Most financial experts agree that the benefits of buying a used truck far outweigh the benefits of buying one new. But, if you’re not careful, used trucks can also come with their fair share of problems.
The key to finding a great deal on a truck is to evaluate the truck based on its overall utility. Check out these 7 tips to consider when buying a used truck.
- Source Replacement Parts
Maintenance history is one of the top factors to consider when buying a used truck. But knowing what to expect in maintenance costs after you buy the truck is also important.
Older model trucks might have discontinued parts that are hard to find. The cost of parts on a limited edition model is also a factor.
Research the cost and availability of replacement parts before making a commitment to a used truck. You’ll be glad you planned ahead if anything goes wrong down the road.
Your truck will be rendered useless if a major mechanical component is hard to find after buying the vehicle. Even a small part can turn into a big inconvenience if you can’t get access to the parts you need.
- Ask About an Extended Warranty
Most buyers don’t expect an extended warranty on a used vehicle. But it’s worth asking what the dealership’s warranty is on the truck.
Dealerships offer their own warranty programs to encourage more business in their service departments. The extended warranty coverage can help take away the financial burden that comes with high dollar maintenance issues.
You’ll need to perform a cost comparison between the amount you pay for the warranty and the average cost of maintenance for the truck’s make and model. One way to get this information is through the truck’s maintenance history.
- Choosing an Axle Layout
Truck configurations make all the difference when you’re looking for a vehicle with good hauling capacity. Consider which axle layout works for the kind of activities you need to take care of most often.
For example, are you hauling things across long distances over off-road terrain? How many trips will you need to make per day or week?
You want a solid axle configuration to support the materials you need to haul.
- Horsepower and Towing Capacity
The axle configuration should work with the truck’s towing capacity and horsepower. There are different levels available with drastically different benefits.
For instance, towing construction equipment needs a different level of horsepower than a long-distance trailer. Ask about the truck’s capacity or research the make and model to get the truck’s specs from the manufacturer.
When buying from a private seller, previous owners won’t always have the most accurate details. Having a conversation with the previous owner can still be helpful in determining whether the vehicle was used in the way it was intended.
If a past owner put too much strain on a truck with a lower towing capacity, it can mean problems for you down the road.
- Inspect Tires & Tire Tread
It’s easy to overlook tires when buying a used car. After all, many people consider a truck a fantastic deal if its overall mechanical function is in great condition with low mileage.
While mileage and mechanics are important to consider, so is the current condition of the truck’s tires. Hauling around heavy equipment and materials can put heavy wear and tear on the tires.
Having the wrong tires on the truck can be dangerous. Make sure the vehicle has light truck tires and not passenger tires.
Light truck tires are more expensive than car tires but if you’re lucky enough to get a vehicle with tires in mint condition, you can save money because the tires won’t need a replacement for a while.
You’ll need to examine the tread on all four tires to find out how many miles have been put on them. The tread depth will show you when the tires are due for replacement.
- Accident History
Accident history includes all the collisions and natural disasters a car has been part of. Frequent collisions affect the mechanical function and condition of any parts that haven’t been replaced.
The unreplaced parts may not have been visibly damaged at the time of the incident but could fail at a later date. In general, it’s best to avoid used trucks with a high number of collisions under its belt.
Here are a few questions to ask the seller about the truck you want to buy:
- What type of accidents or collisions has the truck been involved in?
- Do you have records of the repairs that were done?
- How bad was the damage?
- Do you have a list of the parts that were replaced?
It’s possible some of the parts replaced after the accident were major mechanical features you would have to replace anyway. This could be a cost saver if it means you don’t have to replace it yourself in the near future.
- Mileage
One of the top considerations when buying a used truck is mileage. Mileage can tell the story of a vehicle even without you knowing its maintenance history.
The more miles on a vehicle, the greater its life experience. You can usually assume that trucks with high mileage have been through lots of extreme weather patterns, more accidents, and had more wear and tear than low mileage trucks.
Check the engine model to look up when the manufacturer recommends or requires a rebuild based on the mileage. Buying a high mileage truck isn’t necessarily a bad idea.
If you only need the truck for occasional use, you might get additional years, or decades, of use out of it especially if it is well cared for.
Buying a Used Truck
There are so many ways to find good deals when buying a used truck. So much so, that the options can easily be overwhelming.
Opt for sellers in your immediate area where you can visit the vehicle more than once while you make a decision about what you want. For more information or to schedule a test drive, contact us today.
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