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There’s a truckload of advantages to going secondhand when it comes to your truck.

For one, they are definitely cheaper than getting them brand new, and they are actually sturdier than Sedans or smaller vehicles, often still with a good few years on them if well cared for.

Of course, as a pre-owned automobile, used trucks will also lug with them their fair share of problems, but finding a diamond in the rough isn’t as hard as it seems if you have a keen eye to spot the following telltale signs as to whether or not your secondhand truck is a treasure worth keeping.

Car Body

Inspect a used truck for rusting first. While rust is inevitable and can be only just a cosmetic issue, rust in certain parts of a vehicle could be a sign of serious damage, as in rust in the floor pans, frame rails, wheels, muffler, and exhaust pipes. Check also if some parts of the body appear disproportionately new to the rest, as it could have been replaced recently following major damage.

Also, keep an eye out for misalignments on fenders and doors. Dents and scratches may also be a deal-breaker for you, so bring a magnet to inspect which parts of the car have been patched up with body filler. Be sure to also open and close the door, hood, and trunk to test the hinges.

Engine

When inspecting the engine, check when it’s cool. A red flag to watch out for is oil splattered on the ground under the hood, and immediately check for signs of corrosion on the battery, or if any wires are hanging loose. Hoses and belts should be examined, too. The rubber hose should still retain its elasticity to be pass muster, while the belts should not feel frayed.

The radiator should be inspected for the coolant, which needs to be green or orange. Take note of stains outside the radiator, as this could mean leaks. The battery likewise needs a thorough look-over, starting with the built-in indicator (if available), which, while not completely accurate, can still give you an idea about the status of things. A green indicator can mean the battery is in good enough condition, while a yellow or black sign means it’s dead or dying. To ascertain how much the battery has left, it’s better to have a mechanic perform a “load test”.

Brake System

One thing that should definitely be non-negotiable in a used truck is a fully functional brake system. To begin, visually check the status of the break. The rubber of the brake pads should show signs of use proportional to the age and mileage of the car, meaning a car that hasn’t traveled too much shouldn’t have brake pads that are too worn out.

If you can take the car for a test drive, pay attention to how the brake pedal feels. It should still be firm enough; sponginess in the pedal can be a sign of a leak in the brake lines, which could spell serious trouble for you later on. Also take note of pedals that feel bumpy, as you could be having problematic brake rotors.

Odometer

The general rule of thumb when buying automobiles is the lower the mileage, ideally, the better. This means that you still have quite a distance to travel on your used truck. A good range for secondhand trucks would be below 100,000 miles for gas engines, and below 200,000 miles for diesel engines. If the mileage tallies higher numbers, check it against the condition of the truck.

The important thing about checking the odometer is to see if the numbers add up to the overall status of the truck. A vehicle with relatively low mileage suggests that it hasn’t been out on the road often enough, but if the truck looks a little worse for wear, this could mean that it had been involved in an accident, and some parts may not be in good working order.

Service Records

If you are serious about a particular unit and want to make sure its history is clean, order a complete report on your car’s paper trail. Obvious instances like accidents or repairs will immediately pop up, but other potentially deal-breaking issues may require more digging.

A vehicle, for instance, that has changed so many hands in such little time is not something you want on your hands. Something could be wrong with the unit, and history can repeat itself under your ownership. Passing emissions testing and being up-to-date on all necessary maintenance work is another thing you want your secondhand truck to do, especially if you’ll be driving in the city where safety regulations have gotten stricter, and failure to comply can get you in trouble.

Glass

Inspect the vehicle for cracks. Small enough cracks can be negligible, but big damages should definitely alarm you. Windshields get the most damage, and a few crack types to watch out for are the stress crack or damage that occurs not as a result of an external force hitting the glass, but because of more alarming, internal factors like overheating from the sun and the vehicle suddenly being exposed to very cool temperatures. Cracks as a result of impact are also more susceptible to worsen over time, so any damage to the glass should be properly noted in your inspection. At the very least, chips to the glass can help you score a discount for when you do decide to go with the truck.

Suspension

To check if the truck’s suspension is functioning as it should, visually check if the vehicle is on a standing level, and bounce the corners. Shock absorbers that work fine should prevent the truck from bouncing too much and should, ideally, make it rebound just once. When you tug on the front of each tire, you shouldn’t hear anything from the wheel, and a clunking, squeaking or groaning sound is indicative that the suspension system is problematic.

Lights and Lenses

Check if all your lights and lenses are fully functional by having another person inspect it when you turn it on. Confirm as well if the lenses and reflectors are not cracked, fogged, missing, or otherwise broken. In the event that they are, evaluate the damage to see if a quick and cheap patch job should do the trick, or if it might require an expensive repair that isn’t worth the price.

Tires

And finally, don’t neglect the tires. The tires can give you invaluable information about where a vehicle has been, and where it can still take you. The first thing to look for is the wear and tear on a tire, especially in regards to its mileage. Cars with low mileage should not have beaten tires; and those tallying 20,000 miles should still have its original tires, almost in mint condition. Red flags would be if the odometer rings a low number, but the tires look much older; this could mean the meter was tampered with and rolled back.

The tires also show the kind of drivers that had handled the car and can alert you to other potential problems. For instance, aggressive drivers would have worn down the front wheels, which could compromise its quality. Tires generally overinflated will have a more battered middle part, while underinflated tires will have more sustained more damage on the sides. The point is that if the tires are showing damage, ergo, a reflection of bad driving, there might be other issues with the vehicle as well.

It always helps to have another set of eyes inspecting the vehicle with you, and it would be more beneficial for you if that second pair of eyes happens to be a professional mechanic, who would know what to look for and better gauge the number of repairs that might still be needed. After all, even secondhand trucks are still an investment, so you definitely want to get your money’s worth.

In conclusion, when buying used trucks, don’t rush. Know your price range, but don’t compromise your safety. Check if the seller has maintenance records available; good, conscientious owners will have all their paperwork organized, and you can rest more easily knowing the vehicle was in good hands.

And if you’re looking for a used truck in Arizona, we at Canyon State Trucks have got you covered. We’re your trusted dealers in Phoenix, getting you some of the best pre-owned SUVs and trucks in town. With three decades of business under our belt, you can definitely count on the quality of our services. We offer a healthy selection of good quality used trucks, all for fair prices. We are a family business personally committed to giving our customers exactly what they need. Give us a call today and we can get the ball rolling on your latest ride.