It’s estimated that most vehicle purchases are secondhand – for example, 60% of vehicles sold in Canada were pre-owned. Trucks make up about half of those vehicles, as they remain a popular choice for vehicle owners.
Buying a pre-owned truck is a complicated process, evidenced by the many buyers who have experienced buyer’s remorse after buying one. However, if you know what to look for when selecting a pre-owned truck, you should have a quality vehicle that will serve you for years to come.
In this article, we’ll explore some things you should bear in mind when shopping around for a pre-owned vehicle.
When buying a used truck, history matters significantly. You absolutely want to be aware of maintenance history, as this will give you insight into how well the vehicle was cared for. It’s common for sellers to do a few quick repairs before selling a vehicle, but you should know if the vehicle had a history of routine maintenance.
In most cases, you’ll need to take everything said by a seller with a grain of salt. However, if you are purchasing the truck from a used car dealership, you should ask for the truck’s repair and maintenance history. It will give you a clear and detailed picture of the truck’s condition and what you will have to do to maintain it. It will also help you establish what to pay for the truck.
Reliability is crucial when choosing a truck, especially for business purposes. The last thing you want is an unreliable truck that breaks down at the worst times and ruins your business.
According to CharterTrucks.com, you should choose a truck that is easy to operate and can smoothly cover long miles. The Peterbilt Model 579 truck ticks both boxes.
Reliability also implies safety, and you should select a truck with safety features that will make you feel confident that you and your cargo will safely arrive at your destination.
Even though you are not buying a new truck, you should ensure that the one you buy has a solid warranty, particularly if buying it from a dealership. Take the time to scrutinize what the warranty covers conclusively. You should mainly check if the warranty covers the drivetrain and smog system for trucks.
You should also check how long the warranty lasts as it should be quite long for a commercial truck. Some dealerships will offer warranties based on age, while others will offer them based on mileage. A truck warranty should cover at least five years of driving or 100,000 miles of driving.
A truck’s frame is essential. It is the foundation upon which the entire truck is built. The chassis or frame connects all of the truck’s main mechanical parts and is crucial.
Therefore, when choosing a truck, you should ensure that it has a robust and unbent frame. You should never buy a truck with a bent frame.
A bent frame is a sign that it has been part of a devastating trucking accident or several milder accidents. A bent frame could also signify that the truck has been used for heavy-duty tasks such as snow plowing or off-road driving. Get underneath the vehicle and check its chassis; ensure it is strong and straight.
You should expect a commercial truck to have covered a fair bit of ground. However, you should always check the mileage to see how far it has traveled.
Many dealerships will undersell the age and mileage of the vehicle, so do it yourself. You should choose a truck with the least mileage, mainly if you use it to travel long distances.
Choosing a truck is always tricky but selecting a pre-owned one is like navigating a minefield. There are so many pitfalls to avoid. If you check the above factors, you should end up with a pretty good truck.
There is much more to check, and it would be best to have your list ready if you want a worthy truck. The important thing is that the vehicle should best serve your needs.
