What should you check when buying a used truck?

[Dreamer]

This subject has come up many times over the years, but I'd like to get some good advice together in one thread.

Those of you who have bought one or more used trucks, including fleet owners.. what things should be done by someone buying a used truck?

Greg posted this list in another thread. I thought it was excellent, and I hope he doesn't mind me quoting him.

Please give details exactly what to check, and where would be a good idea to go to get it done.

Thanks guys!


Dreamer
Forums Administrator
Expeditersonline.com
Truckme.com



Greg wrote:

There are far too many trucks out there looking for owners than there are owners looking for trucks.

So what is the proper way?

First find a licensed experienced mechanic you can trust to look at the thing even if you are mechanically inclined. It is important to get someone else involved that has no stake in you buying the truck, it gets beyond the selling BS and your need (want) to buy something.

The second thing is go through and have the chassis checked, I recommend VisCheck above others because it will have a report that you get to keep.

The third thing is having the engine Dyno-ed and the ECM dumped and printed. You can have the mechanic explain to you what is in the dump.

The fourth thing is the oil analysis, which will show you abnormal readings – you do not have to have a serious of reading and a base line to see copper or zinc highs in the report that tell you problems. I would also say this, I don’t change oil on my vehicles when I sell them simply because I want the buyer to do the check themselves. I can always substitute oil in that sample bottle from another vehicle to get it to pass, so I would rather lose a sale because I am honest than to screw over someone.

The fifth thing is financing, I do not believe in owner financing unless there is some recourse I have like an exit clause and have my lawyer approve of the arrangement.

 

[greg334]

RE: What should you check when buying a used truck

Dreamer,
No problem and thank you, but I have something else to add I forgot to put in that list.

Always go through the entire truck and look for all the paper work that is left there. During the negotiations ask if there is an owners manual, chassis manual, engine manual and any other manual for the equipment on the truck. These things are important.

Another thing I was buying a truck in the fleet I was leased to, so I called the company and asked for copies of all the records on that truck they had. They didn't have a problem with it at all and it gave me a complete picture of what I was buying.

And lastly, I took the serial number of the engine and truck to the dealers and had them print off the records they had.

 

[ConfusedMuse]

RE: What should you check when buying a used truck

Great ideas both of you.

Try test driving it during the day & night, or even just dark enough to have to turn on the dashboard/headlights and see if they really work. Even do the pre-trip inspection... after all if you buy it...it really is a pre-trip for the rest of it's life ( Long Life)

Sometimes even though you get all these things done, it's still a gut instinct. We trusted the people we bought from, time will tell. We had our mechanic go over it with his idea of a fine tooth comb. We had more problems with the dealers over the box,reefer, and other things. The gift of gab is truly a wondrous gift.