A used pickup truck can be a fantastic buy, especially if you need a workhorse for your business. Buying a truck second-hand can save you a significant amount of money that you can instead use for other purposes. But what should you look for to ensure you get the best deal?
Some of the best second-hand pickup trucks on the market are the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, Mitsubishi Triton, and Isuzu D-Max. These are all durable vehicles that you can rely on for many years of heavy-duty usage. To simplify your shopping process, you need to know what you need the vehicle for and how much you’re willing to spend.
You'll find plenty of deals when shopping for a second-hand pickup truck but only if you know what to look for. This guide will show you the best brands to buy and what to consider when exploring your options.
What Is the Best Second-Hand Pickup Truck to Buy?
When it comes to second-hand pickup trucks, it’s impossible to declare one as the best in the used car market.
Several pickup makes and models have proven their durability and reliability time and time again, even after several decades of use.
So instead of just one, here are 4 of the best used pickup trucks you can buy in Australia and worldwide:
- Ford Ranger: American car maker Ford earns its place on this list with its Ranger nameplate. The name has been around since 1982 and has been used on several Ford trucks varying in size, from compact to mid-sized versions. Still, any model carrying that name has a strong reputation, whether new or second-hand.
- Toyota HiLux: Japanese manufacturer Toyota also joins this list with their HiLux trucks. The name is also used on compact and mid-sized models by Toyota that have been around since 1968. Not only are HiLuxes reliable workhorses, but they’re also known for having incredibly comfortable interiors.
- Mitsubishi Triton: Since 1978, Mitsubishi, another Japanese manufacturer, has been in the pickup market with its Triton model. These compact pickup trucks now exist in their 5th generation, though older generations are available as second-hand vehicles.
- Isuzu D-Max: Unlike the 3 trucks listed above, the D-Max by Isuzu is relatively new. It came out in 2002 in various 2- and 4-door body styles. The truck is currently in its third generation, which means plenty of second-hand models from previous generations are available on the market.
You can’t go wrong when you buy one of the models above as a second-hand truck. Still, the one you choose ultimately depends on your budget and preferences.
In the next section, you’ll see a few helpful tips for choosing the best second-hand pickup truck to suit your needs.
5 Tips for Buying a Used Pick-Up Truck
Buying a used pickup truck isn’t as simple as it might seem, especially if you’re doing it for the first time.
Whether you’re buying a pickup for your business or personal use, you’ll find these five tips handy:
1. Know Your Needs
Before anything else, take time to sit down and reflect on your needs and preferences. If you ask around about buying second-hand pickup trucks, you’ll likely get conflicting pieces of advice.
However, you're the one who is investing in the vehicle, not them.
So, while you listen to all the ideas from other people, it’s important that deep inside you, you have clear answers to the following:
- What will you be using the pickup truck for? Some people use pickup trucks for their daily commute, while most people use it for work or business purposes, like moving cargo and supplies.
- How much comfort and tech do you require in the pickup truck’s cabin? Pickup trucks vary in terms of their interior trim. Some have leather seats and plenty of USB ports, while others only provide the bare minimum.
- Are you concerned about emissions and fuel efficiency? Fuel consumption and emission standards can also vary between pickup truck models. Naturally, newer models are much more efficient overall.
- How much cargo will you be carrying or towing? Consider the payload and towing capacity of the truck before purchasing it. You don’t want to be stuck with one that can’t do what you need it to do.
2. Check Your Budget
Understanding your needs is one thing, and how much you're willing to pay to meet those needs is another. Used pickup trucks can vary in price, so it helps to know how much you're ready to spend.
To be safe, determine a price range you're comfortable spending on a second-hand pickup.
Also, don’t forget to factor in any potential new or used pickup truck parts you might have to buy later.
3. Check for Warranty
All cars should come with warranties, even if they’re second-hand pickup trucks. Some dealers and sellers offer better warranties than others.
On top of that, some might also offer extended warranties that you can add to the coverage they already provide.
Any used pickup trucks for sale in Australia should come with a minimum warranty coverage according to the used car statutory requirement of your state or territory.
4. Check Vehicle History
Whenever you look at a second-hand pickup truck, you’ll want to know where it has been. Some pickups are put through more abuse than others, affecting their overall wear and tear significantly.
You can still buy an extensively used pickup truck, but the seller must disclose the vehicle’s real condition so you can both agree on a fair price.
5. Test Drive the Vehicle
Last but not least, make sure you test drive the second-hand pickup truck before buying. You should never purchase a second-hand pickup truck (or any vehicle, for that matter) without first taking it out for a drive.
The test drive is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, you must get in the driver’s seat to ensure everything inside the truck is to your liking.
Secondly, see for yourself whether the vehicle handles well and isn't experiencing any problems. Most mechanical issues only become obvious when you drive the car, such as unusual noises or steering problems.
Lastly, you must ensure that the vehicle is capable of performing its intended purpose, such as carrying cargo, towing a vehicle, etc.
Instead of doing an online search for ‘used pickup trucks near me’, why not go directly to where you can find the best information?
You can search our directory for “Used and New Cars” and type your suburb and state. Or you can check out the auto part suppliers and wreckers featured in our blog because most of them are also licensed used car dealers.
By Ray Hasbollah