Irish BX Van Spotted This Evening

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 22 Aug 2011, 21:25

DickieG wrote:
Citroenmad wrote:The only one I have driven was a 1.4 CL hatch in white (ex-Police!), it drove ok and rode fairly well but not the car road testers would have you believe. Well not after 7 years and 130K miles anyway
In other words thrashed flat out for 130k miles on short journeys in town including being grounded over speed humps, little wonder it didn't drive very well.

Precisely.

Its worse than that as its been company owned for the last two years, with limited servicing and high annual milages. Its not road going now though, very crusty and rusty even though its a 53 plate.

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 22 Aug 2011, 22:13

Citroenmad wrote:Its not road going now though, very crusty and rusty even though its a 53 plate.

More than likely due to two things, collision repair and bodywork damage/metal fatigue due to the very hard life its had. Quite a number of Police cars require welding to repair splits in the body, especially near suspension mountings. Door hinges are another common problem due to being opened countless times each day. Other problem areas are seat adjustment and bonnet release catches due to at least three different drivers per day adjusting/checking items.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 22 Aug 2011, 22:46

That really does enhance the fact to never buy an old police car. To be fair to this Focus its lasted well given its abuse and didn't go wrong.

The bonnet was only opened at MOT time on this Focus when it was company owned

Apparently if it was opened it wouldn't close again easily - Ford style key bonnet release.

When a police car has had welding due to splits, are they then put back into service?

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 22 Aug 2011, 22:51

Citroenmad wrote:When a police car has had welding due to splits, are they then put back into service?

That will depend upon where it is, nature of the split and age of the car, some are scrapped. I'd never buy an ex Police car

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 22 Aug 2011, 23:10

DickieG wrote:
Citroenmad wrote:When a police car has had welding due to splits, are they then put back into service?
That will depend upon where it is, nature of the split and age of the car, some are scrapped. I'd never buy an ex Police car

That is quite an insight, I wouldn't have thought of it.

Are some cars more prone than other makes?

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 22 Aug 2011, 23:15

Citroenmad wrote:Are some cars more prone than other makes?

I'm not sure with regards this particular issue, I can help a lot more with the mechanical failure rate of certain makes, one or two surprises there