Are you in the market for a new pickup truck but don’t want to go through a dealership? Your other options are to go through a private seller or an online auction. Both options are fine if you’re looking for a decent truck at a reasonable price.
Be prepared to do your homework because most of these purchases are as-is, meaning that you can’t return the vehicle if you don’t like it. Plus, you’ll be responsible for whatever problems it comes with. In exchange for this, you can save significant money, allowing you to finally get that pickup truck you’ve always wanted.
To ensure you’re making a smart purchase, here are the top questions to ask when buying a used pickup truck.
Are service and maintenance records available?
People aren’t exactly receptive to having their car repossessed, so many of these vehicles don’t have a lot of information on them. Nevertheless, it doesn’t hurt to ask for any records that may have been tucked away in a glove compartment. This way, you can see what work and maintenance has been done on the truck.
Keep in mind that repos are cars that have been taken away because the owner defaulted on their loan. If they weren’t paying their loan, chances are, they weren’t taking their car in for maintenance either. But repossessions move fast in some states, and it’s possible that the car was last serviced within the year.
Has the pickup truck been involved in any accidents?
Reported accidents show up on the vehicle’s history report. Smaller accidents, like a driver backing into a light pole on a cloudy day, generally do not. To find out if the truck has been in any serious accidents, you’ll have to rely on the vehicle history report. This report lists brief details from the accident so that you know what occurred.
What features don’t work?
Most repo listings include the known problems about the vehicle such as interior stains, ripped seats and broken radios. Some of these problems may not be a big deal. For example, if the CD player doesn’t work, you’ll just listen to the radio instead. However, having a broken air conditioner can make your car uncomfortable in the summer, forcing you to make this expensive repair on your own.
Can I have an inspection done?
Most repo sellers encourage buyers to do their research and perform inspections. Before signing anything, bring along someone who knows cars and have them look at your vehicle. They can look for red flags that may indicate that it’s not the best pickup truck for you. There are plenty of trucks on the market, so you should never have to settle.
Is this the best price?
When shopping for used pickup trucks on RepoFinder, you’ll find that some trucks have a price and others are accepting bids. If you haven’t shopped for repossessions before, we recommend brushing up on how to place effective bids. This will prevent you from overpaying but also ensure your bids are strong enough to win.
Also pay attention to where the pickup truck is from, as you’ll have to make arrangements to have it shipped to you if it’s out of state. For many people, it makes sense to stick to used trucks in their local area so they can inspect the vehicle and drive it home.
Find a Used Pickup Truck Today
RepoFinder has an extensive database of used pickup trucks. Our inventory is always changing, so check back often! By signing up for a RepoFinder Pro account (less than $5 a month), you can view more information about the vehicles and place a bid.