How to Buy a High Mileage Diesel Light Truck

Buying a used vehicle is always a risk, and buying a high-mileage vehicle presents even more pitfalls than normal. Diesel light trucks can age well, though, and some careful evaluation of the vehicle can result in a great truck at a bargain price.

Instructions

1

Contact the seller. Once you have located a desireable used diesel light truck, contact the seller by phone or email to get some basic information. Ask about the vehicle's overall condition, mileage, any accident history and how the truck was used (highway trucks with high mileage may be in significantly better mechanical condition than trucks used for local deliveries). Determine the seller's flexibility on price by asking questions such as, "What is the least you will take for it?" or "Is that price negotiable?" Finally, arrange a time with the seller to view, inspect and test drive the truck.

2

Visually inspect the truck's exterior. When you meet with the seller to inspect the used diesel light truck, carefully check the vehicle's outward appearance. Note any rust that may lead to problem areas later, and carefully evaluate how the body panels line up (misaligned or mismatched body panels may indicate that the truck was involved in a serious accident). Carefully check inside the truck's engine bay and door jambs for paint spray, another sign of a past accident.

3

Visually inspect the truck's interior. The interior of light diesel trucks can be somewhat difficult to diagnose, as they are considerably different from private cars. On high-mileage trucks, the driver's seat may show a considerable amount of wear; check the seat for comfort and if any springs can be felt. Check for stains on the dashboard, seats and carpeting, but remember that stains are cosmetic and can usually be removed relatively easily. Since diesel light trucks are typically used for deliveries, check for damage (dents in panels or tears in upholstery) caused by cargo. Note any unusual smells, such as fuel or coolant, but remember that a considerable amount of human perspiration has likely been absorbed by the truck's interior over it's life as well.

4

Have the truck inspected by a qualified mechanic. Taking a used vehicle to a mechanic for an impartial third-party opinion on its mechanical condition is a customary step when buying a used car, but not every mechanic is qualified to inspect used diesel light trucks. Check your local yellow pages for a diesel mechanic, or consult a local commercial truck dealership for qualified inspections.

5

Make an offer to the seller. If the truck appears to be in satisfactory condition and receives a clean bill of health from the mechanic, make a purchase offer to the seller. Making an offer can be as simple as committing to buy the used truck, though many buyers factor the cost of repairs or other foreseeable expenses into the purchase price they're willing to offer. Use caution not to present an offer that is too low, known as "lowballing." This may alienate some sellers and prevent the transaction from moving forward.

6

Complete the transaction. After successfully offering and negotiating a purchase price, pay the promised funds to the seller. In return, the seller should provide you with the truck's title and a bill of sale. Be certain to collect these documents, as they will be your only proof of ownership.

7

Register the truck. Registering a used diesel light truck is typically done through the same channels as registering a private vehicle, and the process may be identical. Depending on the local county where you reside or operate your business, this process may be completed either at the county courthouse (in the county clerk's office) or at the local tax collector's office. Note that you will be required to pay tax on the truck when you register it, and some jurisdictions may impose a higher tax on diesel light trucks because of their commercial nature.