Repossessed Trucks – 5 Critical Checks to Make Before Buying a Repossessed Truck

Author: Joe Reilly

Repossessed trucks are widely available at auctions and the savings that you can achieve

when purchasing a repo truck can help you expand your business without breaking the

budget. In order to get the best advantage you want to make sure that you purchase a good

used truck that will require little or no investment from you in terms of repairs. While you

can’t take auction vehicles for a test drive, you can inspect the truck prior to the auction and I

highly recommend that you do so. Ideally you should take a qualified mechanic along with

you for the inspection, but if this is not possible, please ensure that you make the following 5

critical checks on any repossessed trucks that you are interested in.

1) Check the Vehicle History

Prior to the auction, you can access a list of vehicles for sale. Select the trucks that

you are interested in and note the VIN. Run a vehicle check to ensure the truck has

not been totaled, salvaged, suffered flood damage etc. in the past.

2) Inspect the Body of the Truck

Do a visual inspection on the body of the truck to ensure that there are no visible

signs of damaged bodywork, such as bubbled paint work, mismatching colors,

scratches, bumps etc. Some bodywork defects may be minor and not particularly

relevant at the price you will pay at auction, however it is important to check as

defects could indicate the vehicle has been in an accident and there could be

damage to the engine or inner workings of the vehicle if this is the case.

3) Check all Doors and Hinges

Open and close the doors to check that the hinges and locks are working smoothly. I

also recommend visually inspecting all hinges to ensure that there are no signs of

welding or other work that may indicate a patchy fix up has occurred.

4) Start the Engine

You are entitled to start the engine during a pre-auction inspection and it is critical

that you do so. Listen to the sound of the engine and ensure there is no knocking or

other unusual noises that may be symptomatic of engine damage. While the engine

is running, also check that the air conditioning and electric windows are working.

5) Check Fluids

You should dip the oil, with the engine off, to ensure that it is reasonably clean. If the

dipstick shows a low level of oil, that is black and dirty, it may indicate that the engine

has been poorly maintained, although it doesn’t necessarily mean that the vehicle is

in bad condition and the truck may just need a service and an oil change. You should

also check that the transmission fluid is clear. If it is dark or smells burnt, then there

may be problems with the transmission.

It is important to check a vehicle, as thoroughly as possible, prior to making a purchase at

repo truck auctions. However, it is important to note that many repossessed trucks, are

being auctioned because the original owner cannot afford to keep them and not because

they are damaged goods. Given the sudden change in economic conditions, you will find

many late model vehicles at a repossessed truck auction. Being in a position to buy such a

vehicle, could give your business just the advantage it needs.

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