Tidy Used Atego Curtainsider from Chris Hodge Commercial
Mercedes-Benz Atego trucks take busy distribution routes in their stride, with curtainsider bodies measuring between 20ft and 28ft available on the used market, where prices can be unexpectedly affordable.
The Atego range has been going strong since 1997, and in an effort to continue innovation the manufacturer is even looking to introduce models with hybrid engines in the future, which will further improve its urban deployment credentials.
The smallest Atego curtainsider available used will tip the scales at 7.5 tonnes before its payload has been added, while the larger models peak at 16 tonnes, with larger models slotting into the Axor range. Buying a used rigid body curtainsider benefits those who value attention to detail, but in principle a Mercedes-Benz Atego should be a reliable choice.
Which Euro Level to Buy?
The four- and six-cylinder engines offered as part of the Atego range for this body type are the most efficient currently available, with Euro 6 compliance a given for those trucks built from 2014 onwards. Even older Euro 5 models can come with features that help to save fuel, including automatic engine stop-start technology that eliminates unnecessary consumption while the truck is idling. This is especially convenient for distribution curtainsiders, which may make many regular brief stops along a route.
A Mercedes-Benz Atego curtainsider is fit for various tasks, but at heart it is designed to offer quick access to the load space. This is why many used models will be built with integrated tail lifts - often underslung at the rear for a less obtrusive storage when not in use. A typical tail lift with have a maximum capacity of a tonne, which will no doubt be useful in a variety of scenarios. If a tail lift is advertised on a used Atego curtainsider, make sure that you check it is working correctly and not exhibiting signs that it is in need of repair. Covering costs such as this shortly after taking ownership of a vehicle can be frustrating.
Which cab for the Atego?
For distribution vehicles such as the Atego curtainsider range it may generally be sufficient to offer a day cab. And this is certainly a common choice for buyers of this Mercedes-Benz range, with even the standard cabs offering a good deal of room thanks to the generous dimensions of the ClassicSpace set-up. In the pre-Axor era there are used curtainsiders that carried the Atego brand and weighed in at 18 tonnes, in addition to featuring sleeper cabs for journeys that would cover a little more distance. This difference in branding is worth bearing in mind when buying an Atego so that you know what to expect when looking at specification sheets and the different names that Mercedes-Benz has applied to its trucks over the years.
When buying a curtainsider from the Atego family, it is always worth checking out the load space from the inside, as models which look well maintained externally may not be quite as competently kept within. Typical barn doors at the rear give way to wood-panelled load beds which are generally durable. Do not be afraid to ask questions of previous owners, and make sure that an MOT has been carried out recently to assure the roadworthiness of any used Atego curtainsider.
