What Should I Pay Attention to When Buying a Used Truck?

When buying a used truck for sale, there are always points of interest. For example, how do you choose the right make and model? And more importantly, how do you know you won’t make a bad buy? In this article, we explain what to look out for when buying a used truck.

Choose the right used truck

Whether you are a driver, transporter, entrepreneur, fleet manager or trader – it is important to know the requirements your truck must meet. Therefore, think carefully beforehand about what you will be using the truck for. Is it for long-distance transport, construction transport or inner-city distribution? Each application has its own characteristics.

Select the correct axle configuration

A good example of this is the axle configuration. For heavy duty work, construction activities and heavily loaded trucks, more axles are often chosen, such as a tractor with a 6×4 or 8×4 axle configuration, while 4×2 is often chosen for distribution.

The most common axle configurations are: 4×2, 6×2, 4×2 Mega, 6×4, 4×4, 8×4 and 8×2. The more axles a truck has, the better the weight is distributed over the truck. The axle configuration of a truck determines how much weight one can transport behind the tractor unit, and how much weight is allowed. So, think carefully about the desired load capacity.

Pay attention to the year of manufacture

There are increasingly more emission zones in Europe, which means that you are no longer allowed to drive everywhere with trucks that are too old. Therefore, always check first what the year of manufacture is and which Euro standard the second-hand truck has. The Euro standard shows how clean the engine is. Since 2014,

Euro 6 is the cleanest label on the market. In Europe, you are no longer allowed to register new vehicles with Euro 5 or lower. However, old vehicles that are already registered are still allowed to drive around Europe. It may only be that you are not allowed to enter certain emission zones. These strict Euro standard guidelines are specifically applicable in Europe. Different rules apply in other continents. For example, in Africa, you can still make and sell a Euro 3 tractor.

Are parts easy to obtain?

Trucks have a long lifespan and generally cover many kilometres. This also means that parts will need to be replaced over time or that something may break down. Therefore, choose a brand for which you can easily obtain new parts in your area. Is there a local dealer nearby? It is important to minimize downtime as much as possible because the longer the truck is stationary, the more money it will cost you. Therefore, always check carefully what the mileage is of the used truck.

Inquire about the maintenance history

A used tractor unit or truck often has already covered a considerable number of kilometres. This makes it financially attractive, but also brings a slightly higher risk of unexpected costs than when buying a brand new truck. Therefore, always check the history of the used truck. Have there been many recurring problems? You can see exactly how the truck has been maintained over the years. For a truck that is driven a lot, it is important that it is well maintained. Has the truck always had its scheduled maintenance?

What is the condition of the vehicle?

Depending on the type of transport for which you use the truck, you choose a matching cabin. For international transport, a high-comfort sleeper cab is often chosen. In addition, a distinction is made between a forward control cab (the cab is located in front of or above the front axle) and a bonneted cab (the cab is located behind the engine so that the engine can be reached from outside).

Also, take a close look at the condition of the interior. And is the cabin equipped with all the requirements you have in mind? Always inquire about the status of the tires as well. How many kilometres have they traveled and how is the wear and tear?

What functions and accessories are important?

A truck often comes equipped with various functions and accessories that can come in handy depending on how you plan to use it. For example, a PTO (Power Take-off) can be used to power a dump truck or start an air compressor. Retarders and intarders can support the braking system. Which transmission do you choose: automatic, manual or semi-automatic?

Other options include: standairco air conditioning, adaptive cruise control, blind spot camera, lane departure assistance, or forward collision warnings. Always ask which options are included on the used truck. The seller or dealer can provide you with more information about these features.

What is the origin of the truck?

Ideally, when buying a used truck, you want to know if the previous owner is reliable and has always been careful with the vehicle. Is the truck being sold by a dealer or a trader? Always try to assess if the seller is trustworthy. Has the seller driven the truck themselves or did they buy it from someone else? It is recommended to find out if the truck has remained free of damage and accidents over the years.

How do you know if the seller and used trucks are reliable?

Trust is an important starting point for successful transactions. In practice, it can be difficult to assess whether a seller is reliable and that you are not buying a lemon. At BAS World, all used trucks are extensively inspected, renovated if necessary, and extensively documented. On basworld.com, you will find 25 HD photos and videos for each vehicle, as well as a very complete specification list. This provides a buyer with an excellent, honest online picture. The vehicles can also be viewed in person at our location in Veghel.

With over 60 years of experience in the automotive industry, the BAS World team knows everything about used trucks, tractors, and trailers. Our experts will of course advise you extensively on every truck in stock. Take your time and don’t make hasty decisions. Weigh the feeling you have about the vehicle against all requirements and specifications. And who knows, you may soon have a new or used truck at your disposal. Go to our website and check out Europe’s largest stock.