Taking delivery of used taxi, what to watch out for?

last SG · 2012-02-11T15:57:09+00:00

Moment of truth , just got a call from CDG , ask to come down tomarrow to get the taxi 3pm , already print the list all the seniors guided me to check , keep...

Taxitemp12 SG

Greetings to all my brethren in trade, regards to active moderator Poolman and seniors on the forum. I have been a silent reader of this forum , in two weeks’ time I will be taking delivery of four years old Sonata from CDG , I would appreciate if the seniors/members on this forum can provide me pointers to “watch out” for/”check for” at the time of delivery.

Bo Call Liao SG

hmmmm can only offer some pointers.

(1) standby a good good camera

(2) be very alert on that day

(3) CDG jacks up undercarriage if i am not wrong , pay very special attention to any scratches , take as many pics.

(4) Any scratch or dents that is brushed aside by the inspector , insist he make a remark . Dont be a nice guy for this day.

When i took over my wish , it was about an hour and that is only a 4 mth old cab. Expect more on a 4 yr old sonata.

Taxitemp12 SG

Thanks Brother Bo Call Liao the camera idea is good i will take a camera with me to make sure i get all the pictures . but what about engine and machinical stuff how to check that any pointers there ???

Techo SG

Let's get the priority right first, i.e if you do find some faults, can you afford to reject it and rejoin the queue? After all, you are not buying the taxi.

As I know, CDG is quite "ON" in their vehicle maintenance and the taxi should be roadworthy.

The camera is a good idea but a few of my kakis had returned before and minor dents, nicks and scratches were no problems. All treated as normal "wear and tear". That's the beauty of big public listed companies. Everything per SOP.

Taxitemp12 SG

Thanks Brother Techo for your input , yes i have been in the Queue for CDG since Nov last year and was told that i will be getting a taxi by end of Jan this year, i called them to inquire about the delivery last week and was told that CDG hasnt reached yet for the nov last year sign up , i told that lady that i was looking for 4 year old sonata and not a newer one , she said oh in that case not many people want so not long queue, so she will call me within two week to collect the taxi, I agree with you in regards to maintenance but still have to check out the cab to avoid "lemon" so to speak as those are frequent visitor of workshop.

Techo SG

I was involved in, and had done maintenance on military aircraft for almost 18 yrs and yet had no clue as to what is wrong when I look inside the sonata engine compartment. Guess you need to be specifically auto-trained to spot any real faults.

Suggest you look inside the car instead for torn seats, broken knobs, a/c cold or not, airflow from setting 1 to 4 ok, all power windows working or not. You know, things that operator (driver) can check, instead of the technical/mechanical stuff where only trained mechanic can detect.

Then dun start biz straight away. Take the car for a test drive and if in doubt, return immediately to the workshop.

Best of luck!

Just_do_it_lah SG

There is a transfer of vehicle paper with the floor plan of the taxi that you are going to undertake....

something like this... but not this... becos it isn't a taxi..

If the front is dented, the officer in charge will have to indicate on this document that the COMPANY acknowledged at the point of transferring the taxi to you as the rightful hirer of the vehicle.

When you returns the vehicle, they will take this document out again and vertify that the said vehicle has been returned to them at the ORIGINAL CONDITION.

As what Bro BCL said, getting a camera is an advantage if you have overlooked at certain areas... But most of us isn't a trained mechanic, so, we are unlikely to know what to expect from the under carriage ? Looks out for cracks.

Check the inside as well. The driving compartments. The seats etc.

Only when everything is DONE. then sign on that document. Don't be pressured to sign as it may come back to haunt you later.

Good Luck.

Taxitemp12 SG

Thank you both Bro Techo and just_do_it_lah for your valued input and experience in regards to question , yes i do understand as it is dificult to guess the condition of engine by just looking /listening to it run , one can always check the condition of suspention/ shock absorbers by pushing down and see the reaction of bounce also by moving tyres side wise by hand can tell about tie rod end etc that shows the condition of car structure. again i might be over reacting just need the expeince of my seniors so i can contain my expactations within the limit

Just_do_it_lah SG

Yes, regarding the tyres...

Pls check the spare tyre in the boot compartment....

make sure it is not worn out or leaking....

