Used Iveco Acco Review
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Used Iveco Acco Review
Is Australia's Legendary Refuse Truck Still a Good Buy?
The Iveco Acco has spent decades doing one of the toughest jobs in Australian trucking.
Stop. Start. Load. Compact. Turn tightly. Repeat it hundreds of times.
That sort of work exposes weaknesses quickly, which is one reason the ACCO became such a familiar sight in Australian waste fleets. IVECO Australia has described it as Australia's longest-standing commercial vehicle nameplate, and the model continues to be developed specifically for vocational applications such as refuse collection. (Iveco Australia)
But buying a used ACCO is a different proposition from buying a new one.
If you're looking at an older ACCO for waste collection, municipal work, hook-lift operations or another vocational application, the condition of the individual truck matters enormously. A cheap ACCO can become an expensive truck surprisingly quickly if the previous operator hasn't maintained it properly.
So, Used Iveco Acco Review: Is Australia's Legendary Refuse Truck Still a Good Buy? Let's look at what really matters before you hand over your money.
Why the Iveco Acco Became So Popular
The ACCO was built around a simple idea: make a truck that can survive demanding vocational work.
Refuse collection is particularly hard on equipment. Drivers are constantly accelerating, braking and manoeuvring, while the body equipment can add another layer of hydraulic, electrical and mechanical demands.
That's why the ACCO's suitability for bodybuilder applications has been important. IVECO says previous-generation ACCO models were popular with bodybuilders because of their chassis layout and mounting options. (Iveco Australia)
There is another important factor.
The ACCO is a purpose-built working truck rather than a highway prime mover wearing a vocational body.
That distinction matters when you're looking at a used example.
Engine and Driveline: What Should You Expect?
The exact engine depends heavily on the year and model.
Later Euro 6 ACCOs used IVECO's 8.7-litre Cursor 9 engine. In one Australian specification, the engine produces either 310 hp and 1,300 Nm or 360 hp and 1,650 Nm, depending on specification. (Iveco Australia)
For refuse work, that torque is useful.
You aren't usually chasing enormous horsepower figures. What you need is predictable pulling power, especially when the truck is loaded and repeatedly pulling away from intersections.
Transmission choice is another ACCO strength.
Later models used an Allison six-speed full automatic, which makes plenty of sense for rubbish collection because the driver isn't continually shifting gears during stop-start work. IVECO has specifically highlighted the Allison transmission as suited to demanding stop-and-go applications. (Iveco Australia)
What to Check on a Used Engine
Don't simply start the engine and listen for strange noises.
Check the service history.
Look for:
Excessive smoke on startup
Oil leaks around the engine
Cooling-system problems
Evidence of overheating
Excessive blow-by
Uneven running
Warning lights
Poor starting performance
Transmission hesitation
Evidence of neglected servicing
If possible, have the truck inspected while completely cold.
A warm engine can hide problems.
The Allison Automatic Is Worth Paying Attention To
If you're buying an ACCO fitted with an Allison automatic transmission, don't assume every automatic is automatically healthy.
Take the truck for a proper test drive.
Pay attention to engagement when selecting drive and reverse. The transmission should operate smoothly without harsh engagement, unusual slipping or strange noises.
Remember that refuse trucks can accumulate enormous amounts of operating hours even when their odometer doesn't look frightening.
That's particularly important when comparing two apparently similar used ACCOs.
Hours matter.
A truck that has spent years crawling through suburban streets can have experienced very different mechanical wear from one that has spent most of its life travelling longer distances.
The Chassis Is a Major Buying Point
The chassis deserves a very close inspection.
A refuse truck spends its working life carrying heavy equipment, and the body mounting points experience repeated loads. Look underneath the truck rather than simply walking around the cab.
Check for:
Cracks around mounting points
Bent chassis members
Corrosion
Poor previous repairs
Damaged cross-members
Oil contamination
Worn suspension components
Air leaks
Damaged wiring
If you're buying an ACCO with an expensive refuse body already fitted, don't forget that you're effectively buying two pieces of equipment.
The truck can be mechanically sound while the body is tired.
And the opposite can also happen.
Don't Ignore the Refuse Body
This is where many buyers get caught.
A used ACCO may look inexpensive until you discover that the compactor, hydraulic system, PTO or body controls need major work.
Depending on the application, repair bills can quickly become significant.
Operate every function.
