Buying A Second Hand Pickup Truck

Are you looking for a new pickup truck? If you cannot afford a new one, your best bet would be to buy a second hand vehicle.
The problem most people face is that they do not know what they are looking for in a secondhand pickup truck and end up purchasing one on the basis the seller cut them a good deal or the vehicle appears to be in good order. Instead of taking someone’s word, why not arm yourself with the know how to spot a good vehicle from a bad one.

Here are six things that you need to look for in a second hand pickup truck.
Number One – Check Underneath The Vehicle
The first thing you need to look for in a vehicle is the underneath of it, is there any leaks. When checking under the car ensure that the vehicle is parked in a dry parking bay, this will help you pick up oil spills, radiator leaks or other problems noticeable problems with the truck.
Number Two – The Bodywork
Once you have checked the underneath of the vehicle, you need to then start to look at the paint work. Are there any bumps, scratches, rust marks or no matching panels on the vehicle? This will give you a good indication if the car is well looked after. Remember, a car that has different shaded panel has most likely been in an accident and the panel has been replaced. Remember to check the canopy for wear and tear.
Number Three – The Interior
Once you have completed your outside inspection, it is time to have a look at the inside of the vehicle. The items you need to look out for are: the seats, seatbelts, carpeting, roof, dash board, back board, controls, cubbyhole, handles and window leavers.
Number Four – The Service History
The vehicle needs to hand a booklet with all the services marked off. This will ensure that the car has not missed a service and that all problems with the car are tracked. If you are unsure on the legitimacy of the service book, contact the service garage and ask to see the records.
Number Five – Check The Electronics
The next step is to look at the electronics of the vehicle. Do the lights work properly, are the window wipers working and is are all other electrical components in good working order?
Number Six – Take A Drive
Once the car has passed the first five ‘tests’, it is time to take the final test, go for a drive. Do not simply drive it around the block, ensure that you take the car on an open road, up a hill and stop regularly. This way you are able to test the gears, the clutch, the brakes and the feel of the vehicle.
Once the vehicle has passed all the tests, it is time to contact a local vehicle sales agency; there they will be able to tell you the book value of the vehicle. If you are then happy that all of your questions have been answered, then you can make an offer on the car.
In conclusion, ensure that you follow these steps and do not skip one. Remember, if you are unhappy for any reason, you do not need to make an offer and you are well within your rights to walk away from the meeting without any obligation to purchase the vehicle.
I am Greg Jones and I love pickup trucks. I recently found a canopy for sale website that stocked the larger ranger canopies, that allows me to fit more in the back on our 4X4 weekend trips. Now we have enough space to fit all the camping stuff and all my children’s favourite toys.