What to pay attention to when buying a used truck tractor to avoid disappointment, advise the specialists at Nika Service.

According to mechanics with many years of experience working with heavy commercial vehicles, the first thing to check is the truck tractor’s mileage and age. The “younger” the truck and the less it has driven, the better. The best secondary market units are those with mileage not exceeding 700,000 km, as beyond this point significant repairs and parts replacements may be needed.

If the numbers on the speedometer are questionable, then the intended purchase should be inspected visually. The paint on the body and frame, brake system energy chambers, and possible corrosion spots clearly indicate the truck’s condition and how it was used. For example, vehicles operated in cold Scandinavia or the coastal Netherlands will differ from those driven in Germany or France. However, visual inspection is suitable only for vehicles with mileage up to 1,000,000 km because, as practice shows, their appearance barely changes after that.

Signs that the truck may have been used longer than the speedometer shows include worn driver seat upholstery and a worn steering wheel.

The next step is the truck’s mileage again. There are nuances here. Sometimes dishonest sellers try to roll back the truck’s speedometer and reduce the mileage. In modern trucks produced after 2006, the real mileage can be found through digital tachograph readings. Models before 2006 had mechanical tachographs where speed and mileage were recorded on special paper discs, which could be tampered with, so mileage couldn’t be reliably determined. In current tachographs, all data is stored in device memory and can be easily checked.

Sometimes sellers replace digital tachographs to reduce mileage, but not everyone knows that tachographs remember not only mileage but also the vehicle’s VIN number. If the truck’s VIN doesn’t match the one recorded in the tachograph, it means the tachograph has been changed.

There are cases when the seller removes the original tachograph, uses another temporarily, and returns the old one when selling the truck. The speedometer will show the fake mileage, the tachograph the real VIN, but the overall truck condition will reveal the higher mileage. If there’s any doubt, it’s recommended to connect a computer to the truck and check the information stored in the control unit, such as how many liters of fuel were filled. Knowing the fuel consumed and average consumption per 100 km, you can estimate the approximate mileage. Also, analyzing recorded faults helps create a fuller picture of past vehicle issues. For example, buying a truck with a previously overheated engine may lead to very high unexpected repair costs. A computer can check engine compression, brake system and air valve operation, clutch wear, and gear shift history (if automatic). However, it’s best to leave data analysis to specialists who can interpret the data and accurately convey the truck’s history.

The control unit also shows how long the truck operated with a gear engaged and how long at idle. Working hours provide useful information to buyers. For instance, if a manufacturer like Volvo expects wheel hubs to last about a million kilometers and engines 2-2.5 million, but you buy a truck with rolled-back mileage, component failures may arise at the worst time. Knowing the true mileage helps anticipate problems by timely replacing worn parts and better estimating repair costs. This makes decision-making easier.

Another way to check the vehicle is to contact an authorized service center to obtain information on warranty repairs, routine maintenance, and repairs after warranty expiration. They can also provide exact mileage data for each year. If the vehicle was purchased new from a dealer, the official representative will have records of its service and any past issues.

If you have questions or plan to buy a truck and need advice, Nika Service technicians are ready to assist you.