What to Look for When Buying a Used Semi Truck?

Five Things to Look for When Buying a Used Semi-Truck

When it’s time to add a semi-truck to your fleet of vehicles, it can be more economic to buy one used. But what do you look for when buying a used truck? It’s important to make sure that when you buy a used semi-truck, that not only is it in good condition, but it lasts you for every mile. Don’t forget that someone else used to drive that semi-truck and it’s imperative that you understand how that affects your experience with the truck.

Here are five things to look for when buying a used semi-truck.

1. Body

The first thing to look for when buying a used semi-truck is any apparent and obvious damage to the body of the truck. Are those scrapes along the side superficial, or are they an indicator of serious damage to the truck? Double check the body for rust, as this is another indicator of how much life is left on the vehicle. Further, if there’s rust on the body, there’s a good chance there’s rust under the hood. Any dents or marks on the grill or body could create issues later one and must be addressed as soon as possible; preferably before purchasing the truck.

2. Vehicle History

How many accidents has the truck been involved in? Has the semi-truck been in for regular tune-ups and maintenance work? These are especially important to look for when buying a used truck because a truck that has been taken care of regularly will last much longer than a truck that hasn’t. Potential engine problems can arise from previous owners not taking the truck in for regular oil changes, so that becomes an important thing to look for when buying a used semi-truck.

3. Normal Wear & Tear

Any used semi-truck will have normal wear and tear but ensure that it’s not overly worn out. Check the tire tread to determine when they will be due for replacement and also if there’s uneven and unusual wear on any of the tires.

Note the semi-truck’s mileage. If the truck is well cared-for and has relatively high mileage, then it could be a suitable option for your next semi-truck. If there’s low mileage and the truck has had problems in the past already, then maybe skip on it.

4. Mechanical Features

Look at the axel layout and towing capabilities. Are these features especially important to your line of work? Heavy equipment hauls require a higher towing capacity. Further, axel layout is an important thing to look for when buying a used semi-truck because short distances and long distances need different axel layouts to be effective.

5. Plan for the Future

Do you want to upgrade or upfit your used truck at some point? Do you think you’ll have maintenance work to complete on the truck before you’re ready to take it on the road? Keep these questions in mind when looking for a truck.

If you find yourself in need of a used semi-truck, contact an expert, like the ones at National Truck & Equipment. With a friendly and knowledgeable staff, Robertson Truck Group has been serving the Columbus, Ohio, area for over 35 years. And with an on-site mechanical auto body shop, it’s easy to customize used semi-trucks from inventory to make them work better for you.