3 Tips for Buying a Pre-Owned Truck for Your Fleet
Whether you are an owner-operator or a senior manager in charge of procurement, getting new vehicles is always a struggle. Saving money doesn’t always mean cutting corners, though. Getting a pre-owned truck for your company fleet isn’t that much different than when you’re looking for one to use as a regular driver. But there are some tips you should be mindful of along the way.
Ask More Questions
You may have heard the expression that curiosity killed the cat. Well in this case, be curious can benefit you. Unlike the process of buying a used passenger car, you might not know the history behind the truck. How many times has it been sold in the past? What are some known technical problems that have remained even after multiple repairs? Did it use to belong to a competitor? All of these questions are some of the most important questions you can bring up while evaluating if the pre-owned truck is right for you. Ask more experienced trucking friends what advice they can give you, especially if you are still relatively new to the trucking life. You’ll increase your chances of finding a reputable dealer.
Consider Who is Selling
The next step is to take a long look at who is selling the truck. All freightliners have different maintenance needs, fuel requirements, and in some cases, different license qualifications. Doing your own homework will prove to be an invaluable part of the process. It’s one that you won’t regret later on if you decide to pass on one truck and end up getting another one that you are happier with, only to find that the one you had planned to buy was a junker waiting to happen. Find out the real reason why the truck is expendable and is ready to go to the highest bidder.
Look at the Truck
Finally, you will want to inspect the truck yourself. Bring some of your fellow drivers with you; their expertise and knowledge can help you diagnose problems that you might not notice or understand. If anyone has a mechanical background, then they might be able to fix any brake problems and prevent future breakdowns before they even become a problem.
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Need to repair your truck or bus? Contact Middleton & Meads today! Middleton & Meads provides quality truck and bus repair, service, and fleet management for the Baltimore, MD area. We have over 90 years of experience in the trucking industry and will provide you with customer service like you have never experienced before! If you are interested in seeing how we can help your business, give us a call at (410) 752-5588 or visit us online today! For more articles and trucking tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and LinkedIn.