Used Vehicle: What I Look for

Buying a used truck, SUV, or car can save you a lot of money — or it can cost you thousands in repairs you didn’t see coming.

Here’s what I tell everyone who calls me before they buy a used vehicle:

1. Check for mismatched tires

If a seller can’t put a decent matching set of tires on a vehicle, what else have they skipped? This is one of the quickest signs of poor maintenance.

2. Pop the hood and look at the fluids

Oil that’s thick and black? Coolant that’s brown or low? Transmission fluid that smells burned? These are signs that basic upkeep hasn’t been done — or worse, that there’s damage already.

3. Ask for service records

If they “lost the records” or say “the shop did it all but I don’t have the paperwork,” assume they didn’t do the work. A well-maintained vehicle usually comes with a paper trail — even if it’s just receipts stuffed in the glovebox.

4. Start it cold

If possible, start the vehicle when the engine is cold. That’s when most problems show up — misfires, hard starts, weird noises. Sellers often warm up vehicles in advance to hide these.

5. Don’t skip the undercarriage

Look for oil leaks, rust, or fresh paint under the frame (which could be hiding damage). If you're not sure what you're looking at, book a call with me — I’ve saved a lot of people from buying trucks with serious frame issues.

If you’re about to spend $10K–$40K on a used vehicle, a quick 30-minute call could save you thousands — or steer you toward a better option.

— Monte

📞 Ready to talk before you buy? Book a call.