Are you looking to buy a commercial truck? If so, you may be wondering how to go about it.
Whether you’re shopping for a truck for your own business or to join up with another one, you’ll want to make sure you make the right choice. Luckily, buying a commercial truck doesn’t have to be complicated.
There are many types of commercial trucks to choose from, and there are a handful of things you’ll need to keep in mind. Once you’ve got it down, shopping is a piece of cake.
Ready to get started? Here are some things you should look for when buying a commercial truck.
The Right Type of Truck
First thing’s first, you can’t shop for a commercial truck if you don’t know what type you want. Commercial trucks come in all types and sizes, so you need to know which type you want to buy.
Here are just a few of the commercial trucks you can buy:
- belly dumper
- cement mixer
- hook lift dump truck
- box truck
- step van
- passenger van
- pickup truck
- semi truck
The type of job you’ll be doing will help you determine which type of truck you need. For example, you’ll need a very different vehicle for hauling garbage than for hauling people. If you’re the one deciding which type of truck to use, compare the options available to find out which types meet your needs.
A Clean History
If you’re buying used, the ideal would be a truck that has a clean history. Just because a truck has been in an accident, that doesn’t mean you should automatically cross it off your list, but it’s better to find one that hasn’t been seriously damaged before.
Run checks using the truck’s VIN number to find out if the truck has been in any accidents in the past. If it has, get the details on what damage occurred.
A Clean Bill of Health
Before purchasing a commercial truck you want to be sure it’s running perfectly–or close to perfect, at least. Once you’ve decided on a truck you’d like to purchase, have a mechanic check it over.
A truck may look fine but have hidden issues, so it’s always a good idea to have a professional check for any problems. Filters, breaks, lights, engine components, seat and mirror mechanisms–all of it should be tested.
Don’t forget to have your mechanic check out the truck’s safety features. If these aren’t in tip-top shape, don’t buy the truck.
The Features You Need
The features of a truck are just about as important as the truck itself. Consider ahead of time what features you really want or need in your truck.
Do you need a crane? How about a dumpster? How do you want the dumpster to dump?
There are all sorts of features you’ll need to consider. Cargo area size, trailer type, fuel type, ease of access to parts that need to be fixed regularly–these should all be taken into consideration.
An Absence of Rust
If you see rust on the outside of the truck, you may want to move onto another option. If the vehicle is rusted, it probably hasn’t been taken care of very well. Unless you have a good reason not to, move on to something that’s been maintained better.
Service Papers
A vehicle that’s been serviced regularly is going to perform better than one that hasn’t. So before you purchase your desired truck, ask for service papers. If the current owner hasn’t kept track or hasn’t regularly serviced the vehicle, you may want to look elsewhere.
A non-existent paper trail isn’t the end of the road, though. If your mechanic gives you the go-ahead, purchase the vehicle and start keeping records of your own.
A Trustworthy Dealer
Whether you’re purchasing new or used, find a dealer you can trust. If you don’t know where to find a dealer, this website will help with that. Once you’ve located a dealer, check reviews and make sure they have a good reputation.
You can always go with someone you know and trust, too. If any of your friends or family members use or own commercial trucks, reach out to see if they have any for sale.
A Fair Deal
There will always be people who ask way too much for the vehicle they’re selling. So be on the lookout for a deal that’s actually fair.
In order to do this, you’ll need to know what each truck is worth. When you find some you’re interested in, search online to find out what the fair asking price is. If the vehicle is overpriced, try to talk the seller down or move on to another vehicle.
If you’re interested in a truck that’s overpriced, be upfront with the seller. Offer an appropriate amount and back up your offer by showing the numbers you found, if necessary. If the seller won’t budge, you always have other options.
Buying a Commercial Truck: Get on it Today!
Buying a commercial truck shouldn’t be hard. In fact, it can even be exciting or fun, especially if you’re buying one to start your own business.
All it takes is a little know-how. Start by figuring out what type of truck you need, then go from there.
Once you’ve found a good fit and you’ve verified that it’s in good shape and selling for a decent price, jump on it! You’ll be hitting the road in no time.
If you’re a business owner, you need great employees as well as great vehicles. Click here to learn how to attract top talent to your company.