Points to consider while buying a truck

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Buying a used truck can be an important investment not to be taken lightly. To avoid unpleasant surprises, make sure you choose the model that fits your needs to your requirements. Then, it will be necessary to carry out some checks before the purchase to shelter from scams or possible complications. We give you the keys to buy a used truck serenely. Click here for lease return trucks.

Examine the truck for condition

First and foremost, make sure that the used truck is unassisted, or at least does not require a counter-visit that could cost you extra costs. If the technical control is valid, there are still some checks to make yourself to be sure not to encounter problems later:

Hydraulics

Check the steering box for oil leaks.

Suspensions: Check that the air bottles are CE approved (durable for 15 years) and the date of manufacture. Also check for corrosion on the straps that hold the bottles. Visit this site for lease return trucks.

Tires: Truck tires can be re-cut three times to check for wear.

Chassis

Check for corrosion.

Cylinder head gasket: Start the vehicle and let the engine run for 5 to 10 minutes for the calorstat to open and the fan to start.

Take a test drive

Once the first checks are done, there are a few steps left to make sure the vehicle you are looking for is in good shape. The best way is to drive or ride with the current owner to test the truck on the road.

Clutch

Inspect for any clacking or difficulty when clutching or disengaging. Also test the clutch disc at a standstill by passing the third gear and releasing the clutch (if the truck stalls, the disc is in good condition).

Braking

4 or 5 notches are sufficient when the parking brake is applied. Also check the road truck brakes by pounding and checking its path.

Steering

When releasing the steering wheel, it must not vibrate and the truck must not deviate from its trajectory.

The parts to be provided by the seller

If you’ve gone through all the previous steps without a hitch, the truck you’re looking for is in good shape. There is only one last step before becoming the proud owner. Indeed, the seller must provide certain documents:

The gray card

The seller must cross it with two lines diagonally, write the words “sold on … date and time” and sign it.

The sale / transfer certificate

This document, drawn up in two copies for each of the two parties, indicates the change of ownership.

The certificate of non-pledge

This certificate proves that the vehicle is not subject to registration of a pledge or opposition.

The technical inspection report

As previously mentioned, the technical inspection report informs you about the condition of the vehicle.

The maintenance booklet

It allows to trace the history of all interventions made on the vehicle.