Does Mileage Matter When It Comes To Buying Used Diesel Trucks?
Posted on: 10 September 2018
When shopping for a new diesel truck, you'll see countless examples with odometers showing north of 300,000 miles. Some trucks may have double or even triple the mileage of the average gas-powered vehicle. Considering how long and hard some owners work their diesel trucks, seeing a 500,000-mile truck on a dealer's lot isn't too much of a surprise.
The question is whether you should take a chance on a high-mileage diesel truck or pass it up for more promising prospects. The following helps shed some light on the issue of mileage and how it affects your used diesel truck purchase.
Mileage Only Tells Part of the Story
Just as you can't judge a book by its cover, you can't judge a truck simply based on one particular aspect of it. Nevertheless, mileage often plays a significant role in used vehicle purchases. In the world of gasoline engines, a high-mileage car or truck is often frowned upon—although that perception is quickly changing thanks to advances in engine technology.
A high-mileage diesel truck, on the other hand, is just getting broken in. Stronger engine designs and materials have helped diesel truck engines live full, strong lives for hundreds of thousands of miles without breaking a sweat. As long as there's regularly scheduled maintenance involved, some diesel engines can survive past the million-mile mark.
While mileage tells one half of the story, the amount of time a diesel engine spends in operation can also paint a used diesel truck's portrait. Some diesel trucks even have odometer-like counters that keep track of how often their previous owners used their diesel engines. A truck can have exceptionally low mileage but high engine hours due to spending the majority of its life idling or powering equipment while stationary.
Long-Term Maintenance Matters
When it comes to high-mileage diesel trucks, long-term maintenance takes center stage as an ongoing concern. The better the previous owner's maintenance regimen, the more likely the truck's in good-enough shape to purchase in spite of its high mileage.
Used diesel trucks that were once part of a major fleet are sought after because of fleet maintenance. Most companies with large fleets are big believers in preventive maintenance, opting to take care of minor maintenance issues before they spiral out of control. Smaller fleets may overlook certain problems with their diesel trucks as long as their trucks don't break down.
Where a diesel truck was serviced during its previous life can also make a major difference in your purchasing decision. While most company fleets handle their own repairs in-house, smaller firms may farm out certain jobs to their local mechanics. A diesel repair shop's reputation, quality, and parts sources can play a bigger role in your truck purchase than mileage alone.
For used diesel trucks that were previously owned by private parties, the quality of the independent repair shop or local dealer's service center is also a major factor in determining a truck's true worth.
Service Records Can Reveal All
The proof of a used diesel truck's worthiness can be found on paper, in most cases. A healthy stack of service records detailing your truck's maintenance and repair history can vindicate a million-mile truck's odometer reading. Whether you're dealing with a fleet-maintained truck or a truck from a private owner, always ask for a previous service history before buying.
While some trucks come with a stack of service records, others require a bit more sleuthing. Ordering an online vehicle history report can help reveal most, if not all, of your truck's secrets, including the amount of care it received as it racked up the mileage. Vehicle history reports are sometimes expensive, but the peace of mind that comes with knowing your used diesel truck's backstory is well worth the cost.
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