There are a few things that have to be kept in mind when you are buying a used truck.
The first point
First of all, you should inspect the truck during the day and the day only. You should keep in mind that during the evening, even if the place is really well lit, it would still be possible for defects and issues to be hidden away. Also, when you are checking the fluids you should be on level ground.
The second point
You should always check the body panel joint and the opening for fit. You can also run your hand along the bottom part of the doors and check if there are any rusty edges as such.
If you want to be certain when you buy a used truck you should consider a Used Truck Dealer in KC. You should also check the panels as well as the body to the front from the back. In case, it seems that they are not even, you can use a magnet in order to check them. If you see that there are any raised spots on the roof it would imply that there is rusting below it. If you really wish to buy such a vehicle it would need a lot more intense inspection on your behalf.
The third point
You need to raise the hood. When you do it you would need to remove the radiator cap and then check the fluid that is being used as the coolant. Quite often, this liquid would be green. If the color seems to be wrong then it would seem that the engine is overheating. These days, there is a tester, which is pretty cheap and you can invest in it as well. In case, you are thinking of buying a truck that has an automatic transmission, you would need to verify it with the transmission dipstick.
You can always trust a Kansas City Used Truck Dealer. In case the stick smells as if it has been burnt you should not buy that vehicle. A burnt smell means that the vehicle is facing issues with transmission.
It is also important that you check the air filter to see if it is highly dirty or not. If you find a lot of grease or oil on it, it would indicate that proper care was not taken off the air filter.
The fourth point
You need to check the engine as well. The two things that you need to check for in this regard are thuds and knocks. Such a sound would indicate that the crankshaft is bad and there is a rod bearing that is playing a connecting role in this regard. Both these things are bad because they would cost you a lot of money to repair. It is also important that the truck you are buying has a high idle setting. If you see that the idle is not right you should get a mechanic of some repute to check it. Also, do check the switches as well as the additional elements such as lights and air.