INITIAL VEHICLE COST
There is no set cost to how much you'll pay for a vehicle as there are many different factors that contribute to the cost you will pay such as; age, condition, whether tyres will be included, if it still runs, if it still has a valid MOT & MOT Type etc.
STORAGE
Storage cost varies and depends on many factors; indoor storage is more expensive and a lot harder to find then outdoor storage, increased onsite facilities such as power and water and security features such as locked gates, cameras, ANPR will of course increase the price. The more a site has to offer the higher the price will be. For example a basic storage site could be around £50 a month, a more equipped site could be around £250 a month. These prices are varying in the ever increasing economy and becoming a lot harder to find.
INSURANCE
Insurance is based on multiple factors and is personalised for each individual there is no generic cost as everyones personal details and vehicle details are different. There are some factors such as the drivers age, vehicle age, vehicle rarity & CCTV. Insurance companies will not be specific about what increases the premiums but a lot of factors contribute.
TAX
Tax is calculated by the number of seats a vehicle has got, the more seats there is the more the tax is.
MOT
A bus will have to pass at least a class 5 MOT every 12 months to ensure it is roadworthy enough to be driven. The maximum MOT test cost is £80.65 (without seatbelts.)
FUEL
All fuel powered buses run on diesel. Average fuel tank capacity is 175L - 350L. Fuel prices are constantly changing so no average can be given. Pre covid fuel price was approximately £1.15 a litre where in 2024 we have been ranging from £1.40 to £1.60 a litre. The more efficient you drive your vehicle the more MPG you will get. In our fleet we range between 7 to 11 mpg.
ADBLUE
Euro 4 and newer engines only will have an ad blue tank. Average ad blue tank capacity is between 20L - 30L. Average ad blue price per litre £1.50.
ENGINE OIL
Most buses will use 15w40 oil (check vehicle manual.) Average engine oil tank capacity is 15L - 30L. Average engine oil price per litre £4.60. If your vehicle has been trapped or is Euro 5 or 6 you may have different oils to change the deposits etc. Always refer to your manufacturers recommendations.
GEARBOX OIL
Common gearbox oil - Red ATF. Average gearbox oil tank capacity is 25L - 30L. Average gearbox oil price per litre £7. Always refer to your manufacturers recommendations.
HYDRAULIC OIL
Common hydraulic oil - Red ATF. Average hydraulic oil tank capacity is 10L - 20L. Average hydraulic oil price per litre £7. This is usually not specific as is not doing as important as a job and some operators use the same oil as whats in the gearbox but to be safe refer back to manufacturers recommendations.
AXLE OIL / HUB OIL
Axle oils vary depending on axle manufacturer and specification. Refer to manufacturers manual to find out the exact oil required. Hub oil is not usually filled the usual way and this information will also be in the manual. This oil will be able to be bought from the manufacturer.
COOLANT / ANTI-FREEZE
It is NOT advised to put only water in the coolant tank as it is more likely to freeze in cooler temperatures resulting in burst pipes and increases the likelihood of the engine overheating. Average coolant tank capacity is 15L - 45L. There are different types of coolant for different purposes, refer to your vehicle manual for guidance on which type of coolant to use. The main types of coolant are; water based and oil based. Average water based coolant price per litre £7.25. Average oil based coolant price per litre £8.25.
SCREEN WASH
Having a screen wash that is effective in cooler temperatures can be beneficial as it prevents the washer jets and pipes from freezing allowing you to still use screen wash to keep visibility at its best. Average screen wash tank capacity is 5L. Average screen wash price per litre 96p.
Disclaimer
All the pricing is from Halfords.com and information gathered from their site is correct as of January 2022. All of the above guidance is not strictly to be followed and is only advice, we take no responsibility for your vehicle if something is to go wrong. Our information has come from my own engineer and his information is the principles used on my own vehicles.