I’ve been buying and selling trucks in Central Texas since Lyndon Johnson was president. This checklist is the reason I still have a good name and a full wallet.
Exterior – First 60 Seconds
- Does the truck sit level? (springs/suspension)
- Tire wear even? Cupping or edges = alignment or bigger issues
- All four tires matching brand & tread
- Rust bubbles under paint (cab corners, rockers, bed)
- Door, hood, tailgate gaps consistent
- Any signs of repaint or bondo
- Frame rails – fresh undercoating hiding rust?
- Bed bolts ever replaced? (bed was off = possible wreck)
- Front-end collision repair evidence
- Windshield cracks or long stress cracks
Under the Hood
- Oil cap – milky/chocolate milk = blown head gasket
- Coolant – correct color, no oil floating
- Belt condition & tensioner bounce
- Radiator fins bent or packed with cottonwood
- Air filter – black death = neglected maintenance
- Battery terminals clean, date code
- Signs of EGR/DPF delete (common on diesels)
- Turbo oil lines weeping
- Transmission cooler lines soft or leaking
- Any fresh leaks on valve covers or rear main seal
Test Drive – The Truth Comes Out
- Cold start – how many revolutions before firing?
- Excessive white/blue/gray smoke on startup
- Idle smooth or lopey?
- Transmission shifts firm & smooth (no 1-2 slam)
- 4x4 engages cleanly (no grinding)
- Brakes – pulling or pulsation?
- Death wobble above 50 mph
- Steering play or wandering
- Any warning lights on cluster
- A/C ice-cold within 60 seconds
Final 17 Points (The Real Money Savers)
I only share the complete 47-point list in the free PDF.
Including the hidden “walk away right now” triggers I’ve learned the hard way over six decades.
Get the Full 47-Point Checklist (Free PDF)
“I’ve walked away from more trucks than I’ve bought using this list.
That’s exactly why I still have a good name after 60 years.”
— Randy Adams