Wolter KOOPS truck confiscated

UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUMS THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE)
341

limeyphil:

Mike-C:
Hang on a minute guys.Inspections are really set at 6 weekly for everyone, and they do cost £170-£190 per month? I’m not so certain this is true for everyone.

they cost the price of whatever parts are needed.

if no parts are needed, the PMI can be done for around £60 every 6 weeks (or whatever the inspection period is set at)

the PMI’s can be set at different intervals depending on type of work done

i.e. if a vehicle is off road a lot, it would be reduced to 4 weeks

alternatively, if a vehicle only does motorway tramping all the time, then it can be extended to 8 weeks

trailers can be extended to as long as 12 weeks depending on type of work

342

Mike-C:
Well even thats a stretch Phil. i’ve had a vehicle back from inspection with a sticker on the dash saying “needs oil”…i.e they didn’t put it in !!! I thought inspection intervals where different for different operators. And i’m pretty certain (although not 100%) that six weekly inspections do not work out to a cost of £170-£190 a month. I’d love to hear from someone who knows first hand.

Lucky you… We do have our vans back from service quite often (Well known authorised mercedes service) with TOO MUCH oil in it… I wish we just have them back like that so I can add as much oil as it’s needed :slight_smile:

343

Mike-C:
And i’m pretty certain (although not 100%) that six weekly inspections do not work out to a cost of £170-£190 a month. I’d love to hear from someone who knows first hand.

That’s about main dealer rate, it would be less from an independent.

It’s rare for nothing to need to be replaced at inspection though, at next week’s inspection I’ll also need a drive-axle brake re-line which will be about £220 + VAT and I’m sure there will be other bits and pieces which they will find which will push the bill up to £500, and that’s with a £20 per hour discount on labour costs.

I would consider myself very lucky if I ever got away with a £190 six-weekly inspection bill. :stuck_out_tongue:

344

orys:

Mike-C:
Well even thats a stretch Phil. i’ve had a vehicle back from inspection with a sticker on the dash saying “needs oil”…i.e they didn’t put it in !!! I thought inspection intervals where different for different operators. And i’m pretty certain (although not 100%) that six weekly inspections do not work out to a cost of £170-£190 a month. I’d love to hear from someone who knows first hand.

Lucky you… We do have our vans back from service quite often (Well known authorised mercedes service) with TOO MUCH oil in it… I wish we just have them back like that so I can add as much oil as it’s needed :slight_smile:

I mention this in reference to caledonia dreams comments above, i’d imagine that you’ll be better aquainted to point this out rather than me. BUt i understand that all HGV’s/goods vehicles need to be inspected no matter what member state they are in or come from. I’m pretty sure this is the case and its not just a UK thing. How this pans out for any of the vehicles if they are away for months is maybe a question for the guys who do traverse Europe for months at a time, how do you guys go on, or leave it utill you’re home for an inspection?

345

Mike-C:
How this pans out for any of the vehicles if they are away for months is maybe a question for the guys who do traverse Europe for months at a time, how do you guys go on, or leave it utill you’re home for an inspection?

If I did go away for months at a time I would get it serviced at the nearest Renault dealer to wherever I was after six weeks.

346

Mike-C:
I mention this in reference to caledonia dreams comments above, i’d imagine that you’ll be better aquainted to point this out rather than me. BUt i understand that all HGV’s/goods vehicles need to be inspected no matter what member state they are in or come from. I’m pretty sure this is the case and its not just a UK thing. How this pans out for any of the vehicles if they are away for months is maybe a question for the guys who do traverse Europe for months at a time, how do you guys go on, or leave it utill you’re home for an inspection?

I just said that I sometimes being informed about that something needs to be done to allow you to do it yourself can be better than if the garage does it wrong :slight_smile:

347

Mike-C:
How this pans out for any of the vehicles if they are away for months is maybe a question for the guys who do traverse Europe for months at a time, how do you guys go on, or leave it utill you’re home for an inspection?

I’ve experienced both ways Mike :smiley:

From phone conversations which involve “what’s your mileage for inspection?” to having it done in foreign garages :laughing: :laughing:

348

Harry Monk:

Mike-C:
How this pans out for any of the vehicles if they are away for months is maybe a question for the guys who do traverse Europe for months at a time, how do you guys go on, or leave it utill you’re home for an inspection?

