Whether you are considering buying a used boxvan, curtainsider, tipper or chassis cab and you are looking for Isuzu, MAN, Mercedes, Iveco or DAF, Malcolm Taylor Commercials will help you find what you need. With more than 3 decades of experience in the second-hand trucks for sale industry, Malcolm Taylor Commercials boast an impressive inventory of good condition vehicles with low mileage and a full history check.
Buying a used truck involves preparation and research. Besides establishing a budget and determining your requirements and preferences, you should also find a reliable and trustworthy seller that offers a warranty, full history and peace of mind for the vehicle. Buying a used truck might seem overwhelming at first but when you break down the process, follow a checklist, and carefully assess your options, you will find the decision to buy second-hand was the smart decision.
The Benefits of Buying a Pre-Owned Truck
Price
Without a shadow of a doubt, the biggest advantage of purchasing a pre-owned truck is the price tag. Whether it’s been used for a couple of months or for a couple of years, you can rest assured you will be getting a lower price tag than buying a brand new truck.
Depreciation
Any type of brand new car instantly depreciates the second its first buyer drives it off the lot. And this is also valid for trucks as well. The first owner of a truck takes a big hit while the subsequent owners only reap the benefits of depreciation. When you buy a truck that is two years old, it continues to depreciate, however at a much slower rate.
Condition
Nowadays, trucks are designed and built to last for over 200,000 km, when maintained properly. When you are investing in a pre-owned truck, you don’t have to sacrifice condition, safety or reliability. And you shouldn’t. There are a plethora of options to choose from and finding a “like new” truck in excellent mechanical condition is not impossible, especially when you are working with a trustworthy and reputable used trucks seller.
The Checklist for Buying Used Trucks
- Create a list of your requirements – do you know what you will be using your truck for? Answering this simple question before starting your search for the ideal pre-owned truck will simplify matters enormously. It will help you narrow down the requirements you should be looking for, making the entire process more time-efficient.
- Establish your budget and plan for future improvements/add-ons – now that you know what you are looking for, it is time to establish a budget. What is the total sum you will be willing to spare? Keep in mind that you shouldn’t spend all your budget on the truck, as you might need to make improvements, change certain parts, invest in add-ons, sign up for insurance and pay different fees.
- Find a reputable seller –one of the most important aspects when buying a used truck is finding a reputable, trustworthy seller. Purchasing a pre-owned truck is a significant decision that should never be rushed, even more so when you have to factor in multiple aspects such as its history, mechanical and overall condition, replacement parts, add-ons and upgrades. Finding a reputable seller does not only guarantee peace of mind but also a lower price tag and no hidden issues.
- Cut down your options to a few choices – selecting the ideal truck for your needs and preferences can be overwhelming. Narrow down your choice to a handful of trucks that meet all of your criteria and decide which aspects you value the most: your budget, the overall condition of the truck, the mileage or something else? By figuring out these important aspects, you will be able to make a decision easier by eliminating the trucks that don’t meet your criteria until you are only left with a single one.
- Check the truck’s history –running a history check for the pre-owned truck you are looking to purchase is an important step on your checklist. Before you invest time and effort in inspecting the tiny details of the vehicle, make sure to get the full picture of the truck’s background. Whether it has been regularly maintained or not can say a lot of things about the previous owner and the amount of care that went into keeping the truck in excellent shape.
How to Buy a Pre-Owned Truck
Besides inquiring about the truck’s accident history, oil change and maintenance records, you should also inquire and examine other important aspects. Answering these questions at the beginning of the process will save you money in the long run and can keep unpleasant surprises at bay.
History Check
· Why is it being sold?
Approach every pre-owned truck bearing in mind that the previous owner decided to sell it. It is the buyer’s duty to investigate and find out the reason behind the sale. Find the answer to this question before you get too invested in the truck. Take into account that the truck may have mechanical issues. Once you purchase the second-hand truck, you will become responsible for these issues and, most importantly, you will be using money out of your own pocket to fix them.
· What does the maintenance history look like?
The maintenance record – whether thorough or not – can tell you a great many things about a pre-owned truck. This will give you a good idea about the overall history of the vehicle and let you know what you can expect from the truck if you decide to buy it. Keep your eyes peeled for red flags such as poor maintenance or replaced parts. The owner might simply be selling because they are upgrading or don’t need the truck anymore but it’s always a good idea to make sure you don’t inherit a handful of issues that will prove very costly down the line.
· Are there consistent oil changes?
Besides examining the maintenance history, before purchasing a pre-owned truck, look at the oil change record. This will help you paint the full picture of the truck’s history of tune-ups and maintenance appointments. Make sure the pre-owned truck doesn’t surprise you with engine problems down the road and take the time to look at the oil change records. A good sign of thorough maintenance is regular oil changes.
On the other hand, a red flag that should definitely not be ignored are inconsistent oil changes or no oil changes at all. This might indicate a complete lack of maintenance and could hint at various other different problems that you can’t identify at a glance! The seller or dealer might be able to provide additional information on this matter so don’t shy away from asking them to clarify any questions.
· Is there an accident history?
An important step of assessing a pre-owned truck is being aware of the accident history (if there is one). This will help you paint a clearer picture of the truck’s history and assess its current overall condition. Find out what kind of accident the truck was in and inquire about the damage.
It’s important to find out if the damage was extensive and what parts had to be removed and replaced as a consequence. The reason behind this thorough examination is to make you aware of what you would be investing in. Take your time in assessing the truck and don’t hesitate to ask for more information or further clarifications.
· Does anything need to be replaced?
Tying in with the question above, this one too will bring you a step closer to getting a good grasp on the truck’s overall condition. There are a few reasons why it’s important to determine if anything needs to be replaced or upgraded. Replacements translate to costly investments, especially when they’re least expected and take you by surprise.
Avoid surprises and do your due diligence beforehand. If you notice parts that need to be replaced or upgraded, point them out to your seller and try to leverage them for a better price. If you notice parts that have been replaced or upgraded, take it as a good sign: it proves that the truck was well-maintained by the previous owner and it also offers the peace of mind that you won’t need to invest in replacement parts later on.
Overall Quality Check
· Body rust and damage
The vehicle’s exterior is as important as the interior and what’s under the hood. But do you know what you should be paying attention to when you are purchasing a pre-owned truck? Some issues might not be evident at a first glance but a closer examination will reveal any problems with the vehicle. Check the truck for rust and closely look at the doorframes and everything else for rust on the exterior as well as within the structure.
The easiest way to spot any issues is to look closely and see if there are any raised spots on the paint. These are usually an indication that there is rust underneath. In a similar vein, you should look for body damage that might prove problematic down the line.
Keeping all of this in mind is vital and you should always be sure to buy from someone you trust. Here at Malcolm Taylor Used Trucks we like to see ourselves as a trustworthy source for used trucks, so feel free to check out the used trucks we offer for a safe & secure deal!
