You may have already heard that there has been a boom in the used car market recently. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing people to spend more time at home, demand for new cars has plummeted, so automakers have cut new car production. Then the demand for cars increased as people resumed normal life; unfortunately, at that time, manufacturers could no longer keep up. That’s when we found ourselves in a position where a good used car is king. And the most popular used cars are trucks.

It has been reported that the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 were among the top selling used vehicles over the past 5 years. This might surprise some, as used trucks typically cost a pretty penny more than, say, a sedan or coupe. When you think of a used car buyer, you think of someone trying to save money. Still, consumers seem ready and willing to pay a little extra to get their hands on a used pickup. There must be something in there, so I researched why people like used trucks.

Trucks last longer than other cars

Trucks have a reputation for not only going miles and miles longer than other cars, but also staying in good shape while they’re in it. A Chevy Silverado 1500, for example, is known to go over 200,000 miles and well into the 100,000 mile mark before facing mechanical issues. So even though used trucks can cost a lot more than cheap used sedans, the value they offer far outweighs the extra dollars they cost. Buyers who don’t want to be on the hunt for another car in a few years due to unforeseen problems are better off getting a truck than most other used vehicles.

Parts are sturdy

Another reason why used trucks are so sought after is directly related to their higher purchase price: they have robust parts. It’s no secret that people ask a lot of their trucks. Between hauling, towing and off-roading, trucks have to do things the average car doesn’t. For this reason, they are usually built with extremely durable parts, and these parts are quite expensive.
But it’s these same parts that allow used truckers to enjoy many trouble-free miles in their vehicles. Truck buyers aren’t just buying the chassis; they also buy the valuable inner workings of these mighty machines.

They hold their value

The search found that pickup trucks have the lowest depreciation rate of any vehicle class. While many passenger vehicles experience a five-year depreciation rate of nearly 52% and SUVs experience a five-year depreciation rate of 54.1%, the average pickup truck only depreciates by 41.3 % over five years. That’s a difference of over 13% compared to SUVs, and those numbers can mean a lot of money for dealers. Anyone who buys a used truck today knows that one day they will be the one selling that car. It’s worth paying a little more for an investment that promises higher returns in the end.

Save money on moving and shipping

Having a van can save you quite a bit of money in several situations. Let’s take moving, for one thing. If you’re moving from one modest-sized home to another, you might get away with a DIY move if you have a van. This can be especially true if you’re moving between homes in the same city; just take a few trips with your pickup.

Moving is an unlikely task for those with smaller or less loaded vehicles. Overall, if you need to tow, haul, or move large items on a regular basis, having a pickup truck can save you money since you won’t need to hire a professional or rent another car to do it.

Power you can feel

Many drivers enjoy the power they can feel when getting behind the wheel of a pickup truck. It’s more of a je ne sais quoi of buying a car. Most drivers worry that when testing a used car it might feel underpowered. The “usefulness” of it will become obvious.

That’s just not the case with a powerful pickup truck. Even those that have been on the road for years feel rugged and ready to work, provided they are well maintained.

Take the family campsite

In recent years, largely due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, outdoor activities like camping, mountain biking, kayaking, mountain biking, and other similar challenging hobbies have become more popular. Stay-at-home orders have prompted people to turn to the great outdoors for more enjoyment, and the reluctance to visit hotels or other rentals has driven many to campsites. The popularity of these outings seems to have lasted, leaving many with the dilemma of how to tow our RV or transport our ATVs? And those kayaks?

A van is not only an ideal vehicle for long road trips or city driving. A good van is synonymous with freedom. It opens up those weekend possibilities for a spontaneous night under the stars. Of course, used trucks cost more than other vehicles, but there are also plenty of savings to be had if you seek them out. If camping calls, a standard sedan won’t be able to haul your RV, but a truck will properly outfit you for outdoor fun.

Brands you can trust

If you remember the best-selling used cars I listed earlier, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the Ford F-150 and the RAM 1500, you will notice that these are historic American brands. Each of these manufacturers has over 100 years of experience producing vehicles that America loves. And these brands are also synonymous with truck.

Looking for a great used car, buyers want a name they can trust. When people want the best brands, they also want the models they do best. Add it all up and you’ll find that pickup trucks are incredibly popular in the used car market.

Used trucks are well worth the cost

Savvy buyers know to look beyond just price and prioritize more than the lowest priced vehicle. All cars, new, used or certified pre-owned, depreciate and can experience mechanical problems. However, concerns arise when looking at a used car. So when buyers want the discount that comes with buying used with the peace of mind that comes with buying new, that happy medium exists in a used pickup truck.

While pickup trucks tend to be more expensive than other body styles like sedans and crossovers, even when in use their parts are much more durable and they are historically more reliable than other car categories. Forward-looking buyers understand that it’s worth paying a little more now and saving money on repairs later, repairs that happen all too often on cheap used cars.

Consumers also know there’s value in buying a used car that can be resold for a decent price down the line. It’s a truck. Plus, who doesn’t love it when a truck gains a few battle scars, like dings, scrapes, and mud-stained interiors? The trucks age gracefully, demonstrating the hard work they have done for their owners.