A second-hand truck might be just the perfect option for you since it comes at a reasonably lower cost than one straight out of the showroom. According to the latest Truck Industry Council TMARK data, a total of 34,476 van and truck sales took place in Australia in 2020, which was a contraction of 9.2 per cent over the corresponding 2019 figure. But it proves to be a good buy only if it gives satisfactory service over a long duration.
This article will take you through certain checkpoints to cross off your list before making the payment.
- Ensure the reason behind it going up for sale-
It would be best if you were sure the seller you are buying off of is clean, the truck has not been involved in any illegal activities or has no pending accident cases against its registration number. Truck sales are tricky for such legal aspects, and unless investigated thoroughly, they might end up being a burden to you.
- Look into the servicing regularity-
You do not want a worn-out and weary truck to be handed off to you, given the sum of money that you’d be paying. The truck must hold records of regular servicing having been done for you to be sure about its purchase.
- Check the oil and oil change records-
Changing the oil is extremely necessary to remove particles and sludge deposition. Unless the oil can lubricate the engine properly, increased fuel consumption would lead to excessive expenditure.
- Inspect the engine-
The engine, but of course, is the heart of the truck. So unless the heart is hale and hearty, the body will pose a host of problems for you. For proper reading, inspect the engine when it is cool, and check if there are signs of oil splattering, battery corrosion or any loose wires.
- Convey your desired replacements to the owner-
Before buying the car from the owner, make sure to state to him clearly what all replacements you want to be done on his end before the exchange. The seller can determine the final selling price factoring in all these changes, and it’d still be more economical for you because you’ll be saved from the hassles of getting every such minute thing done on your own.
- Tally the odometer reading with truck’s condition-
Give this a good thought. The odometer reading should ideally tell you how much distance the truck has run for in its lifetime to date. But you never know if there have been manipulations to bring about discrepancies, so factor in your estimate and observations while checking that.
- Inspect the car body-
Rust is unavoidable and can be simply a simple problem, but when certain parts of your car rust, they can be a sign of severe damage, such as rust on floor panels, frame rails, wheels, mufflers and exhaust ducts. It is also beneficial to see if certain body parts feel unusually new compared to others. It may have been recently replaced after some severe damage. Also, check the fender and door misalignment. Dents and scratches can also get in the way of your purchase decision. Also, open and close doors, hoods and trunks to check the hinges.
- The Tires-
Last but not least, checking the condition of the tires is quite crucial. They face the maximum wear and tear, that too for such a heavy vehicle.
And now, as a post-script, there’s this reminder to look for the best possible insurance provider to safeguard this asset purchase!