Buying used truck from large fleet?

Pick the wrong truck and $15,000 will be peanuts. I have a friend, he bought a pretty truck with low miles on it... His first 3 months he is at $20,000 in repairs. He has now figured out that he needs to learn how to be a mechanic and be able to diagnose his truck properly. I just saw he texted me, he is setting up Cummins Insite right now. These are not the trucks of the past, Grease, oil and general maintenance. Those days are long gone.

Here are some things to look for... And caveat emptor.



Good luck, and don't be a victim.

 

No not really. I’ve seen a lot of old Werner Trucks do good. Almost bought first Truck from them. The only thing I worry about is transmissions that have been trained on. I guess automatics wouldn’t matter. The theory is being governed the engines can’t be damaged. I prefer older Trucks from O/O that. has taken very good care . Driven right not abused.There are certain Lease operators who have high revenue. Usually Bed buggers or Trade show or Electronics/ Medical that Trade regularly usually for Tax depreciation reasons. I’ve seen guys Trade every year using accelerated depreciation ( I believe 50% of cost in 1st yr) to reduce their tax burden reasoning it’s gonna cost them one way or another might as well have a new Truck.But if you need a newer Truck and if the mileage is under 400 k and price is right. Fleet sales is a good way to go. My Father was a Trainer @ Werner for 10 yrs. They were always trying to sell him a truck.Never bought one. But he knew a guy named Scott used to run Fleet Sales. Scott offered me a great deal and gave me a wealth of info on fleet avg costs of operation.Hopefully they can give you a good deal. Remember they’re the ones selling be patient they might sweeten the deal to get your business. In retrospect I should have bought their deal it was a 1995 Condo W/ 350 k 1 yr old truck w/Detroit super 10 for $53k. Instead I bought 92 W/S W/ Cat w/500k for $40 k.But that’s what I wanted. Either way I believe you should buy the Truck you like so you’ll be satisfied for the years you’ll be in it

 

BUying from a large fleet with base model trucks, high mileage, and the possible drivers that drove the truck and abused it. The only part that is nice is that the maintenance up keep of company. As to buying from a retiring O/O. You state the concern is the maintenance up keep. The truck is their livelihood, and most are more than likely to do their P.M, and maintenance on the truck. Myself my fleet are all older 1995-2001 Peterbilt 379 ex hoods with 550-650 hp Caterpillar engines, and 18 speed trans. Every three months they receive an full PM, oil changes, greased, and so forth. Every three years i buy new engines and transmissions and swap out the old engines. So do not look into a truck being sold by an O/O . They may not do what i do, but they take pride in their trucks also

 

Ya I've seen this video before. Guess I have been lucky, because of the 7 trucks I have bought. None were new. When I bough a truck, I took it from dealer and kept for between an hour and half a day. I dont have or no anybody that i can take to. That will go over it in depth like that. Guess I could take to the closest engine dealer (Detroit, Cummins, etc) But in my experience its always, days if not a week before they can look at. I dont think dealer is gonna let me take the truck to check out on Monday, then bring back next monday. Suggestions??