For many individuals buying a car is considered one of the biggest decisions they will have to make in their lifetime. Imagine the degree of complexity involved for businesses when purchasing a truck or a fleet of trucks for their growth and operations. From light-duty to heavy-duty trucks, tippers etc., there are plenty of options to choose from to suit your business needs. They must also keep in mind the after-sales service of the vehicle, including the financing and lease options.
Below-mentioned is things to keep in mind when buying a truck:
What is the purpose of the truck?
Before you purchase the truck, you must determine its purpose. Is it for transportation of perishable goods and cargo? Or for long-haul shuttling. Not all trucks are the same, they are for different purposes, and as a business, you must identify that before making a well-informed decision.
How many loads are you looking to transport?
After you identify the use for the truck, the next step is to determine how much cargo are you looking to transport. When making this decision, you must bear in mind the safety issues, the maximum load that can be transported, and the impact it can have on the vehicle. Adding cargo above and beyond the limit can result in frequent wear and tear of parts, resulting in higher maintenance costs.
After Sales Service
An important component to remember before making a purchase. The dealership you may potentially buy the commercial vehicle from must have reliable and consistent after-sales service. The breakdown of your truck can lead to a loss in revenue. To avoid this, having a dealership that prides itself on its after-sales service is a bonus.
The size of the engine
When purchasing a truck, businesses need to take into account the size of the vehicle’s engine. If you’re looking to make short-haul commutes, then a 4-cylinder engine is perfect for getting the job done. However, if you are looking to transport heavy cargo, or make long-haul commutes, then trucks with 5, 6 and 8-cylinder engines are the preferred choices. Keep in mind, the size of the engine will determine its usage.
Size of the cabin
Commercial vehicles, including trucks, are generally used for long-haul trips and transporting a sizeable load. Before you make a well-informed purchase, you must consider the cabin size of the vehicle. A 2-door drive can comfortably seat two or three adults. You also must keep in mind the length of the bed in the cabin. Sizes generally range from 5 feet up to 8 feet.
Check all the safety features of the truck
Almost every truck has basic safety features like seatbelts and front airbags. Before making a purchase, you must thoroughly review all the necessary safety gears to protect your driver, the vehicle and the cargo in the unfortunate event of an accident. You must go through all the safety standard guidelines and the regulatory compliances.
Identifying the right dealership
When buying a truck or a fleet of trucks, you must identify the right dealer that suits your business needs. The dealership must have dedicated representatives that can cater to your queries quickly and efficiently. A committed department makes all the difference between a reliable dealership and a mediocre dealership. They will guide on the financing options, the various models etc., making it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to make a more well-informed decision when buying a truck.
Be aware of all your financing options
The crucial component when purchasing a truck is the financing options of the vehicle. Purchase by cash, purchase by partial payment, credit purchase, or a business contract hire are some of the various finance options to consider. It is vital to narrow down the dealership or check with the lending institution if there are any pre-approved vehicle financing choices available. The smart decision is to increase the flexibility of your business and decrease the cost.
Take the truck for a test drive
With a wide range of truck alternatives available for purchase, you should do your necessary due diligence and request the dealership for a test drive. Through the test drive, you can examine the wheels, brakes, gears, as well as its manoeuvrability by driving it through turns and curves. For ultra-modern trucks in today’s day and age, you can check the advanced and automated features of the vehicle.
Regular Maintenance Required
If you don’t maintain your truck regularly, it can become a liability rather than an asset. Whichever model or make of truck you buy for your business; you must ensure that regular servicing can lead to lower maintenance costs. Hence, identify a dealership that not only has a dedicated technical support team but also keeps you updated on your next truck service.
When it comes to truck trailer financing in Mississauga, you keep the above-mentioned in mind before purchase. The truck you purchase for your business must be easy to maintain, compliant with all the regulations, has good resale value, and be smooth to drive on the road.