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There are many reasons to buy a truck. You might need it for work, or because you have a lot of equipment to carry around for your hobby. Perhaps you have a large family or lots of dogs, and a truck just makes more sense than a ‘normal’ car. Or it could simply be that you love the look of them and the way they drive. The problem with buying a truck is that it can be prohibitively expensive. Rather than settle for something you don’t really want, however, you might choose to consider buying used. You can find some excellent bargains this way, and as long as you look out for some specific things when checking the truck out, you shouldn’t run into any trouble. Here’s our guide on how to find the ideal used truck. 

Do Your Homework 

Buying a truck is a significant investment, and you can’t simply pick the first one you see online or in a dealership and pay for it before driving away. Or rather, you can do that, but it isn’t recommended. It’s imperative to do your homework first and research everything you need to know. 

Know What You Want 

Start with the truck itself. Do you have a specific model in mind? If not, it can be a difficult task finding the ideal used truck – there will just be too many to look at and look into. Narrow down your search by determining exactly what it is you are looking for. You don’t have to have a specific make and model in mind (unless you want to), but if you know the maximum amount of miles you will accept on the clock, for example, and what kind of transmission, and how many seats, and all of these critical things, you can make a good shortlist of trucks to check out. You also need to have a maximum budget in mind; it would be heartbreaking to find the truck you want, only to discover that you can’t afford it. 

Take A Drive 

At the very least, you’ll want to switch on the ignition and make sure the truck you’re considering starts up the first time, and that no strange bumps and rattles are coming from the engine. Ideally, however, you’ll want to take the vehicle for a drive. There is really no other way to determine whether you’re going to like driving the truck or to make sure there is enough room for you, and of course to check that everything such as lights, turn signals, safety belts, and even the radio all work to your satisfaction. 

When you are driving, make a note of how the brakes feel – are they slow to react, do they feel spongy and as though they could cause an accident you would need a truck accident lawyer for, or are they just as you would want them to be? What is the steering like? Heavy steering can be uncomfortable, especially after a long journey. Steering that is too light can feel unsafe, though, so you need something in between. 

A lot of this will be down to personal taste, and what one person would enjoy about the truck, another might find is why they definitely don’t want to buy it. This is why seeing the vehicle in person, and driving it if you can, is the best way to choose.