If you’re considering buying used trucks, you need to shop around armed with good advice and knowing not to rush into a sale. Before you start looking, know what your price range is and stick to it and also ensure that the seller of the trucks has the maintenance records for you.

Here’s what else you should know before you purchase a new truck or climb in a cab and drive off.

Points To Check Before Buying Trucks

• Check out the truck thoroughly during daylight. Even prime, well-lit sales lots will attempt to conceal defects or hamper a thorough inspection. Make sure you are on level ground, too, so you can properly check the fluids.
• Inspect all body-panel joints as well as openings for their fit. Try running your hand along the bottom of every door to see if you find hard, rusty corners. Don’t forget to inspect the panels all along the body – if they look a bit uneven, use a magnet to check them since plastic body repairs will repel the magnet.
• If you notice raised spots on the roof, you can be sure there is rust underneath the cab.
• Check the inside of every tire for any signs of leakage and tread wear.
• When looking at used truck sales, lift the hood, take the radiator cap off and check out the coolant fluid. It should be greenish. In the US and other countries, radiator fluid is red. If the colour’s off, or the fluid shows signs of rust, the engine probably overheats. Also examine the air filter and the surface of the engine. If you notice oil or grease on the engine in large amounts, the truck probably hasn’t been well looked after.
• Next, start the truck’s engine. There shouldn’t be any thuds or knocks which would indicate a dodgy crankshaft or even connecting-rod bearing. These are expensive parts to repair. Trucks should also have a high idle setting – if the idle doesn’t seem quite right, get a mechanic to check out the equipment.
• Give all the switches and extra parts like air-conditioning and lights a once-over.
• Now shut the engine off and check for rust. A little light rust is normal, but look out for severe corrosion. Also take a look at the wiring crossing the rear – it should not have been cut and taped for trailer wiring.
• Now it’s time to take the truck out for a drive. Travel for about 10 miles and then shut the engine off, leaving it to cool for a moment. Start it up again and if the engine stutters a little, have the engine looked at by a mechanic. Once you’ve started it, slowly accelerate to ensure the transmission up shifts nicely.
• Once you get to a safe place to stop, try a panic stop to make sure the brakes are in top condition. Also try a rough road to make sure the shocks control after bouncing.
• Finally, tampering with odometers is a common way to deceive buyers. Gauges in newer models of used trucks are more difficult to tamper with, but you still need to be wary. Check out things like excessive wear on brake pedals, upholstery, and armrests. Watch out also for a number of pits on the windshields.

Now that you know what to check, use your knowledge to get the best used truck for sale in your area.