Some mechanics may try a fast one on you if you have overlooked....

Also check for the tools to replace your punctured tyre(s)...is in placed.

Just_do_it_lah SG

hmmmm can only offer some pointers.

(1) standby a good good camera

(2) be very alert on that day

(3) CDG jacks up undercarriage if i am not wrong , pay very special attention to any scratches , take as many pics.

(4) Any scratch or dents that is brushed aside by the inspector , insist he make a remark . Dont be a nice guy for this day.

When i took over my wish , it was about an hour and that is only a 4 mth old cab. Expect more on a 4 yr old sonata.

Transcab very Chin Chye one...

when you returning your wish... look for Mr Toh... (Skinny guy wears specs)... Nice person. where got time to jack up cab for inspection ?

When I returned my Mercedes cab, he asked me... anything different... I say no... hahaha.

komade SG

Transcab very Chin Chye one...

when you returning your wish... look for Mr Toh... (Skinny guy wears specs)... Nice person. where got time to jack up cab for inspection ?

When I returned my Mercedes cab, he asked me... anything different... I say no... hahaha.

prob is very hard to find Toh sometimes he super busy man........

Just_do_it_lah SG

prob is very hard to find Toh sometimes he super busy man........

This shows that you don't know people .... .

I go there... straight away he comes over.....

Always go servicing with....

Tea or Kopi...... to some of your favourite ppl there..... cannot leaks trade secret here...sorry.... can't say much....

komade SG

This shows that you don't know people .... .

I go there... straight away he comes over.....

Always go servicing with....

Tea or Kopi...... to some of your favourite ppl there..... cannot leaks trade secret here...sorry.... can't say much....

Sorry hor me nite relief dun go for servicing 1............

foolsh_2000 SG

i want to ask anybody familiar with Toyota Crown or Nissan Cedric,mine a nissan i sent to workshop to repair for brake and lights indicator not working at the car dashboard.they say if u brake there shouldn't be any lights lighted at dashboard same for switching on the lihts at night.but i remember both should be lighted!

Just_do_it_lah SG

Sorry hor me nite relief dun go for servicing 1............

That's why you "don't know people" ......

Just_do_it_lah SG

As per your Ques.

as for Toyota Crown.

There should be indicator lights for HandBrakes ON....

and Flashing Turning Arrows Lights when switch ON.

On your dashboard.

As for braking, certainly NOT. even Mercedes Benz CDI don't have braking indicator.

Not sure on Nissan... never drove one before.

f1taxidriver SG

You guys missed out the most impt thing.

Other than verifying the listed known fault list from CDG, eg slight dents and scratches,

And going for a test drive to check the emergency braking (whether the ABS works),

I check whether the fare meter and MDT date and time agree with each other. Then check whether the meter is jumping at the correct distance. Faster never mind, slower must report and fix immediately.

Just_do_it_lah SG

You guys missed out the most impt thing.

Other than verifying the listed known fault list from CDG, eg slight dents and scratches,

And going for a test drive to check the emergency braking (whether the ABS works),

I check whether the fare meter and MDT date and time agree with each other. Then check whether the meter is jumping at the correct distance. Faster never mind, slower must report and fix immediately.

errr,

Can i add something....

IVT or MDT are linked to GPRS.... which means... the timing can be fine tuned with you off-on your MDT.

For your Meter issue.....

, even the CDG's technical can't help you much... you have to drive to....Block 28, Sin Ming Rd, #01-157, Soon Heng (LTA's contractor), few blocks away from CDG office, to get it fixed or re-programmed.

If you got problem with your MDT, Mobile Data Terminal....

then you have to visit Sin Ming CDG to get it fixed.

foolsh_2000 SG

thanks for the answer Just_do_it_lah,,mine is Nissan Cedric,only handbrake lights showng,all others not lighted ie step on brakes pedal and turnng on the lights except isworking this normal?only high beam light!

komade SG

That's why you "don't know people" ......

aiyoh member not i dont knoe people, knn nite shift where got go

down office 1............ even if servicing day hirer overseas?? knn

4-5am i throw the car there i go back zzzz liao......where got time

to Q 3-4hrs get the car fixed............