At one time or another, many businesses find themselves in need of a good used truck to add to the fleet. When choosing a pre-owned truck for your business, aftermarket exhaust systems are just an important factor that has to be considered, along with the cost and the value of the vehicle. In this article, we will go over the top ten factors you should consider when buying a used commercial truck.
10 Essential Factors When Purchasing Used Commercial Trucks:
Cost
Truck costs can include purchase price, fees, and taxes. Many companies desire fixed-cost purchasing plans, so the cost of the vehicle is known and budgeted for. Fixed cost purchasing plans typically include the purchase price, delivery fees, taxes, and extended warranties.
Durability
The durability of a used commercial truck will be determined by its age and mileage. It is essential to know how many miles were on the truck before being taken out of service. A truck with an average of about 200,000 miles on its odometer is considered to have good durability. The buyer must look into the history of any commercial trucks being considered for purchase.
Reliability
When purchasing used commercial trucks, it is essential to ensure they are reliable. The best way to determine the reliability of a used commercial truck is to check its maintenance records. It is necessary to verify that an authorized dealer has properly maintained the vehicle.
Warranty
Warranty coverage is one of the most overlooked factors when purchasing pre-owned trucks. Any company that buys new vehicles should have a “bumper to bumper” warranty. The warranty will cover all of the truck’s components part of the original manufacturer’s equipment list. It also includes the engine, transmission, drive axle, and suspension system.
Price
There is a big difference in purchasing used commercial trucks based on make and model in addition to mileage. A rule of thumb is that the older the truck, the less expensive it will be to purchase.
Capacity
All used commercial trucks have a capacity rating associated with them. The capacity rating tells you how much weight and cargo each truck can handle. When choosing an appropriate truck for your business, ensuring its capacity matches your needs is vital.
Service network
All of the commercial trucks for sale will have a service network associated with them. The service network is an important factor to consider because it tells you how many dealerships are available to provide you with parts and service information if needed. It also shows you which dealership supports models.
Towing capacity
The towing capacity of any used commercial truck is important. If you are purchasing the pre-owned trucks for a company that has large trailers or tow vehicles, then the truck must keep up with the trailer.
Operating costs
When purchasing used commercial trucks, operating costs are one of the most important factors to consider. The operating costs of a used commercial truck include things like fuel economy and repair and maintenance costs. It may be beneficial for you to investigate the average costs of similar trucks that were purchased in the past.
Insurance
Truck Insurance rates vary depending on many factors such as the age, make, model, and mileage of the truck. If a company is purchasing used commercial trucks, then it is important to investigate insurance costs for similar models in the past.
While these 10 factors make a major impact on your decision, always go the extra mile with your research. Whether buying used or new, you want the most value for your money while ensuring that you are getting a high-quality product. Need help looking over your fleet plans or purchasing the right vehicle? Let Efficiency handle the heavy lifting for you!