The Cost of a Used School Bus

People choose to buy a used school bus due to many reasons. In this article we are going to talk about the costs of different old school buses and the things you need to know before deciding to purchase such a vehicle.

How Much Does A Used School Bus Cost?

The price of a used school bus is determined by the dealer after they check all the features and crucial characteristics of the bus. In general, the cost of a new school bus is anywhere between $50,000 and $55,000, while for a used school bus you will have to pay anywhere between $3,000 and $10,000.

The price would be even higher if the authority of the school would want to add extra characteristics for their students. Though, most schools choose to go for new buses. Moreover, the used vehicles have usually been used to transport children to school for many years which might mean that they are not in very good condition. This is why you can find many pre-owned school buses on the market.

So, if you are thinking about purchasing a used general school bus, you should be prepared to pay anywhere between $5,000 and $8,000, depending on the design, size, and overall condition.

When buying buses, the school authorities take into consideration the number of students. So, the cost of a school bus will depend on its size. In the table below you will find the average costs of a school bus by size.

The cost of a school bus by brand

There are more school buses seller on the market than buyers, as these vehicles are not bought so often. The reason is that people avoid purchasing used products, especially when transporting a lot of children in them, and most sellers don’t want to lower the price.

In the table below you will find the average costs of different low-range used school buses.

The cost of these old school buses depends on the overall condition, age, and other factors. The buses presented in the table above are small in size.

You can buy a 4 or 5-window mid-size used school bus for $5,000 to $7,000.

You might also like our articles on the cost of an ice cream truck, a fire truck, or a DeLorean from back to the future.

There are school buses in the mid-range category, that are ideal for installing home accessories such as a table, a sofa, and so on. These come with 5 to 6 windows and air conditioning.

In the table below you will find the average costs of some mid-range used school bus models.

Even used vehicles can be in great condition. People who pay $10,000 to $20,000 for a used school bus expect to find it in top condition, with no defects. Also, they are looking for extra features and pay attention to braking quality, suspension type, and emergency entry. These buses have more than 9 windows and a better interior design.

In the table below you will find the average costs of different high-end used school buses.

In general, people choose to buy high-end used school buses to transform them into a recreation room in the outdoor space. Some are even transforming these types of buses into full-out homes because of how spacious they are. For instance, some models have a length of 25 to 35 feet.

Where can I find a used school bus?

If you want to find a used school bus at a good price, you should try to get in touch with a seller directly, although there are also trusted partners that can offer good prices.

As there is a large number of used school buses on the market, there are many platforms where you can sell or buy one. One of the most famous sites for purchasing a used school bus is Lasvegasbussales. But there are also: Mascus, NWbus, Midwsettransit, and Tillerybus.

Old school buses are sold also through auctions. Getting a bus through an auction can actually prove to be a cheaper alternative.

Things to consider before buying a used school bus

Before purchasing an old school bus, you need to verify some important things such as the documents that contain information about the purchase date, service dates, but also accident history.

Also, you should check the condition of the engine, the seats, the steering, the chassis, the tires, the interior design, whether there are any leaks, and the mileage.

You may have to replace the engine of the bus. In general, most people go for used school buses with diesel engines as they are known to be cheaper fuel-wise. Plan on spending anywhere between $3,000 and $15,000 for replacing the engine of a used school bus.

Other costs you need to consider before buying a used school bus are maintenance expenses. Expect to spend anywhere between $800 and $1,000 per month for the school bus servicing. In this segment, the labor rate is also high as it is between $80 and $110 per hour.

Why buy a used school bus?

People want to buy a pre-owned school bus due to many reasons, such as:

Transformation

Most people don’t buy a used school bus to transport children to school, but to transport materials and goods.

Also, some may choose to transform it into a living space or into a food corner.

Variety of buses

There are many types of school buses on the second-hand market and people are more than happy to find a nice model at a good price, instead of paying lots of money at a showroom.

Low cost

A new school bus is $30,000 to $40,000 more expensive than a used school bus. So, you will save a huge amount of money by purchasing a second-hand one, as long as it is in good condition.