First of all decide as to whether you can afford it or not, this is very important - how do you know if you can afford it??? How much money do you need???  This all depends on what type of vehicle you would like to buy.  As I am very much into LH's and own one lets say that you are interested in buying an LH.

If you are going to be buying a vehicle as part of a group then make sure you are all 100% happy with every group member.  It only takes one to let the side down and friendships lost! I know from experience! Try and get an agreement on how it will be set up financially.  Don't be put of though groups are good in the fact that the costs are split and you may all have individual skills.

If you are going to buy an LH then price wise this is only something that only you can decide is good or not, remember a vehicle similar to buying a car will be considerably more expensive if it has a current MOT, tax and has recently been repainted.  But, if you look around, not only will you find the vehicle you want but one without MOT or Tax will represent a large saving, it might sail through an MOT as it stands but you don't know that.  If you buy from one of the large groups or a large independant company you will more than likely be told the price but it won't include tyres or VAT.  Larger comapnies tend to lease the tyres from one of the big guns such as Michelin, Goodyear etc.  They will be able to organise that you can buy the tyres from them but depending on the tread that is left that could be anything from £20 or 30 per tyre to anything like £100 per tyre that is an additional £600 on the price!!! Beware.  But don't be disheartened if you don't want the tyres or they are to expensive then a look through the classified section of Bus & Coach Preservation can usually provide second hand tyres at a reasonable price.

OK so you've found the bus, arranged a price, got the tyres sorted.  Storage, this could be a major expense! Try local coach companies or local farmers - do you need undercover or will out in the open be OK???  Whatever you choose see if you can find somewhere that can provide some lighting and power.  Pit facilities would an absolute bonus.  Storage could cost anything, sometimes if you are lucky it could be free or you could have to pay a nominal ground rent.  Some people will look sympathetically upon bus preservationists, but not everyone.

Right you've bought the bus, got some storage and the day has come to collect it!  How are you going to get it home?  Does it drive? Or does it need to be towed? If towed then this could be a big expense! Do you know anyone that has a tow truck, if so see if they will help you bring it home?  Some beer tokens for them might be all it will cost you never know.  If it can be driven then the chances are it might not be taxed or MOT'd, then you will need trade plates, see if you can borrow some that way you can drive it home with no problems at all.  On the day you will need to take with you a large container of water and oil and a suitable kind of jug for filling the oil and water tanks.  Check all the lights, oil, water, tyres and listen for any possible air leaks before setting off home.  If there are any leaks of any description then try and identify them before you leave.  Taking a trained PSV fitter with you is a good idea and some tools, this could save a lot of time and expense.  Insurance for the vehicle on the day of collection is a must.  A company like Adams Tingle can help with this, the premiums are very good and they can offer you a recovery service as well.  But remember the recovery service will only kick in if the vehicle is taxed, MOT'd and roadworthy.  In otherwords, I don't think they will cover your journey home on the collection day.  Hopefully everything will be OK and you can enjoy the first drive of YOUR bus!!!!

So you're now home the bus is parked up securely and you now have to decide what to do with your vehicle.  If it needs mechanical work and bodywork doing then try and get the mechanics done and the body upto MOT standard.  An MOT tester isn't really to worried what the vehicle looks like outside as long as there are no sharp objects and windows aren't hanging out then exterior wise you should be OK.  Try and get an MOT on the vehicle ASAP then you can legally take the vehicle on the raod to keep everything freed up and regular use won't do it any harm at all.

Restoration work! What livery is it going to carry? Does it have the correct seats? Destination blinds??? All minor but this is how people will be looking at your bus!  Try to go for an era that you are happy with.  Do you have the skills to do the jobs like a repaint?  If not don't worry! Give it a go anyway, at the end of the day it will save you alot of money and you will have the satisfaction of giving it a go.  Yes, people may comment on it at Bus Rallies but the chances are they are more jealous than anything.  Just ask to see there bus and see them go a shade of red when they say sheepishly 'I don't have one'.  So who are they to criticise?  You will find that from fellow bus owners, you will get nothing but praise and encouragement as they know what you have gone through.

Then comes the big day of the first rally, make sure everything is OK and that you are ready.  Then go and enjoy it! Watch those people taking pictures and videoing YOU!!!!  They have come to see your bus, you will be very proud and there aren't many feelings like the one you will experience.  It makes it all worth while.

Well I hope I haven't put anyone off preservation, but this was more a way of advising you of any possible pitfalls and also the good times that can be had.  Just remember the four 'T's - These Things Take Time.

Best of luck to anyone who decides to take the plunge in the future!!!!!

If anyone feels I have missed anything out then please email me and let me know!!!!