New, used or refurbished truck: which should you choose?

When buying a truck, the first question is almost always the budget. New, used or refurbished: each option has its advantages, but also costs that do not appear on the price tag. Here is how to compare all three honestly.

The real budget: total cost, not purchase price

To compare two trucks, you need to add up everything they will cost you before they earn anything:

• the purchase price of the vehicle;
• sea freight and insurance to your port;
• customs duties, VAT and clearance fees;
• registration and commissioning;
• then, every month: fuel, tyres, maintenance, parts and the days lost when the truck is in the workshop.

A truck that is cheaper to buy but often off the road can end up costing more than a new one. This overall calculation is what matters, not just a comparison of purchase prices.

The new truck: paying more to know what you are buying

The main advantage of a new truck is that there are no surprises. It has no hidden history, no tampered mileage, no engine or gearbox wear. You also choose the exact configuration your business needs: number of axles, power, body volume, cab.

A new truck can also make financing easier. In 2013, a Nigerian dealer of Sinotruk trucks told the newspaper BusinessDay that many banks refused to finance used trucks, and that new Chinese trucks were selling at prices close to those of imported used ones. This is a seller's point of view, and the situation varies from one bank and one country to another: ask your bank before deciding.

The drawbacks are well known: a higher initial investment and production and shipping lead times to plan for.

Used trucks: cheaper upfront, more risk

A used truck costs less and may be available sooner. But you are also buying its past: maintenance that may or may not have been serious, possible accidents, real mileage that is sometimes unknown, engine, gearbox or chassis wear that cannot be seen in a photo. For older models, some parts can also become hard to find.

Also watch out for regulations, which vary from country to country:

• Côte d'Ivoire: since 1 July 2018, decree no. 2017-792 prohibits importing trucks over 5 tonnes that are more than 10 years old (7 years for vehicles up to 5 tonnes).
• Ghana: the 2020 law amending the customs code (Act 1014) prohibits importing accident-damaged vehicles. A ban on vehicles over 10 years old is provided for, but depends on an implementing instrument.
• Togo: we found no age limit on imports. However, the Togolese Revenue Office (OTR) applies depreciation rules to the customs value according to the vehicle's age, and these change from year to year.

These rules change regularly: always check the current situation with your freight forwarder before buying.

Refurbished: a word that guarantees nothing on its own

There is no single definition of "refurbished". Depending on the seller, it can mean anything from a simple coat of paint to a complete engine overhaul. Before paying more than for an ordinary used truck, ask for:

• a written list of the parts replaced and the work carried out;
• the corresponding invoices;
• photos and a video of the truck running;
• a written warranty, if the seller offers one.

Without these, treat the truck as an ordinary used vehicle.

So, which should you choose?

• Rather new if the truck will work every day, if a breakdown would cost you a contract, or if you need bank financing.
• Rather used if your budget is tight, if use is occasional, if a trusted mechanic can inspect the truck before purchase and if your country allows its age.
• Refurbished only if the work is documented and verifiable.

At ChinaTrucksAfrica, our catalogue consists of new trucks at factory prices; used trucks are available on request. In all cases, we give you a detailed quote that separates the truck price, freight and insurance, so you can do your calculation with full knowledge of the facts.