Things to Check before Buying a Used Bucket Truck

Buying a used bucket truck can be tricky business, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. Use the inspection tips below to check any bucket truck before you sign off on a purchase.

• The vehicle identification number is your friend, and is one of the first things you should look for. Run the VIN through a vehicle history check online to check if the used bucket truck you are buying has been involved in an accident or was stolen.
  
  
• Walk around the vehicle several times to check for defects. Each turn around the vehicle should reveal new problems, and if the problems you spot start piling up, consider moving on to your next choice.
  
  
   
  
  
  
• Tinker with the various controls in the cab. With the dealer’s permission, turn on the engine and check that no maintenance lights turn on. Also, try the AC, brakes, and other components to make sure they all work.
  
  
• Check that the tires are evenly worn down. Unusual wear on a truck’s tires is indicative of the wheels being out of alignment.
  
  
• Give different parts of the used bucket truck’s body a light knock. Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate that bodywork has been previously done on the vehicle—a sign that it has been involved in an accident. 
  
  

With these considerations in mind, buying a used bucket truck that will perform as intended becomes less of a guessing game, and you can rest easy knowing your purchase was truly worth your money.