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The way that the police seem to drive everywhere in low gears(emergencies of course,They wouldnt do it for practice would they?)cant be very good for cars.Just my opinion but i dont think that being well maintained can compensate for the abuse they give them.
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There are several plod drivers on here who will testify that (may I refer to my notes your honour?) "they are completely knackered"
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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This topic has come up several times before. I'll give the same answer now as then - they are mostly complete sheds. There are a couple of places that specialise in selling them and they tend to be overpriced.
Certain bits of trim will be damaged on the T5 and you'll find them hard to get s/hand because everyone else who has bought an ex-police car is looking for the same trim bits.
I once bought an ex-police Rover 827 at auction (with a view to selling on), it only had 96k on the clock but they had basically wrecked it.
Steer well clear.
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There can be good 'uns, but don't assume they're all well maintained.
I bought a 160,000-mile Senator once, and it was a cracking car - though they're as tough as old boots anyway.
This one needed new shocks all round, but mechanically otherwise it was fine (reverse could be iffy, but never gave me a problem).
Bodywork wasn't the best - I think all the wings had been bashed at some point, so there was a bit of rust around the welds.
Spec can be a bit odd - e.g. there was no wiring for radio speakers, and despite being a 12-valve the brakes were from the 24-valve.
Take each car as it comes, and don't expect a car with a fragile reputation to be any good.
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And another thing.... (LOL!)
The service guys in the police workshops tend to 'swap bits around' just before sale. So you may find your auction car has got a duff battery, low tyres and a dodgy alternator...inherited from cars that they are trying to keep running.
Police budgets are under pressure so they tend to do what they can to keep costs down.
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Like buying any car,some are good some are bad,but if you are going to buy one, buy from WOMA as HJ says and at least you are paying the least amount for it but of course you are taking the biggest risk.
Some forces cars are just dreadful and you wonder how they could go out on the road in the state they are in,other forces are so good,you would think they had been pampered all their life.
In the past i have bought some great condition Thames Valley cars,but you do need to be careful.
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Forgot to say,a frind of mine bought a Ford Explorer from WOMA about 18 months ago,from West Yorkshire Police its a 1999 at the time had done 120,000 miles and he paid about £2,000 for it,it is in great condition,he uses it to tow a car trailer and it has not missed a beat.Downside is,its very thirsty,but it does all he wants it to do for very little money.
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Yes - when I was in the Motor Trade my salesman took an ex plod Escort in P/X. Unfortunately he didn't see the enormous zip in the roof lining!
It was a dog/shed/heap of ordure - completely un-retailable without a new lump!
We eventually P/X'd it ourselves with a Ford Main dealer whose salesman didn't even bother to leave the showroom to inspect it!
The horrible thing expired as we drove onto their forecourt a couple of days later, when we returned to collect our purchase, (which we later sold for money back!).
Thank you, God!
Roger. (Costa del Sol, España)
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That used to be a great trick,hit the main dealer with an ex-plod car as p/x on a new car,get offered loads for the p/x,not argue too much about the price of the new one and,hey presto you end up with a brand new car with anything upto a 40% discount on new list price.
I'm sure it still goes on today(might have to dust down my dealing boots)see what kind of p/x price a silver Focus or Astra will make.
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once bought a mk5 cortina at auction as a normal car, got it back to work and found it had 3 zips in the roof .They also used to have reinforced seat edges which was a giveaway,but someone had already changed these. :(
--
\"a little man in a big world/\"
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My Omega is a bit different, as it was a 'company car', not in the usual sense, but the Police description, for non-conventional operational duties, so no dodgy wiring or blues n twos.
An old vehicle, by Police standards, bought 15 months ago 127k, 97P 2.5CDX auto, everything on it, except, thankfully, leather. All original paintwork, very few marks/scuffs. New brakes all around, good Michelin Pilots, £1600 & service, cambelts & 101% valet, an exceptional car for under £2000.
I've since replaced one tyre & fitted spare & on Monday it's having a new back box & an annoying oil leak fixed - rocker cover gasket &, unfortunatly crankcase oil seal.
As for the Thames Valley & Hampshire forces, they are the better maintained fleets. Beware of Met stock, lots London stop start & lots traffic, don't help the officers drive the cars as well as they might.
& if you were thinking vans, rather than cars, now these ARE good buys, morte often than not - especially the lightly used office vehicles, os covert motors.
I had a 10 year old Transit, with 13k on it - looked like it'd spent it's life parked up, complete with moss & roof garden. Looked like new when we'd removed the blacked out - TOTALLY painted matt black, inside, for night time obbos, BurgerKing wraps & chewing gum.
& it drove as sweet as they come.
VB
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Motorway dept cars CAN be ok as they are usually not over stressed. The Divisional traffic cars/ARVs I drive have to earn a living and are totally cream crackered after 100k.
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Thanks everyone.
Have passed all onto him and no he's not going to take he chance this time. Have lent him my old but trusty Volvo 240 estate for a few weeks.
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for £2500 he could get a 3/4 year old mondeo
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The Community police round here have a few Priuses. Wonder whether they will be regarded as knackered nightmares when they are sold on?
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