Buying a School Bus

Buying a School Bus
By: Jason Odom

This pre-purchase checklist will take some time to work through but will serve as a very valuable resource to assist you in evaluating a bus.

Oil Analysis
Ask seller to provide you the records showing that the engine and transmission oil have been analyzed on a regular basis. If they have not done this, then the price should reflect this. Regardless of records, you should pull your own oil analysis, which can detect: fuel dilution of lubrication oil, dirt contamination in the oil, antifreeze in the oil, excessive wear of internal components (by finding excessive traces of metal), wrong type or grade of lubricants. Some wear is normal, but abnormal levels can give an early warning of impending problems and help prevent a major breakdown later. Early detection will reduce repair bills, reduce catastrophic failures, increase machine life and reduce nonscheduled downtime. One of the major advantages of an oil analysis program is being able to anticipate problems and schedule repair work to avoid downtime during a critical time of use.

Rust
When buying a used bus, remember that rust cannot be stopped. Rust does not rest. Rust must be taken seriously no matter how cheap your bus candidate is. If you think you can sheet metal and bondo your way to a permanent fix, think again. A little rust on the body surface may be acceptable for the price. Do not, however, accept structural rust, flaking frames, rusting-out fenders or hood hinge mounts, anything that would be a major problem when (not if) it gets twice as bad as it is now.

Service Records
Ask for service records, original paperwork and recent repair receipts. Everything in the paper trail will help you determine value and avoid potential problems. It will also reward you with some eye-opening information.

Carefully look through the paperwork and avoid the purchase of buses with no paper trail at all. Look for weird situations. Finding a receipt for an AC charge might be good, if it is recent. Come across receipts for an AC charge done three times in the last year, and you have a problem.

Budget for parts an labor on any mechanical part for which you don't have a good history, receipt trail, or ability to inspect. In other words if you can't verify its condition, then don't buy the bus unless you can afford to replace it, part by part. That means: AC, brakes, hydraulic lines, engine compression, transmission condition, steering and front end parts, electrical system from the wiring harness to the gauges, alternator and fuse panels, tires, body, and glass, air compressor buildup and recovery times, and many other items your mechanic can advise you about.

Bus parts for the major brands are available for even 30 to 40 year old buses. More obscure brands, those made in foreign countries and imported, and models with short production spans can present major problems however. Parts availability issues are one of the reasons you sometimes see beautiful $20,000 - $40,000 buses sitting idle. These are huge complicated machines depending on the proper functioning of thousands of used parts. Be sure you have at least two sources for bus parts lined up before buying any bus.

Always ask the "why are you selling" question. It is very important not to misinterpret the sellers answer, however. Some sellers are embarrassed that they don't have the ability to finish repairs, or depressed they don't have time to use it, or broke, or whatever. Just because they may seem sad does not mean they are selling you a problem.

If you are spending more than $10,000, get the help and advice of a professional salesman, used bus dealer or broker. They can usually save you money.

Seven Commandments for Success
Seven commandments governing the purchase of any make or model bus. Break just one of these rules and you will probably be sorry for the rest of your life, possibly ruining your bus ownership experience altogether.

I - Thou shalt NEVER buy a bus that has rust on critical areas of frame or supporting body. This cannot be permanently fixed without a huge expense.

II - Thou shalt NOT buy a particular bus for which you have not determined your source for repair and replacement parts. If you can't find a supplier in a month, then you probably will never find that part. Many are surprised when they see attractive $30,000+ buses sitting idle and don't realize it is normally due to replacement parts problems.

III - Thou shalt NOT purchase a project bus, one in need of substantial conversions or repairs, without a clear, accurate cost estimate, deadlines and plan for completion. "Great bus buying deals" can quickly become embarrassing "projects that never get done."

IV - Thou shalt NOT purchase a bus until you have identified exactly what problems you are trying to solve or what needs you are trying to meet with the vehicle. You may have many choices in the market but only ONE will be your best solution - and the path to happiness starts with identifying exactly what you need...NOT which pretty bus the salesman can get you financed for the quickest.

V - Thou shalt NOT buy a bus without a complete professional inspection of major parts, engine, transmission, frame, electrical, and air conditioning. Warranties, service records, and history of vehicles use can be very valuable in helping determine value.

VI - Thou shalt NOT purchase a bus without an absolutely verifiable title with year of original production in place. For instance, it is legal in many states to "re-title" an older bus, say a 1980 model. First the dealer will make repairs and renovations up to DOT standards. Then they can legally re-title it. The new title will say, for instance, year made, 2004. There is nothing wrong with this as long as it is disclosed and the price reflects the value.

VII - Thou shalt NOT purchase a bus without having a complete business plan in place, including insurance costs (which are routinely underestimated), license fees, maintenance costs, repair estimates, and breakdown contingency plans. Financing is typically the single most important issue to handle correctly after customer retention.

Jason Odom is a Christian Web developer responsible for building and promoting BusForSaleGuide.com.

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Key Safety Equipment for School Buses

Modern school buses (those manufactured after April 1, 1977) are equipped with more safety equipment than any other vehicle on the road. The size of the school bus alone gives it an important advantage in all but the most catastrophic circumstances.

Some school bus safety options include:

Special passenger crash protection. Well-padded, high back, energy-absorbing seats, as well as special requirements for wheelchair restraint systems. These seating systems provide "automatic protection" for young passengers. Additionally, school bus interiors are designed to reduce the chances of injury caused by sharp edges or body panels that may tear loose in a crash.
Better brakes. Brake systems that enable the school bus to stop in a shorter distance than other large vehicles.
Warning lights. Lights and reflective devices that indicate when the bus is loading and unloading passengers.
Special mirrors. Additional mirrors that allow the driver to see all areas directly in front of and along both sides of the school bus.
Swing out stop arms. A stop arm in newer buses that extends out to the left side of the bus to warn motorists when the bus is loading or unloading passengers.
Emergency exits. Multiple emergency exits consistent with the capacity of the school bus.
Rollover protection. Rollover protection that reduces the likelihood of a roof collapse and allows for operable emergency exits even after the roof is subject to extreme forces.
Fuel system protection. Protected fuel tanks, and fuel pump, fuel delivery system, emissions control lines and connections to protect against fuel spills in severe crashes. Standards apply to all types of fuels such as gasoline, diesel and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

Source: School Bus Information Council