Given the high cost of purchasing a new semi-truck, most buyers opt to get a used one to save on costs. While you will incur the refurbishment costs, in this case, you need to understand your semi-truck history to avoid purchasing a vehicle with unending costly problems in the future. Therefore, whether there is a Carfax for semi-trucks or not, I understand it is a matter of concern that requires your attention.
So, is there a Carfax for semi-trucks? There is Carfax for semi-trucks. If you conduct a search on Carfax for your semi-truck, you will find some history about it. Generally, as long as your vehicle has a Vehicle Information Number (VIN), it is fairly easy to pull its Carfax report.
Some of the details you will find about your semi-truck include its title and accident history. Unfortunately, while Carfax provides your vehicle history information, individuals do not report the accidents and repairs most of the time; hence, you may miss out on some details.
It’s important to know what is contained in a Carfax report, what you should consider when investigating a used semi-truck before purchase, how to check the VIN and the recall, among other details.
A Carfax report gives you access to information from a network of data providers. To access this information, you will need an account. After logging in, you will pay a few bucks, after which you can search for all the semi-trucks you are interested in at a single payment cost.
A Carfax vehicle history report will display all the important details about the semi-truck to enable you to make an informed purchase decision. These details include the vehicle registration, structural damages, salvaged or flood titles, odometer readings, accident indicators, service, repair information, and lemon history. Also contained in this report are the total loss accident history and the recall information.
If you are planning to buy a used truck, you should be open to many available options. Most sellers will pick the best trucks for trade-ins, but this does not imply the lack of bad ones in the market. Thus, as a prudent buyer, you should not settle for a semi-truck just because it sells at the lowest price.
Among the considerations you should have when buying a used semi-truck include the model and manufacturer’s reputation, the dealer’s reputation, the vehicle’s history, warranty, and the state of the engine.
For starters, some vehicle brands have a problem right from their manufacturing, and they will likely wear out faster. Thus, you should conduct some online research on the particular brand you are interested in regarding its original build quality and the ease of maintenance over the years. If you get a negative review online about the model, it is wise to slow down your purchase decision on the brand and consider other options.
The dealer’s reputation is also important if you are to avoid a shady truck. Preferably, you should buy your semi-truck from a dealer who has been in business for many years and with a good rapport with buyers. Purchasing your truck from a reputable dealer will increase your chances of getting a good deal on a used track.
While your dealer may be reputable, the vehicle’s history is also vital. Using Carfax to find your vehicle’s history will enable you to learn, for instance, whether the vehicle has residual damage from a major accident. Also to consider is whether your dealer is willing to extend the warranty for the used track. A warranty extension is a good sign that the vehicle is in good shape, and you will not experience problems with it soon, making the purchase worthwhile.
Finally, the engine is the most vital part of any car on the road. A semi-truck whose engine is in good shape will go over a million miles before requiring an engine rebuild. Thus, if the used semi-truck has a mileage of about 700,000, it is best that both parties factor in the rebuild cost in their price negotiation.
Where Can You Find the VIN Number on Your Semi-Truck?
The VIN is a unique code given to distinguish a vehicle from another. It is the fingerprint of a vehicle, and any serious seller or buyer should take note of it. If you have a semi-truck, you may be wondering where you can find it on your vehicle’s body, given the different models of semi-trucks.
Generally, a semi-truck’s VIN is located on the front half, on the driver’s side. It is in a fixed position to enable anyone to read it from outside. Usually, it will have a contrasting color behind it to enhance its visibility, and no matter your vehicle’s model, you will be able to locate this number on this section. In addition, you will know that the number you have found is the VIN, as it is stated in block letters and in the English language.
Finding the VIN of your truck is important to both the buyer and seller. As a buyer, this number enables you to understand the truck’s value; therefore, be able to determine if you still want to purchase it. A semi-truck is one of the big purchases you can make in your life. Therefore, as a buyer, you will want to get value for your money.
As part of your purchasing process, you should find the VIN to learn about the accidents, repairs, and past owners of the semi-truck. A truck with a cleaner history will rank higher in terms of value than one with a poor history. If the semi-truck has less than stellar history, you may opt to negotiate the price with the seller and get a better deal while factoring in its defaults.
Alternatively, you may opt out of the deal if the vehicle has major issues. Thus, the ability to read the VIN and research the vehicle’s history using it will save you from being taken advantage of by sellers and only undertake worthy investments.
