25 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Used Semi Truck

30 Jun.,2025

 

25 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Used Semi Truck

Knowing how many owners the truck has had can provide insights into how it might have been used and maintained. Trucks with fewer owners are more likely to have been consistently maintained, whereas trucks with multiple owners might have experienced varied levels of care.

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At Pedigree, all of the trucks are one owner and have been fleet maintained.  Pedigree Truck & Trailer Sales is a division of Prime Inc., the largest reefer hauler in America.  This means you are getting a truck that has been well maintained by a company with 50 years in the business.  We know how to spec trucks and we know how to maintain them!

Knowing a used semi truck’s maintenance history can bring a lot of peace of mind and understanding to the new owner.  A truck that is properly maintained is going to last longer and it will get better fuel economy.  Both of these things are better for your bottom line as a small fleet owner!

Pedigree provides complete service records for every truck, showing detailed maintenance history, including all oil changes (done on time or early), repairs, and service intervals.

When buying a used semi-truck, knowing the accident history of that truck is important.  Specifically, you want to look for incidents that could affect the structural integrity of the used semi truck.  This can help you avoid potential hidden issues that might arise later as a result of such accidents. This information is always included with your paperwork when purchasing a truck from Pedigree. You can also review service records for any truck in our inventory before making your purchase.

Pedigree provides detailed service records, including any history of accidents or major repairs, offering full transparency about the truck’s condition.

When you purchase your used semi truck, you should get a copy of the service records that provides a detail look into the maintenance history as well as an accidents that the semi truck has been involved in.

Transparency is important at Pedigree and these records are available for every truck in our inventory.  Because our trucks are one owner and fleet maintained, you have the added benefit of having service records that date back to the first day the truck was in operation.  That is power and peace of mind for any truck owner!

How many hours has the truck spent idling?  To check, scroll through the display screen on the dash until you find the engine hours.  A truck equipped with an APU will have signifantly less engine hours, meaning less wear and tear on the engine and other components.

Since all of Pedigree’s trucks come with an APU, the engine hours tend to be low.  This means there is more life left on your engine!

Fuel is one of your biggest expenses as a truck driver or fleet owner.  It is important to purchase a used semi truck with a history of getting amazing fuel efficiency.  At the end of the day, fuel costs can make or break a transportation business.  Starting with a piece of equipment spec’d for great fuel economy is going to ensure you have the best chance at reducing fuel costs without any additional effort or time on your part.

Pedigree’s Freightliner trucks typically offer above-average fuel efficiency, often ranging between 8-9 miles per gallon, depending on the load and driving conditions.

When shopping for a used semi truck it is important to choose an engine that is known for being dependable.  You also want to make sure that engine can handle the demands of your business. 

Pedigree’s Freightliner trucks are often equipped with the Detroit Diesel DD15 engines, known for their dependability and fuel economy.  According to Freightliner, the DD15 engine is a great choice for over the road drivers.

Automatic or Manual?  Everyone has a preference, and you will need to decide which transmission is best for you.

Pedigree offers trucks Automated Manual Transmissions (AMTs).  AMTs combine the efficiency of manual transmissions with the convenience of automation. These systems automate clutch operation and gear shifts while retaining a manual gearbox’s mechanical efficiency. AMTs provide smoother shifts and can adapt to driving conditions, enhancing fuel economy and reducing wear on components.

Understanding the truck’s engine power and torque can help determine if it’s suitable for your hauling needs, particularly for heavy loads or hilly terrain.  Semi-trucks typically feature engines producing between 400-500 HP and 1,200-2,000 lb-ft of torque.

Pedigree’s inventory includes trucks equipped with different torque and horsepower.  Pedigree Freightliners, which make up the majority of our used truck inventory, deliver 400 HP and lb ft of fixed torque.  This configuration balancing power and fuel efficiency!

Your used semi truck must comply with the standards set under regulations like the Clean Air Act.  The easiest way to know if your truck is in compliance with these standards is to look for the Clean Air sticker on your truck.

Pedigree used semis all have the Clean Air sticker and are in compliance with current standards.

You should ask if the semi truck you are purchasing is equipped with disc brakes or drum brakes.

All of Pedigree’s used semi trucks are equipped with drum brakes.  These are more affordable up front and more affordable to maintain in the long run.

Semi trucks are equipped with diesel engines that are known to be durable and long lasting.  Well maintained trucks are expected to reach 750,000 to 1,000,000 miles before requiring any type of major overhaul and they can keep going strong after an overhaul.

