General
- Buy the best condition Unimog that you can afford.
- The year, kms or hours are much less important than the history of the Unimog and the maintenance it has had.
- Decide on the features & equipment which you MUST have against those which are desirable. Whilst it is possible to add equipment to a basic Unimog the costs mount up. Make sure that the Unimog ticks as many boxes as possible.
- Remember that some items such as front 3 point linkages are suitable for DIY fitting so can be bought some months or years after the initial Unimog purchase thereby spreading the cost.
- Beware the “ebay bargain”! If buying a Unimog outside Atkinson Vos you should budget some money to carry out repairs & renovation.
The flexible chassis which allows excellent off road performance and the portal axles which give good ground clearance whilst maintaining a low centre of gravity are cornerstones of Unimog design.
All Unimogs are four wheel drive and have differential locks which can be engaged whilst driving and can be used throughout the speed range.
U900/1100
Agricultural versions with PTOs and three point linkages command a price premium.
Double cab versions are rare and are much more desirable and expensive than single cab versions.
Pros
Lots of character
- Highly manouverable vehicle.
- Practical enough to use regularly
- 45mph cruising speed with standard axle ratio.
- Lots of upgrade options available.
- Excellent parts availability.
- Values are increasing.
Cons
- Gearbox is less robust than later models and can be expensive to repair.
- Cabs suffer from rust and are more complicated to repair than later models.
- Limited supply of vehicles in good condition.
- Restoration of a vehicle in poor condition can be expensive.
- Only 2 seats in single cab.
Only left hand drive so not suitable for export to some countries.
Square cab or SBU models
These are the most common Unimog models. They combine practicality with the iconic Unimog looks.
Agricultural versions with PTOs and three point linkages command a price premium.
Double cab (DOKA) versions are rare and are much more desirable and expensive than single cab versions.
Pros
- Great value for money.
- Good supply of vehicles in a broad range of price and specification.
- Practical enough to use regularly
- 55mph+ cruising speed with standard axle ratio.
- Lots of upgrade options available.
- 100% parts availability including many used & reconditioned parts.
- 3 seats in single cab, 7 seats in double cab (DOKA)
- Right or left hand drive available.
- Minimal depreciation.
Cons
- Less character than older models.
Restoration or repair of a vehicle in poor condition can be expensive.
UGN models U300-500
These vehicles are becoming more available on the used market and depending on your intended use can offer great value for money. However agricultural versions are very rare & usually very expensive.
Pros
- Good supply of vehicles.
- Practical enough to use regularly
- 55mph+ cruising speed with standard axle ratio.
- Some upgrade options available.
- Fibre-composite cab construction so no rust problems on cab.
- 100% parts availability including used and reconditioned parts.
- Right or left hand drive available.
- Low depreciation.
- More suited to front mount equipment.
- CANbus technology for control of implements & equipment.
- Better for heavy towing than older models.
Cons
- Less character than older models.
- Electronics make them less DIY friendly and less suitable for use in isolated areas where a workshop is not easily accessible.
- Large size makes these models less suitable as a personal vehicle.
- Adding additional equipment to a basic Unimog is expensive.
- Little interchangeability of parts and equipment/implements with older models.
Camper
The ex-military U1300L long wheel base models are the most popular base vehicles for a camper. They are readily available and offer great value for money. The quality is consistently high & there is much less variation in equipment, condition and previous use when compared to civilian models.
A typical U1300L will be:
- Left hand drive.
- Low kms (usually less than 50000kms).
- Virtually rust free condition.
- Very well maintained.
- In excellent mechanical condition.
- Year 1981-1988.
The features which make the U1300L particularly suitable for conversion to a camper include:
- Long wheelbase allows for a camper box suitable for long term living.
- Torsion free subframe fitted as standard which provides an ideal basis for a camper box.
- Simple mechanical specification without unnecessary accessories such as PTOs which are often found on civilian Unimogs.
- Flexible chassis design makes these models the best Unimogs off road.
- Suitable for many upgrades to performance, driver comfort and practicality.
- No electronics so very simple to repair in the field.
Other long wheelbase models such as the U1550L37, U1700L/U1750 and U4000 & U5000 also make a good base vehicle.
Personal vehicle
The first decision to make is which model range you prefer:
U411, U421 (U600)and other older models:
Pros
- Lots of character.
- Very compact - will often fit into a domestic garage.
- Great investment if you can find a vehicle in good condition.
Cons
- Difficult to find in any condition.
- Restoration of a vehicle in poor condition can be expensive.
- Not all parts are available.
- Slow on the road so not practical for longer distances.
Only left hand drive so not suitable for export to some countries.
Buying from Atkinson Vos
We supply Unimogs of all ages in a broad range of prices and every Unimog is different. We offer a number of buying options depending on your budget & your expectations.
We welcome independent inspections of any of our vehicles by prior arrangement.
Insurance
It is a commonly held misconception that you can save money on insurance by declaring a lower value for the Unimog.
We strongly encourage all Unimog owners to check that their Unimog is adequately insured.
The Unimog should be insured for its full replacement value rather than the purchase price. This is especially pertinent for older Unimogs where the supply is decreasing and prices are rising.
This insurance valuation include:
-Purchase price of the Unimog.
-Additions such as hitches, linkages etc.
-Refurbishment such as cab repairs (but not repairs & maintenance).
-Lighting & signwriting etc.
We are happy to provide written valuations for insurance purposes upon request.
In the unfortunate event of a claim having the Unimog under-insured can lead to a vehicle being written off and the payout being inadequate to replace the vehicle with something of equivalent quality & specification.
We are authorised repairers for many insurance companies and we are ready to assist you in the event of a claim.