As a seller, providing the history of the semi-truck using its VIN will help build a sense of trust from interested buyers. This history will also help you sell the truck at a good price should you choose to sell it. A truck with a not-so-clean history will open room for negotiation. Being open and honest about such information will enable you to seal a deal with an interested buyer.
A trailer with a clean history implies a higher selling price, enabling you to get maximum returns from your sale. Thus, by caring for your truck and providing an honest history, you will be able to close good deals faster.
How Do You Check the VIN Number?
Locating your VIN is one thing and knowing how to use it is another. I will guide you on how you can use the VIN to learn about your semi-truck as a buyer or seller.
To start the checking process, you will first need to read the VIN. This 17 digit number will provide information that you can either view on your screen or print for ease of use. Using the VIN, you will find facts about the vehicle, including the Company Identifier, length, product line, number of axels, check digit, year of manufacture, production plant, and serial number. With this number in hand, you will proceed to find a VIN checker. Preferably, you should consider a free VIN checker, especially if you are interested in more than one semi-truck.
There are several websites online that you can use to search for your VIN. Once logged in to any of these sites and entering your VIN, you will access your semi-truck’s history and any other information you need about it. You will get information on your preferred VIN checker, including the title, information on loans, mileage, registration details, and information on accidents.
The title information will give you details about the current owner and the odometer readings. Also included in the truck history is the loan and liens information which gives you proof of the existing loans on the truck and whether they were paid off. If not, then you may need to talk about the loan repayment.
On the mileage details, you will learn about the miles the vehicle had accumulated before its registration in your region. Through the truck history generated by the VIN, you will learn about the accidents on and off the road. This section will also capture accidents caused by natural disasters such as hail storms, floods, and earthquakes.
If you have questions about the semi-truck history, you should ask your seller for clarification to avoid buying a lemon. Your seller should give honest answers about the semi-truck. The good thing with finding the history yourself is that you will be ahead of them and confirm whether their description is accurate. Thus, while finding the VIN and researching seems like an extra task, it is worth your time.
In addition to its history report benefits, a VIN is also useful for any vehicle owner, especially when they take their car for service or repair by a mechanic. Knowing the VIN will enable you to make sure that your mechanic puts the right parts for your truck’s model. This way, you will accurately track your truck’s history as it awaits future sales.
While a VIN gives you the most details about the semi-truck you are interested in, as a prudent buyer, you should insist on a visual inspection of the vehicle to determine how safe you will be when driving it. This way, you will learn about visible damages and faults such as water damages and negotiate accordingly with the seller to get value for your money.
How Can You Check If Your Semi-Truck Had a Recall?
Just like other products in the market, trucks can have defects from production. When this happens, manufacturers usually recall them. Therefore, how can you check if your semi-truck had a recall?
To check if your semi-truck had a recall, you need a VIN. Vehicles produced from 1980 have a VIN, usually located on the dashboard under the front window. If the truck you are interested in does not have this number, it is probably too old or was not intended for the US market. The code on your truck should match that on the insurance card. If one of the symbols is different, you should contact the police and inform them of this case. This is because it is illegal to own a vehicle with different VIN codes, as it could probably be stolen.
There are several types of defects, including problems with the tire, truck motor, safety equipment, seats, and other equipment of the truck. A truck recall will give you a detailed report of the specific defect that caused the recall, the date and time of recall, the instructions given to the car owner, and the possible results of using the car with the defect still in place.
It is possible to check a semi-truck report at any time and from whichever location using online platforms. A truck recall will guide your purchase decision as you will know whether the semi-truck defect was removed or if it is still in place. If the vehicle was not recalled, you should pay attention to the defect to ensure no problems when you are driving.
On the other hand, if the owner resolved the defect, you can feel safe about the technical specs of the semi-truck if it was done professionally, but it is best to discuss with the owner why they did not respond to the recall.
Wrap Up
Carfax will provide information about your semi-truck, but this information is limited based on what they receive. Therefore, as a prudent buyer, you should take up the initiative to search for the history of the semi-truck you are interested in. To do this, you will need the VIN, which is a special number unique to each vehicle. Using this number, you can search for your truck’s history on various online platforms.
With the VIN, you will learn the semi-truck’s history, enabling you to make a prudent purchase decision. As a seller, this information will enable you to sell the semi-truck at the best price and also gain trust with your buyers. While researching, you should also pay attention to the manufacturer’s recalls of the truck and whether it was resolved to know the level of risks associated with the truck.
Finally, you should exercise due diligence as a buyer by dealing with reputable sellers. You should also request a visual inspection and only pay for a semi-truck if you are satisfied with its physical condition and the Carfax report.
