Choosing a used bus for sale can be a difficult process if you don’t know where to look. Ebay is by far the best resource for finding any kind of bus including used school buses. To locate a used school bus for sale follow the link below and you will be taken to Ebay, in my opinion the safest place to shop online.
Sellers have to be up front and honest with their selling practices because Ebay is watching. Every seller has a feedback rating that tells everybody how previous transactions went with past purchaser comments and ratings.
When looking for a used school bus for sale check out the sellers feedback. Have a look at the pictures provided and send off an email if you have a question for the seller. High mileage school buses doesn’t mean they can’t go another 100,000 miles depending on condition and what you plan on using it for.
Most used school buses are in very good condition since they were maintained under strict guidelines for obvious reasons, carrying school children everyday. The body rust could be an issue if the school bus came from a wet mountainous region that used a lot of road chemicals.
Find used school buses on eBay.
Gas or Diesel Engine?
My choice is always diesel since they can really take a licking with high mileage. Since most uses after the school fleet life of a bus is light duty, the life expectancy of a diesel will outweigh a gas engine. This all depends on the condition of the engine and how it was cared for.
The drivetrain is generally an automatic transmission. Allison transmissions are the most common. They are very durable and can go for many miles after retirement if cared for and maintained properly.
I have many posts here on my blog on common diesel engines and the Allison transmission found in school buses. They information is about failures and fixes along with maintenance tips. The search box in the top left hand corner will help you find what you are looking for.
When it comes to diesel engines the most important requirement is clean fuel. The injection system is the most complex and expensive part of any diesel engine. Any water in the fuel is a disaster, since diesel is oil based and lubricates the injection system.
So, every second oil change or six months or 10,000 miles/15,000 km change the filters and always fill up at a busy fuel station or truck stop, so you know the fuel in the bulk tanks are getting replenished regularily. If you have a fuel filter water drain, use it on a regular basis.
Whelan is a regular STN magazine and blog contributor and has worked as a school bus and truck mechanic for the past 34 years. He is currently shop foreman for the School District No. 73 transportation department in Kamloops, British Columbia. Read more about Whelan’s shop experiences at his personal blog site.
