There are many things to consider before buying any type of car, new or used. From vehicle registration to fitness, there is nothing to look out for. And if it is an old truck, then there is no end to the dilemma. Is the old truck good? Is it possible to buy this truck within your budget? Is the truck engine OK?
Hundreds of other questions swirled around, which is certainly reasonable. This article is to put an end to all your questions. Let's know the things that should be known before buying a used truck.
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How much old truck is better to buy?
When buying an old truck, the first thing to think about is how old a truck should be bought? In general, it is better to buy a car that is five years old or younger, as such cars have lower maintenance costs and are more likely to be in good condition. Care should be taken when buying a truck older than ten years and decisions should be made based on the current condition of the truck. When buying a used truck it is important to consider its age and mileage. A truck's odometer lets you know how far the vehicle has traveled. Generally, the mileage of a five-year-old car can average 60,000 to 75,000 km. A ten-year-old car's mileage can typically range from 120,000 to 150,000 km. By keeping these things in mind while buying a used truck, you can buy a good quality used truck that is reliable for the future.
Truck buying rules to keep in mind-
Create a checklist
Whenever you decide to buy a used truck, make a checklist first. This way you can easily buy the best quality truck for your business.- What type of truck are you looking to buy?
- Set your budget.
- Find out the truck's previous record and current condition.
- If you need to take any bank loan or insurance facility, outline it.
- Make a note in advance of what questions you will ask the dealer.
Check the documents of the truck
Every truck needs some legal documents to ply on the road. For example: Registration Certificate, Fitness Certificate, Tax Token, Motor Insurance Certificate, Route Permit and Driving License. The documents mentioned here have fixed validity. So it is very important to check that all the documents of the old truck are up-to-date and valid. If not valid, contact local BRTC office. You will get the tax token after depositing money with the bank. Contact the rest of the motor insurance companies to collect the motor insurance. When buying an old or new truck, the first thing to do is to verify or update the truck's documents. Because without these papers you cannot take the car on the road. According to the Bangladesh Road Safety Act 2018, a fine of Tk 50,000 and a jail term of not less than six months has been imposed for any impounded vehicle without registration. So check the validity of all documents carefully while buying a used truck.
Check old records
The rule of thumb for buying a used truck is to buy the truck you want first; Check all his previous records. Get all the truck's maintenance records, oil change records and even how many times the truck has been in an accident with your dealer. You may also question why the truck is being sold. If any previous records are tried to be hidden, then it is easy to understand that the dealer is hiding something from you. It is also understood that the truck was not properly maintained. Also check the various safety parts of the truck like steering, brakes and lights.
Check the overall condition of the truck
Since you are buying a used truck for money, it is reasonable to have the truck inspected. First, check the exterior of the truck. Check paint, body, tires. Check for any scratches, dents or rust. Do not forget to look at the interior of the car. Check the seats, dashboard and electronics. Check for any odors inside, sometimes different smells indicate different things. Check engine condition, brakes, gear box. Also keep an eye out for any unusual noises coming from the engine.
Check the capacity of the truck
Each truck type has a specific load limit. Carrying more weight than this limit increases the chance of damage to the truck. Many times, hirers or shippers request truck owners to carry more than the maximum load, and some owners take such risky trips for a little more fare, which is not good for the truck.
Carrying this extra weight can cause rapid tire wear, reduced engine power, and weakened chassis. Also, many bridges cannot be crossed with extra weight. For example, the maximum weight of a truck cannot exceed 22 tonnes to cross the Meghna Bridge.
Check the truck engine
When buying a used truck it is very important to check the condition of the engine. Major engine repairs are often expensive, so there is potential for damage at every step if the engine is not performing properly. In the case of old engines, the efficiency of engine oil tends to decrease. As the engine ages, the effectiveness of the lubricant decreases, so the time for changing the oil comes quickly. For example, a truck can run 10,000 km after a new engine is replaced, but an old engine needs to be replaced after 7,000 km. Sometimes the smoke emitted from the truck engine also indicates the performance of the truck engine. Black smoke and loud engine sounds indicate internal engine problems. So check these few things while buying used truck, get it checked by an experienced mechanic if necessary.
Verifying the correct market value
When buying a used truck it is very important to check its fair market value so that you can buy at a fair price. Collect the current price data of the truck by looking at various online platforms like auto dealers websites, secondhand car websites (like OLX, Cardeco, and Cartrade). Some websites have car pricing tools that give you an idea of the truck's current market value. Contact local truck dealers or secondhand car dealers and gather information about market prices from them. Check the truck's previous repair and maintenance records, which will help determine the value of your old truck. Find out the depreciation rate of old trucks. Generally, the price decreases based on the truck's age and mileage. By checking like this you will be able to determine the correct market value to a large extent.
Test the emergency brake
It is very important to check the truck's emergency brake for safety reasons. Take a test drive to an empty field where braking can be done safely. Test the vehicle by increasing the speed slightly and pressing the emergency brake. Checking the hand brake is also very important. It is best to check this especially on slopes or narrow roads, as this is where the effectiveness of the hand brake can be better understood. Keep an eye on the braking distance and make sure that the car stops quickly.
Be aware of legal issues
There are several legal aspects to consider while buying a used truck. Because the truck was owned by someone else. Before buying a used truck, make sure that the vehicle's registration is correct and valid. Verify the vehicle owner's name, registration date, and registration number. It is important to ensure that the truck is purchased with a loan and that it is paid on time. Try to find out about the car's history, such as: whether the car has been involved in any accidents, how many previous owners it has had, etc. This will help in understanding the future maintenance costs and potential problems of the vehicle. Get the truck ownership properly transferred to your name. To do this, contact the local traffic office or the concerned department. A full truck inspection should be done by a professional mechanic before buying a truck. By this you will get a clear idea about the mechanical and structural condition of the truck.
Last word
We hope that by reading this article, you have understood a lot about the rules of buying your old truck. This article is to inform you that some things must be kept in mind. Just like buying any other important item, you need to be careful when buying a used truck. If you deal a little smartly, you can easily win a used truck.
General inquiries
Question 1: How is the old truck steering tested?
Answer: If any kind of vibration is felt in the steering while the vehicle is being driven, it may indicate a problem with the truck's steering system. If the vibration is ongoing, understand that it could be a fault in the suspension or steering system.
Question 2: How do I know if the old truck has frame damage?
Answer: Inspect the underside of the truck thoroughly. Check for any rust, cracks, or dents. If you see any abnormalities in the straight line of the frame, it could be a sign of damage. If white fumes are emitted while driving, this could be a sign of engine trouble or frame damage. If white vapor is seen except in winter, it is unusual.
Question 2: How do I know if the old truck has frame damage?
Answer: Inspect the underside of the truck thoroughly. Check for any rust, cracks, or dents. If you see any abnormalities in the straight line of the frame, it could be a sign of damage. If white fumes are emitted while driving, this could be a sign of engine trouble or frame damage. If white vapor is seen except in winter, it is unusual.
