Listen.
Buying a used truck these days is next to impossible. People want a bazillion dollars for their turd stack “just because”. I blame auto manufacturers for discontinuing land yachts and V8s but that’s a story for another time.
If you have to have a used truck, at least let me make it a little simpler for you when it comes to mileage.
When hunting for a pre-owned truck, the aspect that should be given utmost consideration is the odometer reading.
The number of miles a truck has accumulated tells its history of wear and tear, and in turn, affects its longevity and performance.
So buckle up as we delve into what is deemed as “excessive miles” for a used truck and what to scrutinize when evaluating your next potential purchase.
Table of Contents
- The Significance Of Knowing A Used Truck’s Mileage
- Factors To Take into Account When Assessing Used Truck Mileage
- The Common Threshold for “Too Many Miles”
- What To Do If You Discover a Used Truck with High Mileage
- Wrapping Things Up
The Significance Of Knowing A Used Truck’s Mileage
While browsing for a second-hand truck, it is imperative to be aware of the vehicle’s mileage for several reasons.
To start with, high mileage could signify that the truck has undergone regular and prolonged use, which may lead to higher chances of wear and tear in its engine, transmission, and other mechanical parts.
In other words, more mileage = more use. Generally, that’s bad but occasionally if you have a good owner it could mean a lot of new replacement parts saving you money in the long run.
Factors To Take into Account When Assessing Used Truck Mileage
Used truck shopping can take forever so here are the cliff notes on what to look out for.
Age Of The Truck:
The age of a used truck can also impact its overall condition, regardless of its mileage. A vintage truck with lower mileage may still exhibit signs of wear and tear, while a newer truck with higher mileage may be in better shape.
Maintenance Records:
Regular maintenance and upkeep can extend a used truck’s lifespan and minimize the impact of high mileage.
Believe It or not, good owners do exist. Some even do their maintenance on time.
Look for a truck with a comprehensive maintenance history and a record of consistent oil changes and other routine services.
Type of Driving:
The type of driving a truck has been subjected to can also affect its lifespan and condition.
For instance, a truck that has been utilized commercially may have been driven more frequently and for longer distances, which could result in higher wear and tear.
Conversely, a truck that has mainly been used for personal purposes may have been driven less and may be in better condition.
Just a Note.
Be extremely cautious of trucks used for commercial purposes with abnormally low mileage like security trucks. These vehicles spend lots of time idling which can be worse than very high mileage on engine life.
The Common Threshold for “Too Many Miles”
The common threshold for “too many miles” on a used truck can range widely, but as a general rule of thumb, a used truck with over 100,000 miles is considered high mileage.
The 100,000-mile thing is mostly a myth now. Most modern cars built after the mid 2000s can go well beyond that 100k mark with no problem. You can push that number even higher with Toyotas.
Personally, I’d say 200,000 is the new 100,000 for high mileage.
A truck with high mileage that has been well-maintained and driven primarily for personal use may still be in good condition, while a truck with lower mileage that has not been well-maintained may have significant wear and tear issues.
It’s better in my opinion to have higher mileage on a vehicle like 125k+ than one with 75k-90k miles. The higher mileage one probably has more maintenance done while the other cars were dumped right before the work was needed.
Find out what the original mileage warranty was for the vehicle you’re looking at. If your car has double or more miles, chances are major wear items have been replaced already.
What To Do If You Discover a Used Truck with High Mileage
If you come across a used truck with high mileage that still piques your interest (even with these outrageous prices), there are a few steps you can take to ensure it’s a wise investment:
Have A Mechanic Inspect The Truck:
A mechanic can assess the truck’s condition and give you a clearer understanding of any potential wear and tear issues.
Really, just pay the 100 bucks or whatever your mechanic charges to look at the car. It can literally save you thousands in repairs.
Check The Truck’s History Report:
Carfax, Autocheck, Vehiclehistory. Just get one.
A history report can provide you with information on the truck’s past accidents, repairs, and maintenance history. Some cars carry dark secrets we don’t want surprises later.
Take The Truck For A Test Drive:
I know sites like Carvana and Vroom have made it all the rage to click and buy a car like all the crap in your Amazon prime cart but this is NOT THE WAY.
Dealers lie all the time, and haven’t we learned from Instagram that pictures look way better than the real deal sometimes?
A test drive can give you a better understanding of the truck’s performance, handling, overall quality, engine troubles, etc.
Not to mention if what your paying for is what you’re really getting.
Negotiate The Price:
Always try to negotiate. Prices are too damn high on used cars.
If the truck has high mileage and substantial wear and tear issues, you may be able to negotiate a lower price.
Start at a low price, you can always go higher but you can’t come back down.
Wrapping Things Up
When purchasing a used truck, it’s crucial to thoroughly research and evaluate the truck’s mileage.
High mileage may indicate significant wear and tear on the truck, but this is not always the case.
By taking into account factors such as the truck’s age, maintenance record, and type of driving, you can make a more informed decision when purchasing a used truck with high mileage.