How to buy a used school bus for a skoolie conversion
If you are like us, when you first learned about the cool things you can do with a used school bus, your imagination was flooded with visions of a custom tiny house for epic family road trips, custom tiny spaces and maybe even music festivals!
That’s why we made the “The Ultimate
Yes, you could buy a used school bus but…like…how do you know what to look for? And if you found an old school bus, how do you know if it’s a good bus for your
You may have already started researching online and quickly realized there are a lot of scams or misinformation out there.
We researched the heck out of buying a used school bus for a
Case study: Our personal experience
Where did we purchase our used school bus from?
We purchased a flat nose 2002 Thomas school bus at government auction through GovDeals.com, sight unseen, for $4,500 in Sept 2020 from Sumner County School Board in Gallatin, Tennessee.
We called a remote diesel mechanic to inspect the bus before we purchased it.
Watch the vlog where Eric sees our own bus for the first time.
What did we look for in our first bus?
We are a family of five with no pets and needed a full sized school bus. We wanted a strong engine for driving up hills and mountains.
The perfect bus for us ideally would look like:
- Cummins diesel engine (5.9L Cummins or 8.3L Cummins)
- limited surface rust
- mileage under 100K preferably
- no major mechanical issues with evidence of proper maintenance
- no handicap access
- 35 feet or longer
- good tread on the school bus tires
What we learned during our school bus conversion
Timelines Change
We thought we could complete our skoolie conversion in 4 months. Our
How much storage space do you need?
A key part in planning before you buy is determining how much storage space you will need, and not just on the interior.
Don’t forget the exterior since that is where you may be mounting things.
We got really lucky here because we had enough space underneath to mount our AC condenser and gray tank. Our bus came with 3 large storage bins already mounted, which allowed for ample storage and installation of our propane tanks.
Engine Location
We bought a flat nose bus, so our engine block sits next to the driver seat. A school bus engine puts off a lot of heat, like over 200 degrees Fahrenheit!
It is brutal in the summer without AC inside the bus, even with the windows down.
In hindsight, we would have preferred a rear mount engine or an engine mounted outside the front of the bus (also known as a “dog nose bus“).
Case study of our budget
Purchase budget
- Used school bus purchase price: $4,500 in September 2020
- Mechanical inspection with a mobile mechanic: $350
Build-out of our school bus conversion
- High-quality finishes, 6-panel solar array, DC fridge, professional inspections, labor: $50,000
On-going maintenance
- Surprise repair in May 2021 in Miami, Florida (brake line repair + new tire): $4,000
- General maintenance and upgrades by Mechanic in Worcester, Massachusetts: $10,000
- 5-days Hotel accommodation when we couldn’t live in the bus: $1,000
Do you need construction experience to make a skoolie conversion?
My husband, Eric, took on our
He had limited to no experience in building, and relied heavily on resources online, the
He tried to follow RV builder code as much as possible, and scheduled professional inspections at the rough-in and final stages for plumbing, electrical and gas.
Eric spent about as much time researching before actually performing the activity, specifically around the electrical, gas installation and solar array set-up.
Poor electrical decisions can lead to fire hazards. Eric studied for at least 2 weeks on how to properly install the 12V DC and AC electrical systems and consulting with several electricians prior to ordering the supplies.
Best places to buy a used school bus for sale
Survey responses from the skoolie community
I surveyed the
Overwhelmingly, the results and discussion in the comments section showed that many of you purchased a bus locally on Facebook marketplace!
I categorized the responses into nine source categories listed below. Within each category are seller recommendations that I will go into more detail in the next sections.
Sources of used bus sales
- Auction
- Business
- Dealer
- Employer
- Government or Not-for-profit
- Online marketplace
- Private party
- Skoolie builder
- Trade
Thank you to all the participants from the Facebook groups:
If I had surveyed a larger pool of people (more than 30), the results may have changed; however, I think the results are normal for a person polling people in the
Auction
A benefit to using an auction site is that you may have more payment options available to you, like credit card, than a direct sale to a seller who may only take cash or certified check.
Additionally, you may find more businesses than private sellers listing buses for sale on an auction site, since the auction staff can help them list and sell their used bus fleet quickly.
eBay
One person surveyed purchased their bus on eBay. When I searched on “school bus” in the eBay search bar, I was pleasantly surprised by the selection of used school buses available, including fully converted school bus conversions for sale.
eBay is a “household name” and reputable marketplace offering great buyer protection and payment options.
Gov Deals
This site allows government agencies to offer used goods. In fact they have tons of cheap school buses being sourced from school districts retiring their old fleets!
This site has become the national clearing house, and you can find used school buses for sale in basically of the USA.
An added benefit to purchasing through a middle man like this website is that you have some protection if the used school bus is in worse condition than stated.
Furthermore, the school districts and other government agencies selling off fleets of retired school buses have no personal interest in them. They are unlikely to hide flaws and failures on purposes to mislead a new buyer.
How to bid on buses on GovDeals.com
- Click “Register” in the top right corner to create an account.
- To find the used school buses, choose “Bus, Transits and Schools” on the home page.
- For a more specific search, used the Advanced Search at the top of the page. Select the “Find vehicle” tab. I recommend restricting the maximum price range between $0 to $15,000 or whatever your budget allows (the default price range is $0 to $50,000), and the location to a maximum radius from your home base. If you’re in Florida, driving to Alaska for a used school bus is pretty unreasonable.
- Decide on the used school bus or school buses that you want to bid on.
- Register a credit card when bidding. If you win the auction, they will a deposit first and then eventually the full payment due.
- Read the fine print since not every auction follows the same rules: we were allowed to inspect the vehicle before final purchase.
- Some auctions carry a reserve. That simply means that if the seller doesn’t receive a high enough price (the “reserve price”) then even if you win the bid, you may not be allowed to buy the school bus. To avoid reserve auctions, you can filter those auctions out.
- Expect active bidding at the end of the auction to occur, which may extend the clock. For example, if an auction is set to end at 5:00pm and bids continue coming in within 2-5 minutes of the auction’s scheduled end, then the time allowed to bid may increase by 2-5 minutes. This helps the seller receive the highest price from the most serious buyers.
- When bidding closes and you win your used school bus, the feeling is a mixture of happiness, relief and anticipation of what is to come.
- Make your deposit with the credit card on file.
- Schedule a mobile mechanic to inspect the school bus at the fleet yard or review the mechanical records prior to complete payment.
- Coordinate a time to pick up your school bus!
To locate the bus auctions, from the home page, navigate to the left side to Categories. Click “motor pool” then “school bus.”
JJ Merchant
One person surveyed got their bus here. This appears to be small auction site and there weren’t many active auctions at the time I visited. Maybe you can score a deal here if you keep checking back.
Public Surplus
This auction site is another government surplus site that has a variety of products for sale, including used school buses.
Business
Bus charter or bus operator
Two people surveyed said they purchased their bus from a bus charter or bus operator. These would be companies that maybe operate tour groups and a 3rd-party operator that provides buses to business or individuals for a fee.
Bus Dealer
AAA Bus Sales
Two people surveyed purchased their buses here. AAA Bus Sales in Pheonix specializes in sales, parts and services of buses.
Don Brown Bus Sales
Another two people surveyed relayed the positive experience they had working with Don Brown Bus Sales out of Johnstown, New York. There is also finance, service and parts divisions.
Employer
One person surveyed purchased their bus from their boss. If your employer runs buses, ask them if they plan on retiring any of the fleet soon.
Government or Not-for-profit
Of the people surveyed that purchased from governments or not-for-profit organizations, the responses showed bus sales from the following places:
- Church
- School Systems, School Districts, & School Boards
- YMCA
School Systems, School Districts, & School Boards
You may find luck individually contacting a school system, school district or school board directly to purchase your used school bus.
However, it is a lot easier to simply go to a reputable auction site that works with many school boards. We personally bought our used school bus from a school district using GovDeals.com.
Online marketplace
Eight people surveyed said they purchased their
Facebook Marketplace
8 people surveyed purchased their old school buses on Facebook Marketplace.
There’s no middleman so you can negotiate with the seller individually.
Craigslist
One person surveyed said she bought her bus on Craigslist. This community-lead forum is a great source for finding your school bus conversion, if you’re willing to look.
Bus For Sale by Owner Classifieds
Below are listed a number of sites specifically referencing classified ads for nearly everything related to school bus conversion sales, like school buses for sale, bus conversions for sale, skoolies for sale, and converted bus for sale.
- Finished Skoolie For Sale
- School Bus, Skoolies and Bus Conversion For Sale Classifieds
- Bus/van/skoolies by Sarah – Tiny House Listings
Private Party
Be cautious when buying direct from the owner versus using a middle man or a business, like a school district, since that person has a greatly likelihood of deception because of financial interest.
Make sure that they’re selling what they claim they are selling.
Below are some helpful tips when dealing directly with a seller:
- Use common sense. If the price seems too good to be true, ask yourself why that is.
- Call the DMV. Check the VIN number on the bus to see if it has been reported stolen.
- Ask for proof of ownership like a bill of sale or registration form.
- Is it currently insured? Get a copy of the policy.
- Is it registered with plates?
- Is it safe to drive? Has it been in any accidents?
