How to Read a Truck’s Maintenance History Before You Buy
When looking into buying a used truck, some people will say that the age of the vehicle is more important than the number of miles it has on it. However, most will also admit that a newer model truck that has not been well maintained is not as good of an investment as an older model that has been meticulously cared for by the seller.
And while the process may be slightly different depending on whether you’re looking at a heavy-duty pickup truck versus a box truck or long-haul tractor, we put together a guide so you can check the condition of the used vehicle you wish to purchase. Doing a little homework can go a long way when it comes to getting a good return on your investment.
Run Your Own Report
The vehicle you wish to buy should have a 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), either on the driver’s side dashboard near the windshield or on the inside of the driver’s door jam. You can use this to run a report through online databases which will allow you to view the number of previous owners, accident and damage severity indicators, title problems such as salvage or flood branding, odometer readings, recorded service records, and any open recalls.
These reports generally do come with a fee, but some dealers will provide one for free. If requested, a private seller may also have a copy of a report they should be willing to share if they are motivated to sell and want to provide a trustworthy experience.
While these reports may not show all of the maintenance that has been done on the vehicle, it does offer valuable information about any potential damage that may be lurking underneath an otherwise pristine exterior. The odometer readings will also provide you with an opportunity to cross-check the mileage numbers (listed sequentially) to ensure they increase regularly and don’t show any signs of potential odometer rollbacks.
As for recall notifications, these generally can be done easily at a qualified dealership with no cost to the vehicle owner. However, if the report shows open recall notices, you will have the opportunity to request that the seller of the vehicle have the truck serviced before you buy.
Go Old School with Fact Checking
As a potential buyer, you have the right to request all the service records on the vehicle you are considering purchasing. That includes a hard copy of receipts, copies of service logs, or any digital receipts the seller can provide. Check that the service intervals match what is recommended by the vehicle manufacturer for routine services (fluid and filter changes, etc.), as well as any repairs that might have been performed.
You’ll want to pay special attention to any heavy-duty maintenance procedures done, such as differential fluid changes, transmission service, and coolant flushes. This becomes even more critical if the vehicle has more than 100,000 miles on the odometer.
It’s also important to look for work orders for repeated complaints, which may point to unresolved chronic mechanical issues that you won’t want to inherit if you purchase the vehicle.
If you want to go one step further, if the services on the vehicle were provided by a third-party shop (not done internally or by the owner), you can check to see if the service records they have match what the seller provides.
Check for Red Flags
Age and mileage are both good indicators of what the vehicle has been through, but if you can also verify engine hours, that is definitely good information to have. A high number of hours on a newer vehicle can mean long idle times or heavy worksite use that can wear down components faster than standard road mileage.
When reviewing the service history of the vehicle, look for gaps in maintenance procedures. This can normally be explained if the owner performed services themselves, or if they were done by a small, independent shop that doesn’t have digital records. In these cases, the vehicle owner should be able to provide receipts of the materials that were purchased to perform routine maintenance with dates on the receipts that match the required service interval.
Pulling a service history record from national database providers is a great way to see if the vehicle has flood, salvage, or a branded rebuilt title. This is an official designation given to a vehicle that was previously declared a total loss or salvage by an insurance company, but since has been repaired, inspected, and made legally roadworthy again. If you do not pull a history report, pay special attention to the records provided by the seller that may suggest if these issues have occurred. Any one of them may indicate that the vehicle might have experienced catastrophic damage previously that could lead to larger issues in the future.
Narrow Your Search
We have the largest online marketplace of new and used vehicles to help make your search quick and easy. Just remember to take care of some due diligence before buying a used truck to make sure you end up with a vehicle that will provide you with years of quality service.
Barrett Baker
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