Buying a used tow truck:
the checklist.

Take it to the lot. A careful hour now saves a costly surprise later.

Reviewed September 2026.

Before you look

Know the work the truck is for, and which type fits it.
Check the chassis weight rating: 26,001 lb or more generally takes a commercial driver’s license to drive.
Set a budget that includes equipment, registration, insurance and a repair reserve, not just the price.
Get an insurance quote for the specific truck before you commit.

Paperwork

The title is in the seller’s name, and its status (clean, rebuilt or salvage) is what you were told.
The VIN on the title matches the chassis plate and the frame.
A lien search shows nothing owed, or the payoff is handled at the sale.
The body’s data plate shows the manufacturer, model, serial number and rated capacities.
Service records exist for both the chassis and the body, including hydraulic and winch work.
Open safety recalls for the chassis are checked by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Chassis

Cold start: no hard starting, heavy smoke or warning lights.
Engine and transmission: no leaks, slipping or harsh shifts on a test drive.
Brakes, including the air system on air-braked trucks.
Tires: tread depth, even wear and age codes.
Frame, crossmembers and body mounts: no cracks, heavy rust or weld repairs.
Engine hours as well as miles: a truck that idles on scenes wears faster than its odometer shows.
Exhaust aftertreatment on newer diesels works without warnings.

Body and equipment: operate everything

Run every function through its full travel: bed tilt and slide, wheel-lift, boom, extension, winches and outriggers.
Listen for pump noise and watch for jerky movement or drift.
Cylinders, hoses and fittings: no leaks after running.
Deck, boom and wheel-lift structure: no cracks, bends or weld repairs.
Winch cables, hooks and drums: no kinks, broken strands or worn hooks.
Every control station works, including any wireless remote.
Lights, light bar and electrical work at the back of the truck.

Price and paperwork at the sale

Compare the asking price with current asking prices for the type, and with an estimate for this truck.
Have an independent mechanic, and a body specialist for heavy equipment, inspect it before you pay.
Negotiate on what the inspection finds, in writing.
Insurance is in place before the truck moves, and registration follows your state’s rules.

Check the price

Used tow truck prices by type · Estimate this truck · Which truck for which work

Each market segment page also lists what to inspect for that kind of equipment.

General information for tow truck owners, not legal, tax, insurance or financial advice. Rules vary by state, county and city; confirm what applies to you with the agency or a qualified professional.

Buying a used tow truck:the checklist.