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Pedigree trucks are fleet-maintained and typically have a longer lifespan due to rigorous service schedules.  Another added benefit of purchasing from a fleet!

Is the body in good condition?  Is there rust on the frame?  Rust can compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle, leading to safety concerns and costly repairs.

As mentioned above, each truck goes through our body shop where it is inspected for damage and any repairs are made.  By choosing a truck from Pedigree, you can be confident in the quality and care invested in each vehicle, providing peace of mind for your investment.

Driving down the road on bad tires is hurting your budget, fuel economy, and could present safety concerns.  Before purchasing your used semi truck, make sure the tires are in good shape.  The most important standards to follow are the legal requirements put in place by the Department of Transportation (The DOT).  The DOT mandates a minimum tread depth of 4/32” on steer tires and 2/32” on drive and trailer tires.  If the tread is below these thresholds, its time to replace the tires.

Good news for our Pedigree customers!  Pedigree only sells trucks with name-brand, virgin tires. All tires are new and meet the DOT requirements for tread depth.  This upgrade can save you $-$ on tire purchases right out the gate!

You will be spending the majority of your days and nights inside the cab of this truck, so it is important to make sure you are comfortable in the space.  While some of that comes down to how roomy the cab is and the design of the cab, you also want to make sure the cab is clean and in good condition.

Every truck at Pedigree Truck Sales goes through our body shop and detail shop.  This means your truck is inspected inside and out.  We replace any damaged equipment and make sure the truck is thoroughly cleaned.

Replacing drum brakes involves labor, parts, and the cost of your downtime.  Make sure you are getting a truck with brakes that don’t need to be replaced.

We guarantee that the brakes on your semi truck will have 75% of life left on them or we replace them at no additional charge.

If you aren’t familiar with the ins and outs of a semi truck, it might be best to bring a 3rd party along to inspect the truck with you.  This could be an outside diesel tech or someone close to you who has experience with used semi-trucks.  Be wary of anyone who wants to sell you a semi-truck without allowing a 3rd party to inspect the equipment.

Pedigree allows buyers to arrange for third-party inspections before purchasing to ensure the truck meets their standards.  Just let your Truck Expert know so we can schedule an appointment for the inspection.

As a fleet owner, keeping your safety rating up is an important part of managing profits.  Purchasing a truck equipped for safety provides a strong foundation for your success.  Traction Control, Rollover Stability Control, and Adaptive Cruise Control are just a few safety features you want to look for when purchasing a used semi-truck. 

At Pedigree Truck & Trailer Sales, safety is our top priority and these trucks are loaded down with features to help keep you and your drivers safe out on the roads. 

It is legal to sell a truck without a current DOT inspection, but that leaves the new owner at a disadvantage.  It means the new owner will need to get the used semi truck DOT inspected before they can legally drive it down the road.  During this process, the DOT inspector is looking the truck over to see if there are any repairs needed before you can legally use your semi truck to haul freight.

If they do find repairs are needed on the truck, that money will come out of your pocket.

All trucks sold by Pedigree come with a fresh DOT inspection, ensuring they meet road safety standards.  It is important to our team that you drive away on equipment that is safe and ready to haul!

We talk about fuel a lot in the trucking industry!  Again, watching your fuel costs is so important for the overall success of your business which is why purchasing a truck with an APU is so important.  You aren’t just saving on fuel!  You are reducing idle time with cuts down on the wear and tear of your engine.  Less idling means more engine life! 

  • All Pedigree semi trucks come equipped with a Tripac Evolution Thermo King APU, a bunk heater, and an inverter. 
  • That means when you drive a Pedigree truck, you are ahead of the game when it comes to increasing profits!

The APU is an added piece of equipment and will need to be on a service schedule just like your truck.  You want to make sure the previous owner can show a history of taking care of the APU.

At Pedigree, every APU is serviced every hours.  This includes a filter and an oil change.  We keep service records and these are available to you when you purchase your truck from Pedigree.

Finding a used semi truck under warranty might be easier said than done, especially if you are trying to purchase from an individual owner.  However, many trucks at Pedigree still have the remainder of the factory warranty, with additional extended warranty options available.

You can find warranty information available under each individual used semi truck.

If you’re planning to buy a used semi-truck or trailer, you might be curious about the financing options available to you.

At Pedigree Truck and Trailer Sales, we’re here to help! We make it easy and secure for you to get pre-qualified for a loan or lease. Simply click the link below and complete the required information on our form. Once we receive your details, we’ll collaborate with a lender to find the best terms and conditions for your loan.

For more information, please visit Specialty Semi Trailers.