Whether it’s your first time buying second hand trucks or you are a more seasoned veteran, it never hurts to get a little extra help with the buying process. A wrong decision or misstep when purchasing a commercial vehicle (new or used) can have serious ramifications for your business and continued development. Since everyone could use a helping hand now and then, we’ve prepared this detailed list of tips that all buyers should pay attention to when buying used trucks. It will help you avoid the many pitfalls and come out with a better deal for you and your growing business.
TIPS FOR BUYING SECOND HAND TRUCKS
Tip #1 – Be Methodical — Make a List
Before you even head to any lots, you should take time to reflect on your upcoming purchase and consider some questions:
- What are my exact requirements for this truck?
- What is my total budget, including the TCO (see below)?
- What 2-3 models do I want to seriously look at?
- What level of financing and insurance will I require?
When you have clear and unambiguous answers to these questions firmly in your mind, then you’ll be ready to go to the next stage, which is covered in Tip #2.
Tip #2 – Do Your Research
A final pre-purchase tip is to do plenty of research into a range of models before you seriously go looking. Your research should help you winnow down all the choices to a small handful, perhaps two or three models, that you are most interested in. You can then more easily direct any salesman to what you require and save yourself a lot of time looking at things you now know you don’t want or need.
Tip #3 – Use a Reputable Seller – A Dealership is Best
If you can find a truck dealer with a proven track record, good online reviews and a positive sales ethos, then that would be better than approaching a private seller. Private sellers typically sell one vehicle (formerly their own) every now and then, sometimes years go by before they’ll sell another truck. This means they don’t rely on reputation and don’t have to be as forthcoming or upfront about key details. What’s more, if you use a dealership, you’ll find your 2-3 preferred models in one place, and that saves you even more time and hassle.
Tip #4 – Know Your History
Understanding the second-hand truck’s history is probably the most important thing you do. Here are the things to look at in particular:
- Maintenance history – pas tune ups, replaced parts etc.
- Oil change records – have they been consistent in the truck’s lifetime?
- Accident history – past collisions (if any) and extent of previous damage
If any of these three things have significant gaps in the record, then proceed with caution. A reputable seller pushing a fine used vehicle will not be shy about hiding any details.
Tip #5 – Check the Mechanics
Another “must” is to check into all aspects of the vehicle’s mechanics, which include:
- Checking the existing oil in the engine
- Looking for evidence of rust
- Searching for signs of body damage
- Looking at its current mileage
- Inspecting the tread on the tires for serious wear and tear
- Learning about the truck’s power train (hp, torque etc.) and towing capacity
These are fundamental factors that affect the overall reliability (and value) of the truck. It also helps you identify any existing or potential problems. This brings us to Tip #6
Tip #6 – Account for the Total Cost of Ownership
Don’t cast aside a truck with some minor maintenance issues or one in need or minor repairs. If you have the capacity to make repairs or upgrades, then you can add that to the total cost of ownership (TCO) and take it into account. When you combine that with the savings you can make on the purchase price of a truck in need of some care, then your savings can be even greater overall.
Tip #7 – Always Opt for the Top Insurance
Any used vehicle usually comes with a cheaper insurance premium, and that means your budget is more likely to stretch to the high-level insurance option. Get comprehensive cover and any extras that your budget can account for. This means trucks in your fleet will have better insurance than many do on their brand-new trucks.
Tip #8 – Get a Warranty
Finally, if you follow all these tips but still have some doubts about a second-hand truck, then get the seller to issue some kind of official warranty or guarantee. If the truck is as reliable and in as good a shape as the seller claims, then they should haven’t anything to fear. Many reputable dealerships will offer such a guarantee, and that can give you extra peace of mind.
We hope these tips help you in making the right purchase for your commercial truck fleet. There’s always a lot to consider, but if you at least use your common sense, don’t get taken in by clever sales tactics, and keep a thorough and careful approach to researching and inspecting the vehicle, you won’t go wrong.