- Are there any mechanical issues? Walkthrough the bus with the owner, if possible, and ask specific questions concerning common problem areas like surface rust, leaks, structural issues, engine issues and engine maintenance.
- Has the owner recently had it serviced? Ask for records and receipts.
- Will the owner allow you to have your mechanic take a look?
- What method of payment do they want?
You will pay taxes at the DMV when you register the vehicle. You’ll need to include the purchase price on the Bill of Sale.
Facebook Groups
We frequently see postings of school bus conversions in a number of popular Facebook Groups. Try searching within Facebook using terms like:
- Skoolie for sale
- School bus conversion for sale
- Skoolie Buy Sell Trade
I’ve compiled links to some of the Facebook bus groups specifically mentioning
- RV-Skoolie-MotorHome BUY/SELL/TRADE
- Skoolies for sale Public Group
- Skoolie Nation’s Buses for sale by owner
- SKOOLIE STUFF – BUY-SELL-TRADE
- Skoolies/Schoolies/School Bus Conversions For Sale USA
- Skoolies For Sale
- Skoolie Planet Bus Sales
The
Many share candid photos, videos, and information about conversions, offer advice and promote school bus sales.
Skoolie Builder
Depending on your budget and timeframe, using a reputable
Natural State Buses
One person surveyed said they bought their school bus conversion from Natural State Buses builder located in Bentonville, Arkansas.
According to their website, they specialize in:
- Roof raises
- Window & door installation
- Spray foam insulation
- Demo
- Interior build-out
Trade
One person responded to the survey that they traded their old RV for their used bus, and I think that’s an awesome way to make a swap between like-minded people. This is also a cashless option.
Google search
When all else fails, google it! Google is a powerful search engine. It knows your location and can easily pull up local bus yards in close proximity to where you live.
Try searching on long-tail keywords like:
- “School bus for sale near me”
- “Old school bus sales”
- “Used school bus auction”
- “Retired school bus dealer”
- “Buy school bus”
- “Cheap school bus”
- “Converted school bus”
- “Used buses”
- “Buy a school bus”
Safe & Strong Construction
There are a lot of things to consider when buying an old school bus. However, there is one thing you shouldn’t have to worry about, and that’s whether the bus you are looking at buying is safe or not.
School buses are built to be extremely safe.
School bus manufacturers must follow strict safety regulations because these vehicles transport children.
I go into detail on why we purchased a retired school bus instead of an RV because of the quality of construction in this blog.
What sizes do school buses come in?
We can break the types of school buses into three sizes:
- Full sized school bus
- Mid sized school bus
- Short school bus
Read this blog on how to determine what size school bus you need.
Full sized school bus
A full sized bus is greater than 30 feet long, with the maximum length reaching around 45 feet. These are the most common buses you see.
Since long buses are a dime a dozen, the sales price compared to that of a short bus may be less.
These size buses are best suited for four or more occupants, though reasonably under 6-8 people living on board.
Mid sized school bus
Mid sized school buses will fall somewhere between 20 feet to 30 feet. This size school bus is like Goldilock’s porridge: not too big, not too small, but just right. It provides enough interior space while not taking up too much space at say a parking lot.
This size bus can accommodate two to four occupants living on board. Any more than that, and you may wish you had a longer bus.
Short school bus
A short bus is less than 20 feet. They are less common to find, but are a great option if you’re a single person or couple that don’t need as much space or wants to be more invisible in public.
Short buses may be the perfect size for one to two people looking for something larger than a van, but smaller than a long bus.
How wide is a school bus?
The general width of a school bus is between 7-9 feet, including the mirrors. This is because school buses must navigate neighborhoods and city streets just like any normal vehicle would, and the government(s) place restrictions on the width.
How heavy is a school bus?
Most non-converted and school buses conversions weigh between 10,000 to 25,000 generally, depending on the size, finishes, and personal belongings. These are solid-built steel beasts, but you wouldn’t know it because the engine is made to pull it.
As a reference, our large converted school bus weighs just around 22,000 to 24,000 pounds. Read about our features and upgrades in this blog.
If you aren’t sure how much your bus weighs, you can take it to a truck weigh station. Read this blog on how to find a weigh station near you.
What are the best used school buses to buy?
One of the most common question asked by those looking to buy their first school bus is “what are the best buses to buy?” It depends on several factors.
- Your needs (are you a single person or a family of 5?)
- Your goals (do you have 2 months for the build or 1 year?)
- Living situation (will you live part time or full time in your
skoolie ?) - Your budget (how much can you afford to spend on the school bus, repairs, build-out and on-going maintenance?)
What to know before buying a used school bus?
How much does a used school bus cost?
