Noel Lambert from Lambert ATV sales in Roscommon says it is very important that potential buyers should consider buying a recognised brand, with a proven track record.
He noted that there are a lot of unproved brands of quads on the market. Such brands may have poor reliability and parts may not be readily available.
1 General appearance
The general condition of the machine will tell you a lot about how it has been looked after. The quad should start easily from cold and idle smoothly. A starter motor could cost from €200 to €350 including VAT. The tyres should be inspected. Depending on the brand and size, new tyres for a farm quad will vary from €75 to €110 each including VAT. The frame should be checked for cracks, welds or corrosion.
2 Engine
As previously mentioned, it is important that the engine should idle and run smoothly. The oil level should be inspected using the dipstick which is generally to the side of the engine.
It’s important to note that there isn’t too much oil in the quad as this may indicate that there is fuel leaking into the oil.
It is important to note if there is too much oil in the quad as this may indicate that there is fuel leaking into the oil. Too little oil can indicate engine wear. The air filter should be inspected. A blocked air filter may indicate the quad wasn’t regularly cared for.
3 Steering, brakes and suspension
It is important to check for play in the steering. The handlebars should not move without a response from the wheels. A little play is acceptable but anything beyond 5mm is deemed to be dangerous. This kind of play would suggest worn ball joints or worn track rod ends.
Play in the steering would suggest worn ball joints or worn track rod ends, which is extremely dangerous.
The wheel bearings should also be checked. This is done by rocking the wheels. When driving the quad, listen for any clicking or cracking sounds. This may indicate worn or damaged CV joints.
The front and rear brakes should be assessed to ensure they are functioning and are not seized. The brake cables should be working freely.
When weight is placed and released on the suspension system, it should return to its original position nice and slowly. If it springs up like a basketball, it may indicate all that is active is the spring and not the gas in the shocks. These shocks would cost around €150 each including VAT to replace.
4 Transmission
In the case of geared quads, it is important to check that each gear can be individually selected. This should be done by counting the gears as it selects them. If a gearbox is damaged it would not be unusual for a gear to be skipped.
If the 4WD is not working on a quad, depending on what’s wrong, it could cost somewhere in the region of €500-€600 including VAT to repair it.
On electronic gear models, check gears can be selected upwards and downwards and in reverse. A lazy gear selection can indicate problems.
If looking at a used quad with a selectable 4WD, it is important that it works. If the 4WD is not working, it can be costly to repair. Depending on what is wrong, whether it be shafts, couplings or the 4WD shift motor, it could cost somewhere in the region of €500 to €600 including VAT to repair it.
5 Is it stolen or still on finance?
Over the past five years, financing of new and secondhand quads has become popular. It is estimated that 60% of new quads sold today are on finance. If buying a used quad, you should carry out a finance check to ensure there is no remaining debt.
One of the biggest risks when buying a used quad is to ensure it hasn’t been stolen. The VIN should be inspected to ensure its not missing or altered.
Noel explained that one of the biggest risks when buying a used quad is that it might have been stolen.
He said in his 20 years of experience in the business he has declined to accept many trade-ins offered with missing or altered Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs), more commonly known as chassis numbers.
Noel Lambert from Lambert ATV sales in Roscommon says it is very important that potential buyers should consider buying a recognised brand, with a proven track record.
He noted that there are a lot of unproved brands of quads on the market. Such brands may have poor reliability and parts may not be readily available.
1 General appearance
The general condition of the machine will tell you a lot about how it has been looked after. The quad should start easily from cold and idle smoothly. A starter motor could cost from €200 to €350 including VAT. The tyres should be inspected. Depending on the brand and size, new tyres for a farm quad will vary from €75 to €110 each including VAT. The frame should be checked for cracks, welds or corrosion.
2 Engine
As previously mentioned, it is important that the engine should idle and run smoothly. The oil level should be inspected using the dipstick which is generally to the side of the engine.
It’s important to note that there isn’t too much oil in the quad as this may indicate that there is fuel leaking into the oil.
It is important to note if there is too much oil in the quad as this may indicate that there is fuel leaking into the oil. Too little oil can indicate engine wear. The air filter should be inspected. A blocked air filter may indicate the quad wasn’t regularly cared for.
3 Steering, brakes and suspension
It is important to check for play in the steering. The handlebars should not move without a response from the wheels. A little play is acceptable but anything beyond 5mm is deemed to be dangerous. This kind of play would suggest worn ball joints or worn track rod ends.
Play in the steering would suggest worn ball joints or worn track rod ends, which is extremely dangerous.
The wheel bearings should also be checked. This is done by rocking the wheels. When driving the quad, listen for any clicking or cracking sounds. This may indicate worn or damaged CV joints.
The front and rear brakes should be assessed to ensure they are functioning and are not seized. The brake cables should be working freely.
When weight is placed and released on the suspension system, it should return to its original position nice and slowly. If it springs up like a basketball, it may indicate all that is active is the spring and not the gas in the shocks. These shocks would cost around €150 each including VAT to replace.
4 Transmission
In the case of geared quads, it is important to check that each gear can be individually selected. This should be done by counting the gears as it selects them. If a gearbox is damaged it would not be unusual for a gear to be skipped.
If the 4WD is not working on a quad, depending on what’s wrong, it could cost somewhere in the region of €500-€600 including VAT to repair it.
On electronic gear models, check gears can be selected upwards and downwards and in reverse. A lazy gear selection can indicate problems.
If looking at a used quad with a selectable 4WD, it is important that it works. If the 4WD is not working, it can be costly to repair. Depending on what is wrong, whether it be shafts, couplings or the 4WD shift motor, it could cost somewhere in the region of €500 to €600 including VAT to repair it.
5 Is it stolen or still on finance?
Over the past five years, financing of new and secondhand quads has become popular. It is estimated that 60% of new quads sold today are on finance. If buying a used quad, you should carry out a finance check to ensure there is no remaining debt.
One of the biggest risks when buying a used quad is to ensure it hasn’t been stolen. The VIN should be inspected to ensure its not missing or altered.
Noel explained that one of the biggest risks when buying a used quad is that it might have been stolen.
He said in his 20 years of experience in the business he has declined to accept many trade-ins offered with missing or altered Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs), more commonly known as chassis numbers.
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