Buying a used truck is much the same as buying a used car, the difference being a used truck has probably taken more abuse. One of the most overlooked tips in buying a used truck is don’t spend too much, save a little money so after the purchase you can afford some repairs. By doing this you can turn a used truck in fair condition into one that is in good to excellent condition. Negotiate fairly, but always negotiate with sellers, it’s expected and even if you only save $75, that’s $75 you’ll have for repairs or insurance.3PL
Particularly when buying a used work truck, ask as many pertinent questions as you can think of. It’s surprising to learn what information some sellers will hold back, that would steer you away from a purchase. Check the truck for a trailer hitch, this may not seem important if you do not intend to tow anything, but the previous owner may have towed too much weight on a 4 or 6 cylinder engine.
Before ever turning the engine over, make a mental checklist of what to inspect. Under the hood, look for leaking fluids, frayed wiring, belt wear and tightness, and overall engine appearance. If possible check the fluid levels, if they are low they may be leaking or the vehicle has been neglected. If the motor oil on the dipstick appears watery or milky brown, the engine most likely has a bad head or head gasket. Remove the oil cap and see if there is a large amount of gunk stuck to the cap, if so regular oil changes have been infrequent. Look at the inside of the hood itself, if there are severe burn marks there may have been a previous engine fire. Look at the tire wear closely. If the wear is uneven and the truck tires are not of the same approximate age there may be a problem with the alignment, struts, or even the frame.
When you finally go for a test drive, put the truck through its paces harshly. Take the truck on the interstate, get some good speed up and see if you notice any rattles. Feel how the truck accelerates, is it smooth and powerful or does it sputter and jerk? Notice if the truck “drifts” when you briefly let go of the steering wheel. In traffic, hit the brakes firmly when no other cars are around, notice if the truck is quick and responsive in stopping with no noises or grinding. If it has an automatic transmission, see how the truck runs in low gear. If a manual transmission see how smooth the shifting is, and how the clutch operates. Get on an incline and see if the clutch can hold the vehicle steady without stalling.
The bottom line in buying a used truck is if it seems as though something is wrong, there probably is something wrong. A good idea is to take a used truck to an auto mechanic for a quick check prior to the purchase.
Categories: Business
