Buying a used semi-truck is the best option for many drivers. One reason is it can save you a lot of money, but making common mistakes can cost you a large portion of the money you are trying to save. Following these basic steps can save you an extensive amount of time and costs in repairs and replacements.
1. PLAN AHEAD
Buying a big rig is a big deal. If all goes well, you could be driving your used truck for several years. Before going to buy your used semi-truck, you should start saving up long before. Plan out your budget and know what you are willing to spend.
You also don’t want to spend all your money on a truck you’re dissatisfied with. You should keep in mind what you will be shipping. The weight and volume of your shipments will determine the truck specs you need. The distance of your routes will also be important in determining what engine you want. Some other things to keep in mind while shopping is the axles, horsepower, and capacity of the truck.
Last, research different brands and models to find the one that best suits you. You may find that you like the features of one brand’s trucks better than another. One model might have a larger sleeping cab, while another’s engine is known to be more durable. Additionally, reading other driver’s reviews will help you find the models that are the most durable and reliable.
2. FIND A TRUSTED SOURCE
Your three main options for buying used semi trucks are dealerships, private owners, and fleets. Each one of these options has its ups and downs and each one could potentially sell you a bad truck. A common strategy used in second-hand big rig sales are trucks that are made to look nice but hold horrors inside. (More on that in step 5.)
When possible, find someone you know personally who is selling their truck. This way you have a relationship with the seller and they will be more likely to be honest with you. Even still, they may not have the expert eye for trucks a dealer might have.
With most dealers, their ultimate goal is to earn your money. However, if you find a great salesman, they will help you find the truck that’s perfect for your needs. Your best option is to find reviews on the dealership and salespeople before doing business with them.
Fleets will often replace and sell their tucks. These trucks are sometimes still decent quality vehicles. They are also likely to have a good record of maintenance and repair. A good fleet will have had regular maintenance on their truck, however, they usually run the truck into the ground before selling it. It’s recommended to not buy fleet trucks with 400,000-600,000 miles, as you will lose too much money in repairs.
3. CHECK THE HISTORY
Most sources will have logs and a history of their trucks. If you go to buy a used semi-truck and there are no records, that is a major red flag. It’s important to check the maintenance records, accident history, and any major repairs. There is a lot of important information to gather from these.
It’s important to see if the truck had regular and detailed maintenance. Major repair logs will let you know if the truck is prone to breaking and what types of damage is more likely to occur. Accident and major repair history will show you if there are any recently replaced parts that you won’t have to replace yourself. This information will also help you know what to focus on in inspections.
4. ASK WHY
Along with checking the history, ask why they are selling the truck. This is most applicable for fleets and private owners. This can clue you in on any major repairs you should expect. A red flag, but not a deal-breaker, maybe that the truck was in a major accident. You should also be worried if they give you an indirect answer or change the topic.
You can also ask if they plan on replacing their trucks with the same brand or model. Why or why not? This will inform you if they were satisfied with their truck’s performance.
5. INSPECT IT
There is a long checklist of what to inspect on a used semi-truck before buying. Take a good amount of time to give the 
truck a thorough inspection. You’d be surprised by the many basic and major repairs that may not be obvious at first. Giving the truck a test drive is another effective method for finding issues.
It’s important to take the truck to a repair shop to have a professional inspect it. Some dealerships may suggest where to take the truck for inspection. Some of them will suggest repair shops that they know, which could give a more lenient or dishonest inspection.
In conclusion, these are the main paths you can use when buying a used truck, buying from a dealership, private owner, or a fleet. Each one has its pros and cons, and it’s important to research what the best choice is for you. However you plan on buying your truck, new or used, we would be happy to help finance it.