Automakers sold over 15.1 million new vehicles in the U.S. in 2021, and more than three-quarters of those were light-duty pickup trucks, SUVs and crossovers.
At the same time, demand for used cars is up; overall used-vehicle sales in 2021 increased by about 10% compared with 2020, and many of those were trucks. Those who can’t afford to buy a new pickup — or who just like to take advantage of depreciation — are always searching for a good deal on a used pickup.
Related: 6 Months With a 2022 Ford Maverick: Is It Still Our Top Gun?
If you’re hunting for a used pickup, there are millions available on Cars.com, and there are ample filters to narrow down your choices. When shopping for a used pickup, don’t be blinded by the bells and whistles, nice paint and attractive price. Instead, be smart and thorough in your decision making, and be sure to see the truck in person and do your own inspection.
To compile our top recommendations for buying a used pickup, we talked with used-car dealers, wholesale vehicle buyers, auto repair mechanics and other dealership experts to find out what they look for when buying a used pickup — then we added a couple of our own tips garnered from first-hand experience. In no particular order, here’s what you need to keep in mind when buying a used pickup: