When buying a used truck, you want to hit that “sweet spot” between the cost of a new vehicle and the constant trips to the mechanic a really old vehicle will require. Depending on your budget, that window between too-new and too-old might shift a bit one way or the other, but it stands to reason that there is an age after which a given truck will only provide diminishing returns of value as it ages into rust.
Lucky for you, used Ford trucks are known for being some of the longest-lasting trucks on the market, with some from the 1940s or ’50s still enjoying a long retirement at car shows. If you want a used Ford truck that can still put in work, what’s the maximum mileage you should be willing to consider?
Rule of Thumb for Used Truck Mileage
For a quick, easy-to-remember rule of thumb, remember that the lower the mileage, the better. For used trucks with gas engines, try to keep the mileage under 100,000 miles. Used trucks with a diesel engine can go a good deal further since diesel engines are easier to maintain than gasoline. 200,000 miles in a diesel engine is about the same wear and tear as 100,000 is for gas.
Of course, higher mileage trucks will still run – some will even run well for many more years. But they’ll require more attention to their overall condition, and listen more closely to their engines while driving, idling, and towing.
Wear and Tear on Used Trucks
Of course, the engine is far from the only part that’s vital to your truck’s functioning. Every time you, or the previous owners, have driven the truck, these parts wear down a little more – that’s just how machines work. At some point, you’ll have to repair your truck – the question is how much it’ll cost. You don’t want to spend $5,000 on a truck you bought for $10,000.
When you’re looking for a used truck, make sure to check the following systems: even if the truck looks fine on the outside, many of these could be ending their lives.
- Air conditioning
- Alternator
- Axles
- Brake systems
- Emission system
- Engine
- Fuel injection system
- Fuel pump
- Muffler
- Power windows & seats
- Radiator
- Steering system
- Suspension
- Transmission
- Water pump
So at what point in the life of a used Ford pickup will these things break? While the “rule of thumb” answer says 100,000 miles, newer trucks, and Fords in general, are built to be more robust. They have better-built parts that are designed to handle wear better, and they have more sensors so you can know sooner when your truck needs service.
Properly Serviced Used Trucks Last Longer
A well-serviced truck is a long-lasting truck. At some point, Ford’s engineers realized that if they could better communicate to owners of Ford trucks what needed to be fixed, they’d be more likely to get needed service in a timely manner – meaning they’d last longer. So if you take your truck to a service department as soon as the light turns on, you’ll be doing yourself a favor in the long run, with a truck that runs smoother and needs fewer repairs.
How Much Should You Pay for a Used Truck?
Here’s another rule of thumb: for every 100,000 miles on the odometer of a used truck, expect its value to be cut in half from the original price.
This number comes from the general wisdom that every year, a vehicle drives around 15,000 miles. That means that after six years, the truck should have nearly 100,000 miles – and you can expect to pay about half the price of a six-year-old truck as one that’s brand new.
However, it’s important to remember that price is actually determined only by what the buyer and seller agree on: that’s the mechanics of the free market. If you want a good deal on a truck, be prepared to negotiate on price.
Used Trucks for Sale in Upper Marlboro
When you’re ready to take the plunge and buy your very own used Ford truck, visit Upper Marlboro Ford! We have the inventory, experience, and used truck specials you’re looking for. If you’re in the Waldorf, Bowie, Annapolis, or surrounding areas, you owe it to yourself to come take a look at the wide selection of used trucks for sale on our lot. Come see us, give us a call, or schedule a test drive today!
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