During our search, we found the cost of an old school bus starts at around $4,000 and can go as high as $15,000, depending upon the age and condition of the bus.
School buses are generally sold at a deep discount from their original price (over $150,000).
They are sold either because they are too old for their intended use or because the owner has upgraded to a newer bus.
How many miles will a school bus last?
School buses are designed to last for well over 500,000 miles. But that doesn’t mean that a school bus will last for well over 500,000 miles in every case.
The exact number of miles you can get out of a school bus depends on how the bus is used and maintained.
If the bus is used for just one purpose — transporting students — and kept at a reasonable speed (no more than 65 mph), it will likely last much longer than if it’s used as a workhorse to run errands and haul cargo.
School buses are also built with safety features to help them endure accidents. But even these safety features have their limits. If a school bus crashes at 35 mph, it may not be able to withstand the force.
If it crashes at 15 mph or slower, its safety features and construction can help the bus survive longer.
How do you make sure your school bus has a long life?
There are other things you can do to keep your bus in top condition and in good working order. We’ve listed a few below:
- Inspect it weekly for leaks (more frequently if driving regularly)
- Treat surface rust quickly
- Power it own to make sure the batteries have a charge and the air brakes (if any) engage
- Check oil levels
- Replace worn-out parts before they become hazardous.
Should you buy a bus that has already been gutted and renovated?
Pros for Gutted:
- You can more easily examine the bus for rust and water intrusion during your inspection.
- You will save a lot of time and money by eliminating the need to completely gut the inside of the bus yourself.
- You don’t have to dispose of all the seats, wall panels, scrap metal and hardware
Pros for Not Gutted:
- It may cost less since no labor has been performed to demolish the interior
- You don’t get that first experience of gutting your bus
Before buying guide
Decide what are key things you’re looking for like length, engine size and how far are you willing to travel to get it?
In order to make the best decision possible, you need to know what to look for and where to look. It is also important to know what you should avoid.
While some of these tips may not apply to every situation, they are easy enough to follow that they will help you identify a good purchase before buying.
Skoolie Buying Guide Questionnaire
- What’s your purchase budget?
- How far are you willing to travel to pick it up?
- Have you reviewed the bus’s mechanical history?
- Will you or a mechanic inspect the bus before purchase?
- How will you purchase the bus?
- Will you use it for full time or part time living?
- How will you insure it?
- How will you register it with your DMV?
- How much have you budgeted for maintenance and repairs?
- What are the bus weight maximums?
- What type or size of engine does it have?
- Where is the engine located: inside-front, inside-rear or outside.
- Is there a Handicap access?
- Does it have air brakes or hydraulic brakes?
How to inspect before buying a school bus
Inspection by a Mechanic
If you aren’t qualified to do an inspection before buying, find and pay a mechanic. The inspection will run you between $300-$500, depending on where the mechanic is coming from and the time it takes to perform the inspection.
We found that where there was a large fleet or auction of buses, there was usually a mechanic shop nearby. You can search for “diesel mechanics” near the area your bus is located.
The first thing you should do when considering buying a used school bus is to have it inspected by a mechanic. The second thing you should do is have it inspected by a mechanic. Thirdly, get another mechanic to inspect the bus. Fourthly, get two other mechanics to inspect the bus, just in case they missed something the first three times.
Trucks of this size and age are not often bought by individuals, but rather companies that deal in used school buses. There are several reasons why buying a used school bus from one of these companies is a much safer bet than doing so from an individual.
The most obvious reason is that they’ve been inspected by mechanics who know what they’re doing and who can answer any questions you may have about the state of the vehicle’s mechanical condition.
The body
You have to look at the outside of the bus for rust and in areas that may have contact with water in the interior like window sills and stairs.
Rust is really common with buses in the north that experience snow or that are more coastal, where the salt content is higher.
Rust can do significant structural damage to the steel frame of a school bus if left unattended.
Check the school bus tires for dry rot or cracks. Make sure that all doors open and close properly. If there is no air conditioning system then check if there is any water damage from condensation due to not having A/C.
Make sure that all of the lights, turn signals and other things are working properly.
The engine
Look at the engine of the bus for oil leaks and check for any signs of damage which would indicate that it was in a crash or flood or otherwise damaged.
Make sure to check underneath for oil leaks coming from any parts near the bottom of the engine block.
Conclusion
After reading this you should have a better idea of what to expect when you buy an old school bus and the steps you have to take in order to convert it into a
The more time you put in upfront before you shell out cash will save you from more headaches down the road.
If you still think that it’s worth the risk, then go ahead and give it a shot. It will be an adventure you’ll remember for the rest of your life. We did and we don’t regret it!
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