What You Need To Know When Choosing A Second-Hand Pick-Up Truck

While pick-up trucks have a long history as a commercial vehicle used across a wide range of industries, it is growing increasingly popular among other customers too, including commuters and families. Pick-up trucks offer a winning combination of safety and reliability, alongside versatility and great looks. They are a trustworthy companion for busy tradespeople, as well as the ideal vehicle for road trips and outdoor adventures.

Another great advantage to pick-up trucks is their availability on the second-hand market. As newer models become available for resale with their enhanced safety features and technological advancements, used pick-up trucks offer even more benefits to buyers seeking a reliable used vehicle for work or domestic life. However, as with any purchase of this kind, taking steps to plan what is needed, as well as to check the quality of what is available are both key areas to prioritise. Here are some areas to consider when looking at your next used pick-up truck.

Work out what you really need

It can be overwhelming trying to choose a new truck when you haven’t narrowed down your search parameters. In particular, it can be all too easy to buy ‘too much truck’ and opt for a vehicle that is bigger than you need it to be. Draw up a list of essentials in advance of going to see any trucks, or starting to search online. Decide on the priorities for these and stick to them when looking at what there is for sale. Think about what you will be using the truck for and whether the vehicles you are looking at truly fit the bill. For example, do you need a lot of seating capacity for transporting lots of people? Secure storage space for valuable tools? Extended horsepower to help with towing heavy objects?

Check out the paperwork

Never buy a second-hand truck without seeing its paperwork first. This includes the vehicle’s logbook, MOT details, service history and proof of ownership. Make sure that you are as sure as possible that the truck’s mileage records and state of wear and tear match up with what the mileometer says. Check the registration number too with the DVLA to make sure that there is no criminal activity associated with the vehicle. Look especially carefully for any evidence that the truck has been in an accident, as you will need to check the quality of its repairs very carefully if so.

Factor in any repair costs

If a pick-up truck is sold at a lower price because it needs to have some work done on it, this may not necessarily be the bargain you first thought. Make sure you factor in the cost of getting the repairs done before agreeing to pay the asking price. It could be a better deal to buy a more expensive used pick-up for sale that doesn’t require much, or any fixing up. The same goes for any upgrades you are planning to make to the truck once it is yours. Always consider the overall amount of money you will need to pay to get the truck looking and performing exactly as you want it to.

Insist on a test drive

Test driving used pick-up trucks is a vital part of the purchasing process. You cannot make a comprehensive decision on a vehicle without knowing how it performs on the road. Pay attention to how it handles, what the steering is like, how responsive the brakes are and what noise the engine makes. Check that the lights, turning signals and electronics all work correctly. If possible, drive it on different types of roads and at different speeds to see how well it handles in varying situations. Don’t just consider the technical aspect of the drive too – focus on the experience too, and how it makes you feel.

Attention to detail

Whether you leave this aspect to an expert to investigate for you or take control of it yourself, always check the smaller details when thinking about buying a used pick-up truck. These are no less important than the overall checks and the test drive. For example, look underneath the vehicle for signs of rust, leaks or damage. Check on the state of the engine oil – its colour, consistency and amount. Do the same for the brake fluid, coolant, windscreen washer and transmission fluid. Look all around the interior for any signs of torn leather or textiles, faulty seat belts and loose or broken parts.