The second-hand market for coaches is bloated currently, with no shortage of modern stock looking for new homes. EvoBus (UK) has taken on a new approach to the issue, under Daimler’s BusStore branding
Ways to sell used coaches are numerous, and EvoBus (UK) promoted Daimler Buses’ pan-European BusStore brand last week with a four-day event at its Coventry headquarters.
Andy Nixon heads EvoBus (UK)’s BusStore arm as Senior Manager Used Vehicle Sales. This year he will oversee the turnover of a large number of second-hand coaches, driven by the success of the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo as a new purchase.
Stock is from a wide variety of chassis and body manufacturers, including Irizar, Neoplan, Plaxton, Setra, Scania, Van Hool, Volvo and VDL. All vehicles can be funded via Mercedes-Benz Financial Services; hire is also possible for a minimum period of six months.
Presentation is key
Andy has instigated a number of changes to EvoBus (UK)’s used operation since coming into post.
“Upon their arrival a data sheet is created for each vehicle. They are then inspected, cleaned and photographed, and those images are uploaded to our website,” he explains.
Presentation has also been improved. “I won’t allow dirty vehicles. We have also changed the parking arrangement so the rear overhang is never over a grassed area. Moisture can cause problems, particularly with alternators.”
On the data sheet that each vehicle is provided with is a rating of Gold, Silver or Bronze, and strict criteria are applied to each of these classification segments. “Gold-standard vehicles are from Mercedes-Benz. They are no more than four years old and have covered a maximum of 400,000km. They have also been maintained in compliance with the manufacturer’s standards,” says Andy.
Silver vehicles are of below six years of age and have covered fewer than 600,000km. Again, proof must exist that servicing has been carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines and using OEM parts. Bronze accounts for the majority of other stock, although a handful are unclassified; the Silver and Bronze segments are not restricted by manufacturer.
Gold vehicles, along with Silver coaches from Mercedes-Benz or Setra, can be provided with a one-year pan-European unlimited mileage driveline warranty at extra cost.
Setra in abundance
Numerous Setra S 415 GT and S 416 GT coaches are in stock, returned by a well-known customer. They date from between 2009 and 2011. As is, they are offered at retail prices of between £62,000 and £80,000; emission levels are Euro 4 or Euro 5.
Both two- and three-axle models are available. On a pair of S 416 GT tri-axles, EvoBus (UK) has recently carried out two trial conversions to 57-seat capacity while retaining the centre sunken toilet; originally, they carried just 48 or 52 passengers.
“We have done that to gauge customer reaction before proceeding with any more,” says CEO Michael Thielmann.
As part of the work, the seats are retrimmed. The evaluation coaches have different moquettes, and those overhauled to customers’ specifications can be trimmed in whatever design the buyer requires.
To accommodate the increase in capacity the seat squabs are shortened slightly, and legroom is reduced in some rows. But with wood-effect flooring in good condition, these coaches have plenty of life left in them. Retail price for a Euro 5 10-plate example, in white and with 620,000km on the clock, is £87,500. Like most of the rest of EvoBus (UK)’s used coaches, it is available to view in Coventry.
