7 Things to Look for When Buying a Used Truck in the Inland Empire

A good used truck can save you a lot of money. A bad one can cost you just as much. Trucks get worked hard, so two that look the same on the lot can be in totally different shape underneath. Here's what we tell people to check before buying a used truck around Chino Hills and the rest of the Inland Empire.

Start with the paperwork. Regular oil changes and fluid services are a good sign. Gaps of 20,000 or 30,000 miles with nothing on record are not. Pull the vehicle history report too, so you can see the number of owners, any reported accidents and where the truck has been registered.

Ask what the truck did for a living. Look at the hitch receiver for heavy wear, check for trailer wiring or an aftermarket brake controller, and look at the bed for deep gouges. None of that is a deal breaker on its own. Trucks are built to work. You just want to know how hard this one worked so you can plan for maintenance.

Get under it or have someone do it for you. Look for leaks, bent or scraped components, and a truck that sits lower on one corner. Rust is less common on trucks that have spent their life in Southern California, but plenty of trucks come in from out of state, so don't skip it.

If the truck has four wheel drive, test it. Shift into 4H and 4L if it's equipped with both, and listen for clunks or grinding. A lot of people never use 4x4 until they're headed up to Big Bear in the snow, which is the worst time to find out it doesn't work.

Start it cold if you can. Listen for ticking or knocking, and watch for warning lights on the dash. Then take it on the 71 or the 60, not just around the block. Shifts should feel smooth at freeway speed and in stop and go traffic.

Truck tires and brakes aren't cheap. Check that the tires match and have decent tread left, and look for uneven wear that could point to an alignment issue. On the test drive, the brakes should feel firm without pulling or grinding.

Modern trucks have a lot going on inside. Test the touchscreen, phone connection, backup camera, power outlets, every light and the tailgate. It takes five minutes and it's a lot easier than finding out later.

That's where certified comes in. A Gold Certified Ford has passed Ford's 172-point inspection and comes with a CARFAX report and Ford-backed limited warranty coverage. If you'd rather skip some of the guesswork, check out our Ford Blue Advantage certified inventory.

Check our used inventory to see which trucks are on the lot right now. It changes often. If you have a truck to trade, get a trade-in value online first, then come see us at 4480 Chino Hills Parkway in Chino.