If I did go away for months at a time I would get it serviced at the nearest Renault dealer to wherever I was after six weeks.

Hang on Harry . (sounds like a song!!). I don’t mean to nit pick and i’m not trying to, is a service the same as an inspection? My understanding is they are not the same and that service intervals are vastly different than inspections. Sorry to question what you say but do you really mean they were serviced as opposed to inspected every six weeks?

349

billybigrig:

Mike-C:
How this pans out for any of the vehicles if they are away for months is maybe a question for the guys who do traverse Europe for months at a time, how do you guys go on, or leave it utill you’re home for an inspection?

I’ve experienced both ways Mike :smiley:

From phone conversations which involve “what’s your mileage for inspection?” to having it done in foreign garages :laughing: :laughing:

We’re going no where with that !!! :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:

350

orys:

Mike-C:
I mention this in reference to caledonia dreams comments above, i’d imagine that you’ll be better aquainted to point this out rather than me. BUt i understand that all HGV’s/goods vehicles need to be inspected no matter what member state they are in or come from. I’m pretty sure this is the case and its not just a UK thing. How this pans out for any of the vehicles if they are away for months is maybe a question for the guys who do traverse Europe for months at a time, how do you guys go on, or leave it utill you’re home for an inspection?

I just said that I sometimes being informed about that something needs to be done to allow you to do it yourself can be better than if the garage does it wrong :slight_smile:

Come on you’ve let me down here. If there’s a chance you being Polish can come i handy its now. All you got to find out is how often do Polish operators (or other member states if you can) have to have their trucks ‘inspected’ for roadworthiness as part of their operators licensing conditions. I’ve heard what it costs Caledoniadream and he’s a Dutch operator commenting upon UK operating costs. So i’d like to find out the wider cost implications?

351

Mike-C:

orys:

Mike-C:
I mention this in reference to caledonia dreams comments above, i’d imagine that you’ll be better aquainted to point this out rather than me. BUt i understand that all HGV’s/goods vehicles need to be inspected no matter what member state they are in or come from. I’m pretty sure this is the case and its not just a UK thing. How this pans out for any of the vehicles if they are away for months is maybe a question for the guys who do traverse Europe for months at a time, how do you guys go on, or leave it utill you’re home for an inspection?

I just said that I sometimes being informed about that something needs to be done to allow you to do it yourself can be better than if the garage does it wrong :slight_smile:

Come on you’ve let me down here. If there’s a chance you being Polish can come i handy its now. All you got to find out is how often do Polish operators (or other member states if you can) have to have their trucks ‘inspected’ for roadworthiness as part of their operators licensing conditions. I’ve heard what it costs Caledoniadream and he’s a Dutch operator commenting upon UK operating costs. So i’d like to find out the wider cost implications?

I can check it for you, but just now I am leaving for few days for a run around England :slight_smile: Remind me on my return.

352

Mike-C:
Hang on Harry . (sounds like a song!!). I don’t mean to nit pick and i’m not trying to, is a service the same as an inspection? My understanding is they are not the same and that service intervals are vastly different than inspections. Sorry to question what you say but do you really mean they were serviced as opposed to inspected every six weeks?

Mine is maintained by KTS Renault and has six weekly inspections as per Renault’s specification and VOSA guidelines. The old days of service/inspection/service/inspection have gone now, a truck will go for several inspections before it needs an oil and filter change.

353

Mike-C:
Come on you’ve let me down here. If there’s a chance you being Polish can come i handy its now. All you got to find out is how often do Polish operators (or other member states if you can) have to have their trucks ‘inspected’ for roadworthiness as part of their operators licensing conditions. I’ve heard what it costs Caledoniadream and he’s a Dutch operator commenting upon UK operating costs. So i’d like to find out the wider cost implications?

Mike I was relating to our UK operation (the one I do) the Dutch don’t have an inspection requirement between the services.
However they are required by law to keep the vehicle roadworthy (driver responsibility)
There is no description in the law what you should do, the law only states the the vehicle must be roadlegal at all time.

354

Harry Monk:
a truck will go for several inspections before it needs an oil and filter change.

Our new Axors (stop laughing at the back) have their first oil change at 100,000km.

355

caledoniandream:

Mike-C:
Come on you’ve let me down here. If there’s a chance you being Polish can come i handy its now. All you got to find out is how often do Polish operators (or other member states if you can) have to have their trucks ‘inspected’ for roadworthiness as part of their operators licensing conditions. I’ve heard what it costs Caledoniadream and he’s a Dutch operator commenting upon UK operating costs. So i’d like to find out the wider cost implications?

