19 Dec Precautions When Buying a Used Truck
Buying a used truck is one way you can avoid the expensive price tags and the high depreciation rates on new ones. While purchasing a used car is a wise decision, you need to be a little bit smarter and cautious than when buying a new one. Used trucks have all sorts of damages perfectly concealed and if you are in a rush while buying, those damages may end up costing same if not more than buying a truck. Instead of acting the ignorant buyer whom the truck seller is going to take advantage of, use the following checklist to determine the condition of the truck before buying.
Ensure you Buy the Truck either from Original Owner or Registered Dealer
An original owner or a registered dealer will know the real condition of the truck and will happily let you know of any faults that might require a mechanical attention. Better still, such a seller can go an extra mile of having the truck checked up and repaired before selling it to. A curbsider, on the other hand, is not licensed and will not have all information entailing the condition of the truck.
Acquaint with the Dealer
If you are buying the truck from a dealer, you need to take your time to know his dealing history. Seek out reviews from previous clients and learn about the condition of used trucks he has sold. If he has a clean slate, then you can trust him to sell you a used truck that is as good as new.
Watch Out for Appealing Deals
If you are going through a used truck listing and you come across one deal that looks too good to be true, do not rush into buying the truck. Instead, take your time to learn about the history of the truck and even go as far as asking your mechanic to check and test the truck before buying it.
Check the Odometers Condition
The odometer can tell you how long the truck has been used. Unfortunately, there are some crooked sellers who interfere with odometer readings to fool the buyer. If you see any cracks or scratches, that is enough evidence that the gadget has been tampered with and its readings are wrong.
Seek a Mechanic’s Assistance in Double Checking the Condition of the Truck
An experienced mechanic will be the perfect person who will help you in inspecting the truck and determining whether it is in the same condition as the seller has advertised. He also knows all the parts to inspect when buying a used car.
Ensure it has a Legal Vehicle Registration Number
When buying a used truck, there are chances that you might come across cons who have stolen a truck and swapped its identification number with that of a legally registered vehicle. To avoid falling for such a scam, make sure you double check the VIN to match all other papers including the door sticker, dashboard sticker, and any other trucks paperwork.
Verify the Price
After ensuring the car meets all the qualities of a used truck, be sure to verify that the price its being sold is worth. You can seek prices from different dealers online and compare the prices they offer against that of the truck you are buying.