There are many reasons to buy a truck. You might need it for work, or because you have a lot of equipment to carry around for your hobby. Perhaps you have a large family, or lots of dogs, and a truck just makes more sense than a ‘normal’ car. Or it could simply be that you love the look of them and the way they drive.
The problem with buying a truck is that they can be prohibitively expensive. Rather than settle for something you don’t really want, however, you might choose to consider buying used. You can find some excellent bargains this way, and, as long as you look out for some specific things when checking the truck out, you shouldn’t run into any trouble. Here’s our guide on how to find the ideal used truck.
- Do Your Homework
Buying a truck is a big investment, and you can’t simply pick the first one you see online or in a dealership and pay for it before driving away. Or rather, you can do that, but it isn’t recommended.
It’s extremely important to do your homework first and research everything you need to know. If you have any friends or family members who are knowledgeable, bring them along and ask (and listen to) their honest opinion.
- Know What You Want
Start with the truck itself. Do you have a specific model in mind? If not, it can be a difficult task finding the ideal used truck – there will be too many to look at. Narrow down your search by determining exactly what it is you are looking for. You don’t have to have a specific make and model in mind (unless you want to), but if you know the maximum amount of miles you will accept on the clock, for example, and what kind of transmission, and how many seats, and all of these important things, you can make a good shortlist of trucks to check out. You also need to have a maximum budget in mind; it would be heartbreaking to find the truck you want only to discover that you can’t afford it.
- Check Out The Dealership
If you are thinking of buying from a dealership, make sure you check them out as well as the truck. Look at their reviews and see if their after service is good or not (just in case you need it). Look at their website; is it up to date? It should be, and if not it could give the impression that they don’t care about their business. This, in turn, means they don’t care about the trucks they sell or the people they sell them to.
Good reviews are hugely important as they will often tell you a lot more than the website will. When you buy a truck, it needs to be safe to drive, and you need to pay a fair price for it. If the dealership you are heading to can offer that, you should be able to find something ideal for your needs.
- Ask Questions
No matter whether you are buying from a dealer or from a private seller, asking questions about the truck you are potentially going to buy is important. Write down the questions before you go, and spend some time thinking about them. This is especially important if you are making a special trip (possibly a long trip) to see a specific truck, or if you are hoping to buy the truck that day rather than seeing any others or going away to think about it.
Ask the following questions:
- Can the vehicle legally be sold?
- Does the car have any outstanding finance?
- Has the truck been written off?
- Can you provide all the legal documents?
- What’s the mileage on the clock?
- How many previous owners has the vehicle had?
You really can never have too much information about something you are going to invest a relatively large amount of money in, even if it is used. If the owner or dealer can’t answer the questions or seems unsure when they do answer, think again about buying there and then, and try to do your own research where possible. You need to know you are doing the right thing when you choose which truck to purchase.
- Analyze the Truck
Don’t feel embarrassed to look at the truck you are considering. Get inside the cab and set up the seating and steering, as well as the mirrors, in the way you would like when you drive. You can then be sure that you will be comfortable if you do decide to buy it.
Look in the glove compartment, check under the seats, make sure the bed of the truck has been cared for, and see if the previous owner used a bed liner. This is something you will want to buy for yourself once you do purchase the truck, to ensure it stays looking good. Read more now about how it works and the benefits of having it.
You should also definitely look under the hood. Even if you don’t know much about a truck’s engine, you will be able to see if it looks well maintained or not. Check the oil and water, and if there is anything you’re unsure about, once again, ask. It’s even better if you can take a qualified mechanic with you when you go to look at the vehicle as they will be able to tell you if there is anything you need to be concerned about. They might even be able to help you get a discount if there is an issue that needs fixing.
- Take A Drive
At the very least, you’ll want to switch on the ignition and make sure the truck you’re considering starts up the first time, and that there are no strange bumps and rattles coming from the engine. Ideally, however, you’ll want to take the vehicle for a drive. There is really no other way to determine whether you’re going to like driving the truck, or to make sure there is enough room for you, and of course to check that everything such as lights, turn signals, safety belts, and even the radio all work to your satisfaction.
When you are driving, make a note of how the brakes feel – are they slow to react, do they feel spongy, or are they just as you would want them to be? What is the steering like? Heavy steering can be uncomfortable, especially after a long journey. Steering that is too light can feel unsafe, though, so you need something in between.
A lot of this will be down to personal taste, and what one person would enjoy about the truck, another might find is the reason they definitely don’t want to buy it. This is why seeing the vehicle in person, and driving it if you can, is the best way to choose.
