Top Pickup Truck Buying Advice
In 2015, automakers sold over 17.5 million new cars in the United States, with light-duty pickup trucks, SUVs, and crossovers accounting for more than half of those sales. New pickups are in high demand in 2016, with over 600,000 sold in the first quarter.
Simultaneously, there is a high demand for old trucks, both gas and diesel. Some analysts think that the used pickup truck market is three times larger than the new vehicle market. Those who cannot afford a new pickup or prefer to capitalize on depreciation are constantly on the lookout for a good bargain on a used pickup.
If you're looking for a used pickup truck, there are literally millions available across the country (conduct a search at Cars.com or here on PickupTrucks.com to see what's available). We estimate that most of us shop within 100 miles of our homes — if not less — thus the amount of used trucks available in your region will be significantly reduced. Nonetheless, you should be able to discover at least a dozen viable applicants in your area.
When looking for a secondhand truck, don't be fooled by the bells and whistles, excellent paint, or low pricing. Be wise and thorough in your decision-making, and be sure you view the truck in person.
We spoke with used-car dealers, wholesale vehicle buyers, auto repair technicians, and other dealership specialists to find out what they look for when buying a used truck. Then we added a few of our own pointers gleaned from firsthand experience. Here are some things to consider when purchasing a secondhand pickup truck, in no particular order:
Diesel trucks are significantly more expensive to maintain and repair than gas vehicles, so inspect them thoroughly before purchasing, especially if they have more than 60,000 miles. Examine the coolant overflow reservoir of a diesel truck for any evidence of gasoline or oil in the coolant or behind the coolant cover. Contaminated coolant is a definite symptom of oil cooler, exhaust gas recirculation cooler, or head gasket problems, all of which can be expensive to fix. Also, look for leaks around injectors, injector lines, or the turbocharger; if you find issues or past repairs, proceed with caution. Finally, if engine repair work has been performed, obtain information on when and who performed the job.
Is the drivetrain and smog system still covered under warranty? Check the mileage against the truck's drivetrain and the government emission guarantee, which can last up to eight years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first. This is especially important for higher-mileage diesel trucks (125,000 miles or more), when out-of-warranty engine, computer, and transmission repairs are more likely and more expensive. That's where a used truck from a dealer comes in handy, since some provide a limited warranty after their mechanics do a thorough examination and pre-sale servicing.
For extra power, some diesel owners are renowned for removing the diesel particulate filter, muffler, EGR cooler, and blocking or removing the EGR valve. These "deletes" do boost power, but removing them violates federal smog restrictions. Before a truck may be sold or licensed in several states/counties, some parts must be changed. Replacing missing exhaust/smog components can run into the hundreds of dollars. If the diesel vehicle you're interested in is lacking any of these items, make sure the seller includes the missing smog-related equipment in the purchase.
You should test drive the truck like you would any other vehicle. Accelerate quickly, use the brakes, and bring the engine and gearbox up to working temperatures. A 20-minute drive should be sufficient to expose any obvious powertrain, steering, and/or suspension concerns. Is the truck erratic? Is the steering wheel sloppy? Is it a powerful and straight brake? Are there any acceleration anomalies? Does the transmission move through the gears smoothly? Try shifting the automatic by hand. Do you observe exhaust smoke when you accelerate rapidly or when you let up of the gas and the vehicle settles down? Pay attention to your inner instincts.
Always check the dipstick on an automatic gearbox before purchasing a secondhand truck. The fluid should be reddish in color and odorless. If the fluid is brownish or smells like burned brake pads, the gearbox has internal problems. If it's a manual gearbox, short-shift into high gear and accelerate aggressively to inspect the clutch's condition. There should be no slippage or noise. Also, go to a speed where you can cruise in third, fourth, and fifth gears without using the throttle – listen for gear whining or driveshaft vibrations when the truck is in this "limbo" driving mode. Finally, while checking for driveline vibration, make sure you know what sort of tires you're driving on Truck.
When testing a 4x4 truck, be sure to use four-wheel drive. If you can, get off the ground. Drive it in both high and low gears. Look for any strange noises or grinding associated with the transfer case action. Check if the front hubs are locked or that the front tires are driving. Return to two-wheel drive and spin the rear tires to ensure that the limited-slip or locking differential (if fitted) is working properly. You are not abusing the truck; rather, you are ensuring that you get a 4x4 that operates properly.
Check below for evidence of fluid leaks after the test drive. Leaks under the engine might signal a significant problem with the front main seal, water pump, or a leaking gasket. Check for oil leaks in the transmission, transfer case (if four-wheel drive), and axle housings. Examine the backside of the wheels for traces of grease from faulty brake lines and axle bearings. The vendor may have pressure cleaned the vehicle before you saw it, but leaks of concern normally appear during the test drive when fluids and lubricants are at working temperatures.
A full logbook or service record, as well as invoices for completed maintenance, is one of the strongest signs that a secondhand truck is all the vendor promises. Regular oil and filter changes in accordance with the owner's handbook, receipts for any/all repairs done, and any other dated records might be a solid sign that the seller isn't trying to hide anything. It also suggests that the engine and transmission should last longer than a truck whose owner neglected basic maintenance for extended periods of time.
It's usually a good idea to run a background check on any secondhand automobile you're thinking about purchasing. Such services are available from Carfax.com and VincheckPro.com. Keep in mind that these services are only as good as the information they get. If a truck is in an accident and the owner or the business providing the repair work does not disclose it to an insurance company, the repair work will not appear. It's also a good idea to check the vehicle identification number on a later-model secondhand truck to determine if there are any outstanding recalls that need to be addressed. To learn more, go to safercar.gov.
Flooded vehicles might end up on the open market when they should have been discarded. If a truck was renovated because it was flooded, we recommend avoiding it. Be wary if there are bubbles beneath the paint, new carpet and seats, mildew or water stains on the seat belts, seats, or headliner, or if there is corrosion or dirt anywhere in the cab. Lift the carpet and search for evidence of rust in the cab or behind the hood after a thorough inspection. Examine the instrument panel for dampness. The most serious issue with flood-damaged pickups is that water submersion causes mechanical, electrical, and fuel components to die slowly and cancerously.
If a vehicle has a "salvage title," it has been restored after being declared a total loss for some reason. Inquire as to why it has such a title and what sort of work has been completed. Before making a decision, we recommend that you get it thoroughly inspected by a reputable technician. There's a chance the truck was flood-damaged, cleaned up, and sold on the used-car market hundreds of miles from where it started. If the title has a "flood" mark on it, know that there will be problems regardless of the price.