Tempe is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2020 population of 180,587. The median annual truck driver salary in Tempe, AZ, is $52000 or $25.00 per hour. Most of them prefer to buy from a used truck dealer in Tempe, so it is very important to know how to choose the right used truck.
Go for reliable brands
According to most customers, the most trustworthy trucks are Ford, Toyota, and Chevrolet. Consumer Reports, Motor Biscuit, and Motor Trend are always good places to start looking for the most well-known brands and models.
Warranty
Does the manufacturer’s warranty still cover the powertrain and smog system? Compare mileage to the engine of a truck and federal emission standards. This insurance protects you for up to 8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first. Long-distance diesel trucks are more vulnerable to the non-warranty engine, computer, and gearbox repairs, which are more common and expensive. Used trucks from dealers have an advantage in this situation. After their technician does an in-depth examination and pre-sale servicing on the vehicle, some provide a limited guarantee.
Clean records
Check your vehicle’s records to discover whether it was involved in an accident whenever you go through a used truck buying guide. You should only acquire a used vehicle with minor and superficial damage if the existing owner has paperwork proving the damage is minimal and straightforward.
Prefer single owner
It usually sells for less than the dealer’s offer. Purchasing a used truck through an owner’s sale can save you over $1,000 while still receiving a good car. The second advantage of buying directly from the owner is that you will likely receive complete vehicle history and maintenance documents, and receipts in some situations. If you’re looking for a used vehicle for sale by the owner, you’ll be able to inquire about where and how the truck was driven and kept and whether or not repairs are required.
Diesel matters
Diesel trucks are far more expensive to maintain and repair than gasoline pickups, so do your research before purchasing one. It is especially true if your vehicle has traveled over 60,000 miles. Look for traces of gasoline or oil in the coolant or behind the coolant lid on the diesel pickup truck’s coolant spill tank.
Contaminated coolant indicates a problem with the oil cooler, exhaust gas recirculation cooler, or head gasket and can be costly to fix. Check for leaks around the injector, injection line, and turbocharger. Be cautious if you discover a problem or an old fix. When the engine repair work is completed, you’ll know when it was completed and who did it. For further information, contact the shop.
Get maintenance records
Locate the truck that was mentioned in the letter. It’s great to find a used vehicle for sale with complete service history, but this is unlikely. Locate the track that contains the service record and check to see where the service was performed. The dealer’s services are more constant than those of other mechanics, and they can typically stick to the specified timetable.
One of the biggest red flags is checking the lack of maintenance records and invoices. Pay attention to how well the vendor can communicate with you about the automobile. Purchasing a secondhand vehicle from a recent model year increases the likelihood of receiving a comprehensive service history and purchasing a trustworthy truck.
Accept a more rugged ride.
The more bells and whistles a secondhand truck has, something will likely fail. The 1970s vehicles had limited functionality, if people recall that “trucks aren’t constructed now like they used to be.” Nothing is broken, and there are no sophisticated computer control methods. Consider a base model vehicle that gets back to fundamentals if you’re seeking a reliable used truck that can survive the trials of the times.
Transmission Checks
Before buying from a used truck dealer in Tempe, pull the automatic gearbox dipstick. It’s a crimson liquid with absolutely no odor. The gearbox has an internal problem if the liquid smells brownish or the brake pads are burned. To inspect the clutch quality on a manual gearbox, transfer to high gear for a brief period during the test drive and accelerate quickly. Avoid slipping or rattling.
It can also drive in third, fourth, and fifth gears without using the throttle. Be cautious of gear growls and driveshaft vibrations when the vehicle is in this “hover” mode of operation. Ensure you know which tire you’re on while testing for powertrain vibration, so you don’t mix a mud tire problem with a drivetrain problem.