Buying a used truck or machine is one of the bigger calls you will make for your business. Get it right and you have a reliable earner for years. Get it wrong and you are stuck with someone else’s problem. After 37 years in this industry, here is how we tell our customers to buy with confidence.
Check the hours and the kilometres
Hours on machinery and kilometres on trucks tell you how hard a unit has worked, but they only mean something alongside the service history. A truck with high kays that has been serviced on the dot can be a far better buy than a low-kilometre unit that has been flogged and neglected. Always ask for the logbook and the service records, and look for consistency.
Read the service and compliance history
A genuine service history shows you who looked after the unit and what has been done. For trucks, confirm the registration is current and ask about the most recent inspection. For machinery, ask when major components such as the engine, transmission, hydraulics and undercarriage were last serviced or replaced. Gaps in the paperwork are not always a deal breaker, but they are worth a conversation.
Inspect it properly, or have someone who can
Walk around the unit in good light. Look for oil leaks, uneven tyre or track wear, cracked chassis rails, dodgy repairs and rust. Start it cold and listen. If you are not confident assessing heavy gear yourself, get an independent inspection. A few hundred dollars upfront can save you tens of thousands down the track.
Why a licensed dealer beats a private sale
When you buy privately, you are on your own. There is no recourse if the unit is not what it seemed, and you have no way of knowing if there is money still owing on it. Buying from a licensed motor dealer is different. As Licensed Motor Dealer MD076469, we are bound by consumer protections, we guarantee clear title so there is no finance owing against your purchase, and we stand behind what we sell. You also get finance, transport and trade-in options under one roof.
How we do it at MidWest
Every unit on our yard is checked over before it goes up for sale. We are upfront about condition, hours and history, and we would rather talk you out of the wrong machine than sell you one that does not suit the job. If you want a closer look, we can arrange it, and we can sort finance and Australia-wide transport so the unit lands ready to work.
Have a look through our current stock at our online listings, or get in touch on 02 6331 4331 and we will help you find the right unit with confidence. All prices are ex GST.
