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5 tips when running a history check on your truck

Published on November 24th, 2020
  Written by 
Bill Tsouvalas
Bill Tsouvalas is the managing director and a key company spokesperson at Savvy. As a personal finance expert, he often shares his insights on a range of topics, being featured on leading news outlets including News Corp publications such as the Daily Telegraph and Herald Sun, Fairfax Media publications such as the Australian Financial Review, the Seven Network and more. Bill has over 15 years of experience working in the finance industry and founded Savvy in 2010 with a vision to provide affordable and accessible finance options to all Australians. He has built Savvy from a small asset finance brokerage into a financial comparison website which now attracts close to 2 million Aussies per year and was included in the BRW’s Fast 100 in 2015 as one of the fastest-growing companies in the country. He’s passionate about helping Australians make financially savvy decisions and reviews content across the brand to ensure its accuracy. You can follow Bill on LinkedIn.
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1. Check the maintenance history

A well-kept truck is a good sign that you are about to make an investment. If you are buying it privately, you can ask the owner to see its maintenance book. A truck that hasn’t been maintained well can cost you thousands of dollars later on. Therefore, it is vital to look at the neat exterior and delve deep into the truck's records

2. Doing a VIN check

Doing a VIN check on a truck can offer you essential information on a vehicle's history. You can run a VIN check on sites such as PPSR or Carhistory to find out information such as:

  • Past ownership
  • Title & accident history
  • If it has finance owning
  • If it has been stolen
  • Odometer readings

3. Do a physical check

A used truck purchased from a dealer or at an Auction should be functional, but if you are purchasing through a private sale it is vital to check if there are any physical issues that come with it. The maintenance history should be able to tell you what has been replaced which can give you a good idea of what could possibly cause issues later on or will need upgrading soon. If a truck comes with parts that are wearing and need replacement over a short space of time you could be investing in a lemon that can cost you.

4. Run a safety check

A truck can form an integral part of your business. Therefore, the safety of the truck is essential. Check that the safety features of the truck are fully functional such as the brakes and lights. Thankfully, there are latest model trucks that come with updated features that you can purchase at a less price.

5. Research the engines model track record

Checking the durability of an engine model is essential when purchasing a used truck. This will require some research on your end to look into the type of engine that the truck has as some are known for having a history of problems that cost owners tons of money. Some engines are also known to wear out after a certain period of time or when you reach a certain mileage. Researching trucks that come with the best engine model can be a good investment in the long run.

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This guide provides general information and does not consider your individual needs, finances or objectives. We do not make any recommendation or suggestion about which product is best for you based on your specific situation and we do not compare all companies in the market, or all products offered by all companies. It’s always important to consider whether professional financial, legal or taxation advice is appropriate for you before choosing or purchasing a financial product.

The content on our website is produced by experts in the field of finance and reviewed as part of our editorial guidelines. We endeavour to keep all information across our site updated with accurate information.

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The interest rate, comparison rate, fees and monthly repayments will depend on factors specific to your profile, such as your financial situation, as well as others, such as the loan’s size and your chosen repayment term. Costs such as broker fees, redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, aren’t included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts may result in a different comparison rate.

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