What To Look For When Buying A Used Truck
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Whether you’re a first-time truck buyer or have years of experience, used trucks can be slightly different from the standard sedan, SUV, or minivan. Trucks naturally have some more wear and tear, and it’s essential to take a little bit of extra time when buying used to make sure everything is functioning how it should be. Here’s what to look for when buying a used truck.
There are a few things to look out for that are often more specific to used trucks than other vehicles. Several major companies provide seasonal and long-term fleet options; if a truck was used in a fleet, this is a potential red flag.
Because trucks are built to operate, fleet trucks are typically subjected to the most demanding conditions for short-term use. Since fleet vehicles are essentially rentals, these vehicles are prone to high usage in a short amount of time. Avoiding commercial or fleet vehicles is usually good unless you’re receiving a terrific price on the truck.
When you’re doing your research on brands and models, consider what to look for when buying a used truck.
Off-Road Mishaps
Most drivers won’t admit it, but plenty of them have pushed the limits while driving, and trucks are no different. Any four-wheel-drive truck will have been driven off-road to some degree, and you want to make sure you’re not buying a used truck that has been mistreated.
Common areas of damage
- Doors (especially if they don’t open and close quickly)
- Frame and body
- Suspension
- Tires and rocker panel
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Excessive Towing
Since towing is a significant reason buyers choose trucks, towing too much might indicate some unfortunate damage to the truck’s value. The current or former drivers typically have the most intimate knowledge of how much towing was used, but this may not always be a trustworthy answer.
Excessive damage is commonly found:
- Tailgate or back bumper
- Trailer hitch
- Wire harnesses
Even if a used vehicle has all of the above warning flags, the greatest information someone can give you is a history of maintenance invoices, especially the more miles the truck has on it.
If the seller took the truck to a reputable shop for a comprehensive examination, there’s a good likelihood they took care of it. If there is no proof of maintenance, you can do your own inspection.
What to Look for When Buying a Used Truck: Self-Inspection
- Examine the truck only during daytime hours to observe all flaws and make a thorough inspection easier.
- Check the fit of each body-panel joint.
- Check the bottoms of the doors for rough, rusted edges with your hand and light.
- Check the panels on the body from back to front to look for wavy or uneven surfaces.
- If there are any elevated areas on the roof, this indicates that there is rust below.
- Look for evidence of leaking on the interior of each tire for brake fluid and grease.
- Raise the hood and inspect the coolant fluid by removing the radiator cap. It is usually greenish in hue. If the fluid’s color is off or there is rust, the engine will most likely overheat.
- Look for excessive dirt in the air filter and the engine’s surface. Significant levels of grease or oil on the engine indicate that it hasn’t been adequately maintained.
- Look for evidence of recent engine work, such as the edges of new gaskets.
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What to Look for When Buying a Used Truck: A Test Drive
- Turn on the engine and make sure there aren’t any thuds, clanking, or hissing. These noises might suggest a faulty crankshaft or connecting-rod bearing, which is expensive to replace.
- Put the car in drive and set the emergency brake to test whether it holds when it comes off a quick idle. Please put it in park and walk to the back while it idles. Cover the exhaust outlet with a cloth and ball it up. It may be leaky if you don’t feel any pressure.
- Check the car’s switches and accessories for lights, air, and internal monitoring system.
- Turn off the engine and inspect for rust. Even new trucks will likely have minor rust, but keep a watch out for more severe corrosion with more mileage. Look at the wire that spans the back to see if there’s damage to the wiring.
- Drive the car for at least a few minutes and then turn it off and let it cool. If the engine hesitates when you restart the second time, get it looked at by a professional.
- Once the engine is started, slowly accelerate to determine if the transmission upshifts smoothly. Then look for engine smoothness as you go up to highway speeds and maintain it for a short period.
- Try a panic stop in a safe location to see how the brakes react. After that, test the shocks on a bumpy road to determine whether they still control after bouncing. Ideally, no more than three times for shocks in good condition.
After completing these, if the truck is in good shape, you can check for severe wear on the brake pedal, interior and upholstery, and accessories. Accessories may not add significant value to a secondhand truck’s pricing. Still, they can be helpful for everyday convenience and may be costly to repair since they will likely no longer be covered by the warranty.
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When buying a used truck, it’s always important to look at the damage or vehicle history and ownership report. Whether at a dealer or private seller, this is a critical factor in learning more about the car of your potential purchase.
While you can get a general sense of the maintenance by doing an inspection and test drive, a second opinion from a professional is never a bad idea. Depending on the mechanic or body shop, these can typically cost a few hundred dollars but may save you thousands in repair work down the road.
Quick Tips for Buying a Used Truck
To wrap it up, here are some quick tips for buying a used truck:
- Don’t skip the test drive: A test drive is always the best way to determine if the vehicle is worth considering.
- Check the truck’s title: The last thing you want are unpleasant surprises once you register the truck. When buying from a private seller, make sure they have the actual title of the truck in hand and scrutinize it.
- Check for recalls: The truck you’re planning to buy may have deal-breaking issues, so check for safety recalls. A quick method is to visit the website: NHTSA.gov/recalls and enter the truck’s VIN (vehicle identification number). Although safety recalls are often free, it should be an easy pass if the truck has an open recall.
- Get a mechanic’s inspection: Even if the truck looks spotless and the seller promises it runs great, you should get a mechanic to inspect its roadworthiness. A detailed inspection may also give you ammunition to negotiate the final price. We suggest you pass on the truck if there’s a lack of maintenance history documentation.
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