8 Questions You Should Ask Before Buying a Used Semi Truck
Buying a used semi-truck is a big investment. Whether you are purchasing your semi from Pedigree Truck & Trailer Sales or someone else, make sure you ask the following questions before purchase. Inspecting the truck yourself is also recommended. These questions could prevent you from purchasing a piece of equipment that doesn’t meet your trucking business needs.
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Has the truck been involved in any accidents?
At Pedigree Truck Sales, every truck comes with a full history, including service records. You’ll see any reported accidents, every oil change, and all major maintenance.
Accident history matters. Hidden damage can affect performance, reliability, and long-term costs.
When you understand a truck’s full history, you can make a confident, informed purchase and keep your truck running strong.
Are there any outstanding recalls?
The most direct way to check for recalls is by using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the truck. You can enter the VIN on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website in the United States. This service will tell you whether the truck has been subject to any recalls.
At Pedigree, we have long standing relationships with the original equipment manufacturers and quickly take steps to resolve any issues as soon as there is a recall announcement.
Can I have my mechanic inspect the truck?
All Pedigree equipment is serviced and inspected by our maintenance shops and the original manufacturer.
Some customers still want their own mechanic to check the truck.
If that’s you, tell your salesman.
We’ll help you set up an appointment so your mechanic can look it over.
If you buy from a private seller or another dealer, you don’t get the same guarantee.
Have someone you trust inspect the truck.
You should look it over, too.
Use our Semi Truck Inspection Checklist to guide you.
How many engine hours does this semi have?
When buying a used semi-truck, engine hours matter. They show real wear and tear and give a clearer picture than mileage alone. Mileage doesn’t reflect idling or heavy-load stress, but engine hours do.
Knowing the engine hours helps you plan maintenance, predict issues, and keep the truck running at its best. It also affects pricing because it reveals the engine’s true condition and remaining lifespan.
At Pedigree, every truck includes an APU to cut idle time, save fuel, and extend engine life.
What is the life of the brakes?
Evaluating the life of your brakes provides essential insights into both the safety readiness of the truck and the potential upcoming maintenance costs.
At Pedigree, all brakes are replaced if they have less than 75% of life left in them. When you roll off our lot with your truck, you have the reassurance of knowing you are driving away with new or like new brakes.
How much life is left on the tires?
Tires are a huge expense. In fact, purchasing good quality, name brand tires could cost and addition $6000-7000. If there isn’t much life left on the tires, you will soon be facing the additional charge of replacing them.
Here at Pedigree, we only sell trucks with name brand, virgin tires. You also get to decide if you want super singles or duals.
Has it been DOT Inspected?
We take care of this step for you at Pedigree! Each truck comes with a fresh DOT inspection. One less thing for you to worry about!
Your semi will need to be DOT inspected to ensure it is road legal. Having a semi-truck undergo a Department of Transportation (DOT) inspection is crucial for ensuring that it meets all safety regulations and standards. This inspection assesses various components of the truck, including brakes, lights, tires, exhaust systems, and steering mechanisms, to confirm they are in optimal working condition. By ensuring DOT compliance, truck owners and operators protect not only their own safety but also that of other road users.
Are there any warranties?
When purchasing a used semi-truck, a warranty can be a key factor in protecting your investment. Warranties on used semis provide assurance against potential mechanical failures and defects that may not be immediately apparent at the time of purchase. They can cover critical components such as the engine, transmission, and differential, which are expensive to repair or replace.
At Pedigree, the warranty option is going to vary from truck to truck. Check out our inventory and let our Truck Experts know if you have any questions.
Ask the Experts:
I have purchased two Freightliners. I was most interested in hearing about warranty information, financing options, and seeing the maintenance records. -Chris Ewing, Former Driver/Prime Inc. Driver’s Line Up
I would ask about financing options, and I would ask for a list of trucks that meet my business needs. -JR Cuevas, Pedigree Truck Expert
Ready to Buy a Used Semi Truck?
We have over 50 years of experience in the industry. The trucks and trailers you purchase from our fleet helped build Prime Inc., the largest reefer company in the United States, and now they are ready to make money for your business. We know every penny counts in the trucking industry, so we only buy and sell equipment that has been specced to keep more money in your wallet. If you are buying a used semi-truck, give us a call today! We would love to help you!
