{"title":"Commercial Vehicles","description":"\u003cp\u003eAppraisals for vans, trucks and trailers: bodies, load securing, tires on every axle – and lost profit as a head of damage in its own right.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"nutzfahrzeug-unfallgutachten","title":"Commercial Vehicle Accident Damage Appraisal","description":"\u003cp\u003eA commercial vehicle is not a means of transport but a means of production. When the van stands still, runs are cancelled, delivery dates collapse and, at worst, contractual penalties from the framework agreement kick in – and the damage to the bodywork is often the smaller part of it. We appraise vans, trucks, trailers and semi-trailers after an accident and quantify chassis, body and downtime separately, so that you can substantiate to the at-fault party's liability insurer not only the repair but also what standing still is costing you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat the appraisal report covers\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChassis and cab:\u003c\/strong\u003e ladder frame and frame rails, cab mounts and tilt mechanism, axles, steering, air suspension and the compressed-air and braking system including EBS. On a ladder frame the load path runs differently than on a unitary body, so the frame is measured as soon as the impact has reached it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe body as an item in its own right:\u003c\/strong\u003e box body, tarpaulin and bows, tail lift, refrigeration unit, false floors, roller tracks and the racking system in a tradesman's vehicle are each recorded and calculated individually. A bent tail lift takes the vehicle out of service even when the cab is untouched – and without its own item in the appraisal report, that damage simply does not appear in the settlement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrailers, semi-trailers and coupling equipment:\u003c\/strong\u003e semi-trailer frame, fifth wheel plate and kingpin with wear measurement, drawbar, drawbar eye, turntable and landing legs. After an impact to a coupled combination, both units are inspected, because distortion in the trailer often only shows once it is coupled up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCargo and load securing:\u003c\/strong\u003e damage to the cargo itself, and the question of whether the securing contributed to how the loss unfolded. We record lashing points, blocking bars, lashing equipment and the load distribution as a separate inspection point, because the answer bears directly on liability and insurance cover.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDowntime and lost profit:\u003c\/strong\u003e lost profit is a head of damage in its own right and is not estimated but evidenced. We record the repair duration, parts availability and the cost of hiring a replacement, and quantify the downtime using figures from your own operation – run schedules, freight orders, utilization.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVAT and input tax deduction:\u003c\/strong\u003e for owners entitled to deduct input tax, settlement is on a net basis. The appraisal report states the amounts cleanly separated, so that the insurer does not make cuts on the wrong basis and your accounting can take the items over directly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInspection intervals:\u003c\/strong\u003e the German roadworthiness inspection and safety inspection, the recurring workplace-safety inspection of the tail lift and crane, and the refrigeration system check. A vehicle that stands for weeks after a loss runs past its due dates – the report states which of them fall within the downtime.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow it works\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAppointment:\u003c\/strong\u003e you report the damage and we come to the vehicle – to the depot, the haulier, the commercial vehicle workshop or the recovery yard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInspection:\u003c\/strong\u003e recording of chassis and body, functional testing of the tail lift and refrigeration unit, review of the cargo and load securing, photo documentation and reading out the fault memories.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCalculation:\u003c\/strong\u003e repair route separated by commercial vehicle workshop and body manufacturer, net or gross depending on input tax status, plus the downtime, replacement hire and the basis for the lost profit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDelivery:\u003c\/strong\u003e you receive the appraisal report digitally, as a rule on the same business day once it is complete. On request, a copy goes directly to the insurer, your attorney and your fleet management.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#e8f0fd;color:#132038;border-left:4px solid #1565d8;border-radius:8px;padding:16px 20px;margin:22px 0\"\u003e\n  \u003cp style=\"color:#132038;margin:0\"\u003e\n    \u003cstrong style=\"color:#0d3e8f\"\u003eOn the cost:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n    After a not-at-fault accident, the cost of the appraisal report is\n    generally borne by the liability insurer of the other party. On request\n    we bill that insurer directly, so that you do not have to pay up front.\n  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow is lost profit evidenced?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith figures from the business, not with a flat rate. The basis is run schedules, freight orders, utilization and the management accounts. We document the downtime and the cost of hiring a replacement; the commercial derivation is agreed with your accounting department or your tax adviser.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe cab is fine, only the tail lift is hanging crooked. Is a repair estimate enough?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsually not. Tail lifts are inspected work equipment, distortion in the lifting arms or hydraulics takes the vehicle out of service, and the repair runs through the body manufacturer. The downtime here regularly weighs more heavily than the repair itself and therefore belongs in the appraisal report.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWho bears damage to the cargo?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat depends on how the accident unfolded and on whether the load securing was proper. We document the loading condition, the lashing equipment used and the load distribution as a separate finding. That finding is the basis for the later clarification between the transport, liability and goods insurers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs a company vehicle calculated net or gross?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNet for owners entitled to deduct input tax, because the VAT flows back through the input tax deduction. The appraisal report states both figures separately. Owners not entitled to deduct input tax, such as small businesses or associations, settle on a gross basis – we note that classification expressly in the report.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"border-top:1px solid #dfe6f0;padding-top:14px;margin-top:24px\"\u003e\n  More on this in our guide:\n  \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/ratgeber\/nutzungsausfall-mietwagen\"\u003eLoss-of-use compensation or a rental vehicle\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"PKW GUTACHTER","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53451423711498,"sku":"GUT-NUT-UNF","price":0.