What mechanical records should I request for a food truck’s engine and chassis?

Begin with paperwork. Ask for oil and filter changes, brake work, tire replacements, transmission service and any major repair. Look for gaps and for repeated visits for the same problem. Ask for records of any conversion work done when the truck was fitted out, as extra weight changes how a vehicle wears.

Check ownership and any loan against the vehicle. Ask whether there have been accidents, and request the claim records. Your lawyer can confirm that the seller can transfer clear ownership.

Then bring in an independent mechanic, not one suggested by the seller. Ask for a written report on the engine, drivetrain, brakes, suspension, frame, rust and electrical connections to the kitchen equipment. Ask what the report says about expected repairs and how soon. Use it to plan your first period of spending. Ask the seller how the truck behaves on a long, hot day, as well as on a short trip. Add a road test. Drive it loaded if you can, listen for noises, feel the steering and braking, and watch gauges. Ask the seller what happens in cold weather or after a long idle, which is when some problems show up.

Key takeaways

• Collect service, repair, accident and ownership records for the vehicle.
• Hire an independent mechanic and get a written inspection report.
• Plan for near-term repairs the report identifies.
• Take a road test with the truck loaded, if the seller agrees.