Buying a used truck as opposed to a brand-new one is a great way to save a lot of money.
New cars start to depreciate the moment they’re driven off the dealership lot, so you can usually save thousands of dollars by going with a used truck instead of a new one.
But before you decide to make a purchase, you need to know what to look for when buying a used truck. Otherwise, you could end up purchasing a truck that won’t work for you over the long haul.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the questions you should ask yourself prior to purchasing a used truck.
How Many Miles Are on the Used Truck?
One of the first things you’ll want to check when looking at used trucks is the mileage that they have on them.
The mileage should give you an indication of how much life they have left in them. It should also provide you with an indication of how much maintenance you might have to do on the truck in the coming years.
A truck with high mileage that has been properly maintained is better than a truck with low mileage that hasn’t been maintained. But if a truck has a lot of miles on it and you plan on driving it a lot once you take ownership of it, it might not be the right choice for you.
Use the mileage as a starting point when trying to figure out what to look for when buying a used truck.
Has It Been Maintained Properly Over the Years?
In addition to taking a look at the mileage on a used truck, you should also consider how the truck has been maintained over the years.
Ideally, a used truck should come with a maintenance log that shows all of the things that have been done to the truck. From routine oil changes to transmission services, the log should accurately depict how well the truck has been maintained.
If there isn’t any sort of log, you should have the truck inspected on your own to see if it appears as though it’s been maintained properly. The last thing you want to do is buy it and find out that you need to make a bunch of major repairs due to a lack of maintenance on the previous owner’s part.
Was It Ever Involved in an Accident?
Whenever you purchase a used vehicle, you should always check the accident history on it. If the vehicle was involved in one or more accidents, it could be more prone to needing additional repairs in the future.
A minor fender-bender might not be too much of a cause for concern. But if a truck was ever involved in a serious accident that forced a previous owner to make major repairs to it, you might want to think twice about buying it.
In a perfect world, you want to find a used truck with a clean accident history report that has never sustained damage due to a crash.
Are There Any Signs of Major Wear and Tear on the Truck?
Walk around the exterior of a used truck and take a close look at it.
- Are there areas that are rusting?
- Does it look like the tires will need to be replaced soon?
- Is the bumper filled with scratches and dents?
Most used trucks are going to look like they’re used. They’re going to have some minor wear and tear on them that you’re unfortunately going to have to live with.
But signs of major wear and tear could be a red flag. They could indicate that the previous owner didn’t care for the truck properly, and you could be forced to deal with the side effects of it.
You don’t want a truck that’s going to rust more or a truck that has underlying issues due to the previous owner bumping into things with it. You want the truck to pass the eye test and look like someone cared for it.
Will It Be Expensive to Make Repairs to the Truck?
Most people don’t spend much time thinking about the idea of making repairs to a used truck in the future. But it’s important to consider it because you will likely need to do it.
You should do your research and see how much it would cost to make certain repairs. It can be tough for auto repair shops to find some of the parts for older trucks, so you want to be sure you aren’t going to be forced to pay an arm and a leg to fix your truck in the future if it breaks.
You could very well end up spending all the money you’ll save by going with a used truck over a new one if your used truck needs costly repairs. Try to avoid this scenario at all costs.
Is the Truck Priced Right?
How much money are you really going to save by purchasing a used truck rather than a new one?
At some point, you should sit down and crunch the numbers to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible. You don’t want to buy a used truck now and regret it later when you realize that it’s costing you too much money to keep it out on the road.
A used truck dealer like Clawson Truck Center will provide you with a great price on a used truck. But you should still make sure you take the time to figure out what you can afford and how much you’ll save by going with a used truck instead of a new one.
Always Know What to Look for When Buying a Used Truck
Are you in the market for a used truck at the moment? Before you start looking at the models that are available to you, you should find out what to look for when buying a used truck.
You should also test drive different models to see what you like and what you don’t. It’ll help you make the right decision when it comes to picking out the used truck that will work the best for you.
Check out our blog for tips on inspecting your used truck prior to long trips once you get it and start driving it around regularly.