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0958\/2732\/9290\/files\/image-d92bb7a7-4400-4bfe-aa02-ea19e64b79dc.png?v=1786477716"},{"product_id":"nutzfahrzeug-zustandsbericht","title":"Commercial Vehicle Condition Report","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen a van goes back at the end of a lease or a truck is sold out of the fleet, the price is not decided by the odometer but by the body: by the load floor, by the tail lift, by the tires on every axle. That is exactly where return protocols and buyer conversations come off the rails. The condition report documents, with no loss event involved, what state the vehicle, the body and the loading equipment are actually in – for vans, trucks, trailers and semi-trailers. You receive a signed report with photo documentation that you can present to a leasing company, a buyer or your bank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat the report covers\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBody and load floor:\u003c\/strong\u003e condition of box walls, tarpaulin and bows, floor covering and false floors, lashing points and lashing rails, roller tracks and racking systems in a tradesman's vehicle. We record punctures, crushing, moisture damage in the floor and corrosion on the subframe – the places where daily use wears a commercial vehicle out first.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFunctional testing of the loading equipment:\u003c\/strong\u003e the tail lift operated under load, with lifting capacity, end positions, platform distortion and hydraulics checked; the refrigeration unit tested for temperature holding and smooth running; load securing equipment inspected for load capacity. A visual inspection with everything standing still says little about loading equipment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMileage and operating hours:\u003c\/strong\u003e the indicated odometer reading and the operating hours of the engine, refrigeration unit and loading equipment, each with photographic evidence. On refrigerated vehicles the unit hours and the mileage diverge widely, so both are documented separately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTires on all axles:\u003c\/strong\u003e tread depth at every wheel position including twin tires and trailer axles, plus DOT age, mixed tires, uneven wear as an indication of axle alignment, and the condition of the spare wheel. At a lease return, tires are one of the most frequent points of dispute.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoupling equipment:\u003c\/strong\u003e tow coupling, fifth wheel plate with wear measurement, kingpin, drawbar eye, turntable and landing legs – assessed on wear, not just on appearance, because the admissibility of the combination depends on it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInspection intervals and documents:\u003c\/strong\u003e the status of the roadworthiness and safety inspections, the recurring workplace-safety inspection of the tail lift and crane, the refrigeration system check, plus the tachograph and the records held, each with the date of the last inspection and when the next falls due.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eValue classification:\u003c\/strong\u003e the vehicle's position in the commercial vehicle market taking account of body type, specification and inspection status, stated net for owners entitled to deduct input tax.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow it works\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAppointment:\u003c\/strong\u003e you tell us where the vehicles are – depot, warehouse, workshop or dealer lot. Where several units from a fleet are involved, we record them in one visit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInspection:\u003c\/strong\u003e a walk-around of the vehicle and body, the tail lift and refrigeration unit tested in operation, tires measured at each position, coupling equipment assessed against wear limits, all of it photographed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEvaluation:\u003c\/strong\u003e condition assessment for each assembly, review of the inspection due dates, documentation of mileage and operating hours, and classification within the commercial vehicle market.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDelivery:\u003c\/strong\u003e you receive the report digitally, as a rule on the same business day once it is complete, on request additionally as a copy for the lessor, the buyer or your bank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe condition report is prepared for a fixed price, with no additional billing by time spent. We agree the journey to where the vehicles are with you in advance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs the report worthwhile before a lease return?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEspecially then. Return protocols frequently assess body damage, floor covering and tires to the disadvantage of the party returning the vehicle. Anyone who has had the condition documented independently beforehand can examine additional charges item by item and does not have to prove after the fact what the vehicle looked like at handover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs the tail lift really put into operation?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, as far as it can be done safely. We run it under load, check the lifting capacity, end positions and platform distortion, and look for leaks at the cylinders and lines. On the refrigeration unit we check temperature holding. Both are the assemblies on which the value turns.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan several vehicles from a fleet be recorded together?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. For fleet sales or upcoming returns we record several vans, trucks or trailers in one appointment and deliver a separate report for each vehicle. The effort per unit drops noticeably, and the standard of assessment stays the same across the whole fleet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat happens if inspection dates have been missed?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey appear in the report with their date and due date. An expired safety inspection or workplace-safety inspection of the tail lift is not a disqualifying factor, but it affects the sale price and the vehicle's availability for use. You therefore know before the sales conversation what has to be caught up and what it will cost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"border-top:1px solid #dfe6f0;padding-top:14px;margin-top:24px\"\u003e\n  More on this in our guide:\n  \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/ratgeber\/gutachten-oder-kostenvoranschlag\"\u003eAppraisal report or repair estimate\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"PKW GUTACHTER","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53451423744266,"sku":"GUT-NUT-ZUS","price":250.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0958\/2732\/9290\/files\/t-e-x-t_-t-o_-i-m-a-g-e-567f6eff-e2e4-4437-8171-2e1fa1ac9ca1.png?v=1786477727"}],"url":"https:\/\/pkwgutachter.de\/en\/collections\/commercial-vehicle-appraisals.oembed","provider":"PKW Gutachter","version":"1.0","type":"link"}