If you read Part 1 (How I Almost Committed to the Wrong Truck and the Lessons I Learned), you know my first online truck purchase turned into a nightmare…bad brakes, leaking power steering, a rusted exhaust. I was days away from getting stuck with a $5,000 mistake. Thankfully, I was able to utilize Carvana’s test-drive period and return the vehicle. I still needed a truck, but I didn’t want to get burned again.
So how did I make sure my next truck was a winner? I learned to spot the biggest red flags and green flags when buying a car online. Here’s what you need to know so you don’t get burned like I almost did.
Top 3 Red Flags:
Red Flag Number 1: Multiple Owners
If a vehicle has changed hands every year or two, that could be a warning sign that something’s wrong. During my second search I found a cool truck that fit a lot of my specifications, but the last owner only had it for about a month before it was sold again. This didn’t automatically mean something was wrong, but it raised a red flag. Why did the last owner ditch it after just a month?
I was looking for a truck that had, ideally, only one owner. Always check the Carfax report to see how many times a vehicle has been bought and sold.
Red Flag Number 2: Prior Accidents, Even Minor Ones
The first truck I bought had been in a minor accident and was under a recall notice according to the Carfax report. Even a minor accident can hint at deeper issues. Did the previous owner neglect maintenance? Was it patched up cheaply? It doesn’t always mean you shouldn’t buy it, but it is something to keep in mind.
Red Flag Number 3: Body Damage
The damage my first truck had-dented splash guard, some scratches on the side, bent tow hitch-indicated it might have been driven hard and treated poorly. Again, body damage on its own isn’t necessarily a deal breaker, but keep it in mind as part of your overall evaluation.
Now, onto the Top 3 Green Flags!
Green Flag Number 1: A Single Owner
When I found my 2022 Tacoma, I was pleased to see it only had one owner. This truck had not been passed through multiple hands. Single-owner trucks are surprisingly rare, especially used Tacomas. Many have been passed around, so finding one with just one owner was a big deal. It’s more likely in a new vehicle, of course, and it makes sense that a 2022 only had one owner as opposed to the older 2019 I had to return for all of its mechanical issues. But I wanted my next truck to only have one owner, and I’m glad I didn’t compromise on that value.
Green Flag Number 2: Consistent Service Record
This is where the Carfax report can really come in handy. My truck got every oil change done at the dealership. The prior owner brought it in for all of its regular maintenance and mileage-based inspections. In my opinion, this makes it a whole lot more likely that an owner who was getting all of the scheduled maintenance and taking it to the dealership for oil changes was babying this truck, which is what you want when purchasing a used vehicle.
Green Flag Number 3: A Good Inspection Report From a Trusted Mechanic
I brought my second truck to the same mechanic who had diagnosed all the issues with the first one, and he gave it a clean bill of health. “This is a solid purchase,” he told me. “This is a beautiful truck.” Most mechanics will inspect a used vehicle for fee; I paid about $170, and every dollar was worth it.
And this time, I got a winner.
Isn’t she lovely? Isn’t she beautiful?
In the end, patience and a little bit of knowledge helped me find the right truck. Have you ever bought a car online? What red or green flags did you run into? Drop a comment below as I’d love to hear your experiences!
Just Get Outside! 