Questions to ask your dealer when buying your first truck or upgrading

Questions to ask your dealer when buying your first truck or upgrading

Whether you’re buying a truck for the first time or upgrading to a new one, you’ll need to work together with a dealer to find the best vehicle for you. This means asking the right questions and getting answers that will aid you in the decision-making process. Here are five questions to keep in mind when talking to a dealer.

How will this truck serve my business?

The most important information you can give your dealer is about your business. Talk about your industry, your customers, and what you’ll be using your truck for most often. Ask whether certain trucks are built better for the tasks that are most important to your business. This will help the dealer understand your needs so you can have multiple options from which to choose.

What are this vehicle’s specifications?

You will definitely want to ask about the basics, such as horsepower and torque, but dig beneath the surface level to find out more about the engine type, transmission, gross combined weight rating (GCWR) and gross vehicle weight rating, towing capacity, fuel economy, and more. You should also ask about manufacturer-specific features, including connected services, telematics systems, and available packages as well as maintenance, repair, and general support services.

How safe is this truck?

Safety has always been important to truck manufacturers, but safety features are becoming increasingly more complex. Inquire whether a given truck has some of the more advanced features available, such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic braking, collision detection, and other driver assistance systems. Manufacturers have designed these systems specifically to protect truck operators, other drivers, and pedestrians alike.

Can I take a test drive?

Most dealerships will let you test drive any truck on the lot. This allows you to get an idea firsthand for how the truck operates and feels. If you’re a first-time truck buyer, keep in mind that you might not know all of the questions to ask right off the bat, so test drives give you an opportunity to try different models and find the one that’s best for you. This is also crucial when buying used trucks because driving a truck yourself will also reveal how well the truck has been maintained.

Will this truck retain its value?

Owner operators and trucking businesses that take good care of their fleets know that you can still get a return on your original investment later on to help offset the cost of buying new vehicles. Ask your dealer about the depreciation rates of various vehicles, because choosing a truck that retains its value can pay dividends further down the road.