If it's a sideloader, check the lifting mechanism carefully. If it's a front loader, inspect the arms and hydraulic operation. Look for hydraulic leaks, damaged cylinders, worn pins and sloppy movement.
Listen carefully.
Hydraulic pumps shouldn't sound like they're fighting for their lives.
Also inspect the body for cracks, excessive corrosion and previous repairs.
What About Fuel Economy?
Fuel economy depends heavily on the application.
A refuse truck isn't operating under laboratory conditions. It may spend much of its day idling, accelerating, braking and manoeuvring.
That makes direct fuel-economy comparisons between an ACCO and a highway truck somewhat misleading.
IVECO reported fuel-efficiency improvements with its later Euro 6 ACCO compared with earlier Euro 5 models, while its Hi-SCR emissions system used a passive diesel particulate filter that did not require regeneration downtime. (Iveco Australia)
For a used buyer, however, actual fuel records from the truck's working life are more useful than brochure figures.
If the seller has historical fuel data, ask to see it.
6x4 or 8x4?
This depends entirely on what you're doing.
The Australian ACCO range has been offered in both 6x4 and 8x4 configurations. Current Australian specifications show the 6x4 with a 25-tonne GVM rating, while the 8x4 specification is rated at 28.5 tonnes. (Iveco Australia)
An 8x4 can provide additional axle capacity, but you don't necessarily need it for every application.
Don't buy more truck than your operation requires.
Extra capacity can also mean additional weight, tyres, maintenance and purchase cost.
Cab Comfort Is Better Than You Might Expect
The ACCO isn't designed as a luxury highway cruiser.
That's not its job.
But later models received improvements aimed specifically at vocational drivers, including additional storage and refinements to the day-cab interior. (Iveco Australia)
For a driver spending eight or ten hours in the truck, small things matter.
Check the driver's seat, air conditioning, visibility, controls, heating and ventilation. Sit in the cab for 15 minutes before buying.
Does it feel comfortable?
Can you get in and out easily?
Can you see what you need to see?
These things become important when you're doing hundreds of stops every week.
Safety Has Improved Significantly
Later ACCOs are considerably better equipped than many older examples.
Depending on specification, safety equipment can include electronic stability control, advanced emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, ABS and electronic braking systems. (Iveco Australia)
That doesn't mean an older ACCO should automatically be rejected.
It means you should compare the actual specification of each truck.
Two ACCOs with similar prices may have very different safety equipment.
So, Is a Used Iveco Acco Still a Good Buy?
It can be.
But I'd put it this way:
Buy the condition, not the badge.
A well-maintained ACCO with documented servicing, a healthy transmission, sound chassis, good tyres and a properly maintained refuse body can still be a very useful working truck.
A neglected example can become a money pit.
The ACCO's continued presence in Australian waste fleets is significant. For example, Cleanaway added 23 Euro 6 ACCOs to its Melbourne fleet, including 6x4 models equipped with Bucher Municipal sideloader compactor bodies. (Iveco Australia)
That's a good reminder that the platform has been designed around the realities of Australian refuse operations.
My Used ACCO Buying Checklist
Before committing to a truck, I'd want to see:
Complete service history
Engine-hour information
Transmission service records
PTO and hydraulic maintenance records
Body and compactor service history
Chassis inspection
Cold-start inspection
Professional mechanical inspection
Road test under load if possible
Confirmation of GVM, axle ratings and body weights
And don't forget tyres.
A complete set of commercial truck tyres isn't cheap, so factor replacement costs into your offer.
Final Verdict
The Iveco Acco remains an interesting used-truck proposition for Australian operators, particularly when the truck's specification matches the work you're planning to do.
Its strengths are closely tied to its original purpose: vocational work, manoeuvrability, body integration and the ability to spend its working life doing jobs that would punish an ordinary truck.
The big warning is simple.
Don't buy an ACCO just because it's cheap.
Buy one because the numbers make sense, the mechanical condition checks out and the truck is properly matched to your application.
If you find a well-maintained example with a good history, it could still have plenty of productive working life left.
And with used commercial vehicles, that's what you're really buying: productive working hours, not just a truck sitting in the yard.
Contact Wayne Taylor on 0418 266 994 today for an obligation-free discussion and discover how the right finance solution could help move your business forward.
Note: ACCO specifications vary considerably by model year, engine, axle configuration and body. Always verify the exact VIN-specific specifications, GVM and body configuration before purchasing.