of Ireland and further afield are also taken to find the right vehicles, and it also exports vehicles all over the world, including as far as Australia and the Falkland Islands.
“We offer a delivery service as well as collection, which is one less barrier for operators who think that Glasgow is too far for them to travel,” says Graham Blades, Sales.
One advantage of buying from Drew Wilson is that it can arrange a number of vehicle improvements, at the customer’s request.
The various options mean operators can have the vehicle they want altered to the specification that suits them.
This can range from repainting to interior refurbishment, including retrimming. It can also carry out DVSA-certified seatbelt installations and upseating.
“If an operator sees a vehicle and says it needs a bit more work doing to it, we can accommodate that and carry out the work for them prior to delivery,” says Graham.
In terms of upseating, the business has seen a big change in customers’ requirements.
With the help of Duoflex, we’ve been doing a lot more 70-seat conversions this year.
He adds: “A few years ago, double-deckers would have been the choice for school, but people are now turning their attention to 70-seat coaches.
“So we will source vehicles that would make good 70-seat conversions and have them built to the customers specifications in terms of colour and interior trim.”
Help with costs
As Drew Wilson can also offer its customers finance options (subject to status), the cost of the alterations can be added to the total cost of the vehicle, which the operator is then able to pay through their finance, says Graham.
The company is providing vehicles that are like new and the operator is able to pay it through their finance.
Operators don’t have to find the capital to fund the changes made to the vehicles themselves and they get a vehicle they can operate for a long time.
Failing that, if its stock vehicles do not fit a customer’s requirements, Drew Wilson can also source vehicles from coach and bus operators or UK dealers to suit individual specifications and budgets.
Pick-up service
Drew Wilson’s customer service cannot be faulted, with its additional service of collecting customers from Glasgow or Edinburgh Airport and local rail stations to come and view the vehicles.
Viewings can be arranged seven days a week, at a time to accommodate the customer.
Says Graham: “In essence it’s all about the customer experience, we try to sell a service. We pick customers up from the airport or train station, take them for a test drive and they can carry out a full inspection before purchase.
Drew Wilson also accepts part-exchanges, something which is not always available from other dealers.
Drew’s experience and contacts in the industry means the business has the knowledge and support to be able to return most of its part-exchanged vehicles to the market.
Arrange a visit
The last time routeone visited Drew Wilson in 2016, it had just set up shop in its new purpose-built facility where it sells its vehicles from – on a site it continues to share with Stuarts Coaches.
The premises are built across two floors with a reception area, kitchen and multiple offices that vary in size.
The business now has the highest number of staff it has ever had and, with its purpose-built premises and vehicle stock it’s keen to show off, it continues to encourage operators to come and see all it has to offer.
