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Tips for Buying a Used Commercial Vehicle

The following article is designed to help the prospective buyer of a used truck or cargo van to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by teaching them what to look for when evaluating a used vehicle sitting on a car lot.

Author: Wordsworth White
Date: Jun 11, 2011 - 9:50:35 PM

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There are a huge deal of used trucks for sale in the market today. If you are currently in need of a truck for your business or for personal use, there are many ways get a good used truck and save some money in the process.

Take a look at these ten tips that will help you search among used utility trucks, cargo vans, and other vehicles to land you a good deal on the vehicle of your choice.

1. Always check the oil. It is not so much about the oil levels as it is about the condition of the oil. This can speak volumes about the health and condition of the truck or cargo van you are about to buy. Usually, a well-maintained truck has its engine and transmission oil regularly analyzed to determine signs of possible metal traces and contamination. Make sure to ask for historical records from the previous owner.

2. Always check for rust. Do not underestimate this tip as some buyers do. Your investment may be rendered worthless if you neglect to thoroughly check for rust within the body of the truck. Check for both surface and structural rust.

3. Ask for the service records. These records will give you an idea about the exact worth of the truck or cargo van you are about to purchase. Make sure that the records you are viewing are actually legitimate and has the same VIN as the vehicle. Go through the repair work history to check whether there are regular breakdown patterns that could potentially post as a problem for you later on.

4. When you do a test drive, make sure to check the suspension. See if the suspension is still in good condition to make your investment for used cargo vans worthwhile.

5. Check every major part. Not all people are well-informed about every part of used trucks for sale, which is why bringing a friend who is a trained mechanic will certainly help in properly inspecting the whole vehicle. The most important parts are usually the brakes, steering, transmission, hydraulic lines and so much more. Make sure that these major parts are properly inspected and check if there are any parts that are due for replacement.

6. Make sure you have part suppliers that can give you the supplies you need in case there is a breakdown in one of the parts of your truck.

7. You must also check your budget and if you have other means for financing the purchase of this used vehicle. Also look for companies that give financing for used trucks and used cargo vans.

8. Make sure that you can still get insurance for this truck and if the cost can still make this truck a profitable business opportunity.

9. If it's possible, talk to the owner and ask their reason for selling the truck. Try to watch out for non-verbal cues that might be a sign that something is wrong with the used truck for sale.

10. If you don't have much time or experience to search for used trucks or cargo vans, employ the services of a broker. These are people that have the experience of looking for the truck or the van that will suit your needs perfectly.

Fred Zappa is the author of this article about how to land a good deal when purchasing used cargo vans and other types of used trucks for sale.

View all articles by Wordsworth White

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