Everything You Need to Know to Buy a Used Diesel Truck

Years ago I had a writer friend who self-published a book on how to buy a used car. It was 24 chapters, mostly short, but filled with useful information. His target audience was women who were tired of being taken advantage of by car salespeople who recognized their lack of experience in what was previously "a man's world." It wasn't really just for women though. I learned a lot from it and have had a lot of luck--and saved a lot of money--by knowing what to look for when buying second hand.

I thought of that book when I saw this story by Mike McGlothlin at Driving Line. The first paragraph setup details the advantages of diesel power. But then, he starts asking questions: 

"So how do you decide if a Ford, GM or Ram, Power Stroke, Duramax or Cummins is right for you? Which model years are more reliable than others? Which transmission would be better, and should I look for an automatic or a manual? What types of trouble signs should I look for on the engine, in the cab or under the body?"

And most important: What trucks should we be avoiding? No one wants a money pit. If you've ever been burned buying used, you know what I'm talking about.

Factors the author addresses include knowing how much weight you need to tow, how much the mileage should be considered as a variable, emissions systems, EGR, rust, injector issues and a dozen other details to consider. Late in the article he offers specific questions for specific models and model years. You'll appreciate the inspection pointers as well.

If you're considering a new used truck in the coming year, this 2018 story is one you'll want to read and bookmark.

 BUYING A USED DIESEL TRUCK: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW