Ten Things to Consider When Looking for a Used Truck

There’s no stronger bond than the one forged between driver and pickup truck. Ok, there may be a few bonds stronger, but our point is that it can be stressful when your trusty workhorse is getting tired, and it’s time to begin searching for another truck you can trust to get things done. But you are in luck! With the soaring popularity of pickup trucks today, our car dealership has an extensive inventory of used pickup trucks in every cab size and bed length, offering a variety of towing and off-road abilities. You will also discover different powertrain options to select the truck with the right horsepower and torque to handle what you’re going to throw at it. 

Choosing to shop our used selection will save you thousands of dollars versus buying a brand-new model. For the budget-conscious, buying used is an excellent way to set yourself up for financial success. Let us help guide you through our incredible selection of popular trucks by diving deeper into the top ten things to consider when shopping for a used truck.

#1 – Engine Condition

What good would a truck be if the engine is in poor condition? Beyond a look at the service records for regularly performed scheduled maintenance and being sure the vehicle has never been in a collision, it is generally stated that shopping for a truck with a gas engine under 100,000 miles is a good practice to enjoy smooth driving performance and better longevity. If you are more interested in a diesel engine with more lower-end torque for immense pulling power, the general rule of thumb is to shop for a diesel engine that has less than 200,000 miles. Take a test drive and be sure to listen for any unusual engine noises like squeaks and take a quick peek underneath for any sign of fluid leaks.

#2 – Towing and Payload Capacity

Within our large inventory, we have pickup trucks of all capabilities. We can help match your towing and payload needs to a model we have on our lot today. Many of our pre-owned pickups come from previous owners who added factory towing packages or even aftermarket accessories to make your heavy hauling needs for the jobsite or farm easier and more convenient. Many of today’s towing packages have comprehensive features that add stability to towing a heavy trailer as well as better monitoring while on the road with digital rear view mirrors and even trailer wheel air pressure information.

#3 – 4×4, All-Wheel Drive, or Front-Wheel Drive

Deciding between 4×4 or all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive is directly dependent on what kind of driving experience you intend to truck through. If exploring hilly, mountainous terrain with a lot of deeply rutted and muddy backcountry paths, you’re definitely going to want to invest in 4×4. With slightly higher maintenance costs, that’s the only drivetrain that will deliver the peak performance you need for those conditions. Front-wheel drive is a great option for enjoying the versatility of a pickup truck with lighter towing abilities and the added benefit of being more fuel efficient and requiring less routine maintenance. 

#4 – Visible Body Condition, Rust, and Frame Integrity

With our closely inspected inventory, we offer quality trucks to take the worry out of shopping for a pre-owned pickup. Still, it is great practice to look over a pickup truck’s cab body, especially in the lower rear corners, and the overall bed condition to look for rust, dents, or cracks as a sign of condition. The wheel wells should also be looked over and through them, you can peek at the frame for any signs of rusting. Deeply flaking rust on the frame is a sign that you should shift your interest to a different model.

#5 – Transmission Performance

Transmission quality, beyond obvious fluid leaks, can be determined on a test drive. Signs of wear include slipping, delayed shifting, and any strange noises you experience on the road. If the area you are driving in provides these conditions, try a variety of speeds as well as driving up a hill to get a feel for the transmission’s performance. Our inventory has a selection of automatic and manual transmission drivetrain trucks for you to choose from.

#6 – Suspension and Ride Quality 

For suspension wear, take a look at the truck that has caught your eye and walk around it to note any sagging or any sign of an uneven stance. Peek through the rear wheel wells and check the leaf springs, if equipped, and note if any of them are cracked. You can also look through the front wheel wells to check the coil springs, and also note that there are no cracks or broken ends. On a test drive, feel for driving smoothness and stability.

#7 – Maintenance and Repair Records

Maintenance and repair records are great for giving you a general idea of the past service history of the vehicle. Some previous owners may not have been good at keeping these kinds of records, but luckily, buyers can turn to a resource like CARFAX to find out more about the truck you’re interested in. It’s also a great idea to schedule an appointment with your trusted mechanic as an outside source and professional opinion about the condition of the used truck you’d like to buy.

#8 – Interior Condition and Feature Function

Some people form many opinions on the quality of a pre-owned vehicle based on the condition of the driver’s seat. Although its condition can give you a rough idea of how much time the previous owner spent behind the wheel, it’s not a tell-all. Check out the buttons on the dash, wear on the door panel, and be sure to test these features. Roll every window up and down, try the sunroof if equipped, test the radio, and turn up the volume to listen to the speaker quality. Even if it’s summer time, be sure to run the heat from the vents as well as try the seat heater for both front seats if equipped. Turn on the AC and be sure it blows cool air. 

If the truck comes with unique upgraded features in the bed, try those out as well. Open the tailgate and test the different features if it is a multi-function tailgate. Turn on the exterior lighting and on a test drive, test out the various camera angles on the infotainment touchscreen if equipped, especially in reverse if you plan on towing.

#9 – Tire Condition and Brake Wear 

Check the tires for uneven wear and to note the tread’s condition. You can walk around the truck to make sure all four tires match the brand and model. On a test drive, test how the brakes feel when you use them. Grinding or squeaking noises should be noted and addressed. 

#10 – Aftermarket Modifications or Upgrades

If any aftermarket modifications have been added, check the quality of the work to be sure they were installed by a professional. Modifications can affect performance and resale value, so it’s wise to note that they are premium parts and installed correctly. 

Shop Our Used Truck Inventory Today

We are here to guide you through our premium selection of pre-owned trucks. We can answer any questions that you may have and find you the perfect truck for all your driving needs. Considering these ten important things, you can be sure you’ll be choosing a pre-owned truck that will deliver smooth miles and handle the heavy towing you need to do for years to come. Save big and shop our used truck models today!