Mike I was relating to our UK operation (the one I do) the Dutch don’t have an inspection requirement between the services.
However they are required by law to keep the vehicle roadworthy (driver responsibility)
There is no description in the law what you should do, the law only states the the vehicle must be roadlegal at all time.

The road traffic act here is no different in regard to the condition of the vehicle being the driver’s responsibility.Dangerous driving is an offence which can be subject of a prison sentence. :bulb:

legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/2A

356

Mike-C:
Hang on a minute guys.Inspections are really set at 6 weekly for everyone, and they do cost £170-£190 per month? I’m not so certain this is true for everyone.

No when I worked for a Scottish Haulier, his equipment was all on 8 weeks, nothing was older than 5 year.
Because out trailers do only a few loads a week, we could try to get 8 weeks, but we have our own mechanic for the trailers, and the 6 weeks keeps him nice busy.
Trucks are serviced with an independent, reasonable hourly rate, but the work is hard to the trucks. (24/7 operation, and fleet trucks not driver linked)
Services can be combined with inspections, dont have to be separate.
Vosa requires that while busy with the inspection, the inspector doesnt do any repairs.
Cheapest inspection approx £ 90.00 mostimes some repairs.

357

caledoniandream:

Mike-C:
Come on you’ve let me down here. If there’s a chance you being Polish can come i handy its now. All you got to find out is how often do Polish operators (or other member states if you can) have to have their trucks ‘inspected’ for roadworthiness as part of their operators licensing conditions. I’ve heard what it costs Caledoniadream and he’s a Dutch operator commenting upon UK operating costs. So i’d like to find out the wider cost implications?

Mike I was relating to our UK operation (the one I do) the Dutch don’t have an inspection requirement between the services.
However they are required by law to keep the vehicle roadworthy (driver responsibility)
There is no description in the law what you should do, the law only states the the vehicle must be roadlegal at all time.

And have oil in the engine :stuck_out_tongue:

358

some say that vehicles have come back from inspections with a note saying “too much oil” or “needs oil”.
this shouldn’t happen, checking the oil level is part of the daily checks.

359

Harry Monk:
I would consider myself very lucky if I ever got away with a £190 six-weekly inspection bill. :stuck_out_tongue:

I’ve had two I think in my 2.5 years of being an O/D where there has been nothing other than labour on the bill, which for me means about £100 for the unit and trailer together. Every other time, as you say, there’s something else needs doing and it doesn’t take very long at all to get it up to several hundred quid.

Paul

360

Harry Monk:

Mike-C:
And i’m pretty certain (although not 100%) that six weekly inspections do not work out to a cost of £170-£190 a month. I’d love to hear from someone who knows first hand.

That’s about main dealer rate, it would be less from an independent.

It’s rare for nothing to need to be replaced at inspection though, at next week’s inspection I’ll also need a drive-axle brake re-line which will be about £220 + VAT and I’m sure there will be other bits and pieces which they will find which will push the bill up to £500, and that’s with a £20 per hour discount on labour costs.

I would consider myself very lucky if I ever got away with a £190 six-weekly inspection bill. :stuck_out_tongue:

firstly, get it away from main dealer servicing/inspections :wink:

secondly, £220 for a drive axle brake reline :open_mouth: :open_mouth: :open_mouth: :open_mouth: :open_mouth: :open_mouth:

by my reconning, they are charging you approx £120 for the labour :open_mouth: :open_mouth: :open_mouth: :open_mouth:

i take it, your Magnum is on disc brakes all round?

you can do a pad change in less than an hour, so, they are stiffing you on the labour rates, or charging you fraudulent hours for the job

it is not unheard of for nothing needing doing on PMI inspection

as i posted earlier, when i first started out, i took my DAF to a main dealer on a service/inspection contract, the cost of that was £170 per month, which included 2 full services per year, 1 MoT and all the required PMI inspections

this did not include parts though, not even bulbs, but, it did include fluids

my first inspection cost me an absolute fortune in parts, as the truck needed a new cab tilt ram and a new load sensing valve :imp:

you can get it done by an independent garage or mobile mechanic for approx £60 for the unit and £50 for the trailer, the rates will vary depending on the area