You can buy a used HGV in the UK from franchised dealers, independent dealers, auctions and online marketplaces, and some fleets sell their old trucks direct.
Dealers usually cost more but often prepare the truck and give you more comeback if something goes wrong, auctions can be cheaper but you buy as seen, and marketplaces give you the widest choice and direct contact with the seller.
Where can I buy a used HGV in the UK?
The main places to buy a used HGV in the UK are dealers, auctions, online marketplaces and fleet operators selling direct. Which one suits you depends on your budget, how much risk you’ll take on condition and how quickly you need the truck.
If you know trucks well, or can bring someone who does, auctions and private sellers can offer better prices. If you’d rather pay more for a prepared truck, with finance and a warranty arranged, a dealer is the simpler route.
Should I buy a used HGV from a dealer?
Buying from a dealer is the lower-risk route, but you’ll usually pay more for it. Many dealers prepare trucks before sale, arrange finance and take part-exchange, and you generally have more comeback if something goes wrong than you would with a private seller.
Franchised dealers sell their own brand’s used trucks, and the major truck makers, Scania included, sell used trucks through their UK dealer networks. Independent dealers stock a mix of makes, often from fleets replacing their vehicles.
Is it cheaper to buy a used HGV at auction?
Auctions can be cheaper, but the hammer price isn’t the whole cost. You’ll usually pay a buyer’s premium on top, you buy as seen with limited chance to inspect or drive the truck, and you’ll need to arrange transport.
Commercial vehicle auctions, both on site and online, sell ex-fleet, ex-lease and repossessed trucks. Read the auction’s terms before you bid, go to the viewing day if there is one, and check which documents come with each lot.
How do online marketplaces for used trucks work?
An online marketplace lists trucks from lots of different sellers in one place, so you can compare like for like and then deal with each seller directly. On The Commercial Trader, you can browse used trucks for sale from sellers across the UK and contact each seller through the listing.
You can narrow the search by body type, Euro rating, cab type, axles, weight, mileage, price and distance from you. That matters when you’re comparing trucks that look alike in photos but suit very different work.
Because you’re dealing with the seller directly, the checks are down to you. Our guide to what to check before buying a used HGV covers the paperwork, the history and the inspection.
Can I buy a used truck direct from a haulier?
Yes. Hauliers and other fleet operators sometimes sell trucks direct when they renew their fleets, and those trucks can come with one operator’s full service records. Fleet disposals also turn up on marketplaces and at auction.
Where can I buy a used tractor unit?
You can buy a used tractor unit from dealers, auctions and marketplaces, including used tractor units on The Commercial Trader. Decide on the axle layout, cab and power you need before you start, because they narrow the field quickly.
A 6×2 tractor unit pulling a tri-axle trailer can run at up to 44 tonnes, while a 4×2 unit suits lighter work. Check the fifth wheel height suits your trailers, whether you need a sleeper cab, and whether you need a power take-off (PTO) for tipping or walking floor trailers.
Where can I buy a used 7.5 tonne truck?
Used 7.5 tonne trucks are sold by dealers, rental and leasing companies replacing their fleets, auctions and marketplaces. They’re popular because they can be driven on a C1 licence, which many drivers who passed their car test before 1997 already have.
Check the plated weight and the payload before you buy. The body, the tail lift and any extras all eat into payload, so two 7.5 tonne trucks can carry very different amounts.
On The Commercial Trader, you can filter trucks by weight, or start with box trucks, a common body on 7.5 tonne trucks.
Where can I buy a used Scania tractor unit?
You can buy a used Scania tractor unit from Scania’s UK dealer network, from independent dealers and auctions, and through marketplaces. On The Commercial Trader, start with used Scania trucks and narrow it down to tractor units.
The same approach works for any make. Compare the same model across a few sellers, and check the Euro rating, axle layout and mileage, because two trucks with the same badge can be very different buys.
What are the best websites for used trucks in the UK?
The best website for used trucks is the one with the right stock near you and the filters to find it quickly. Specialist commercial vehicle marketplaces are built around trucks, so you can search by body, weight, axles, cab and Euro rating instead of scrolling through everything.
The Commercial Trader is a specialist marketplace for commercial vehicles and machinery, with trucks listed by sellers across the UK. General sites such as eBay, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace also carry trucks among everything else they list, and manufacturers’ used truck sites are worth checking if you want one make.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to buy a used HGV at auction?
It can be, but the hammer price isn’t the final cost. Add the buyer’s premium, transport and any repairs, and remember you usually buy as seen with little chance to inspect or test drive.
Do used trucks from dealers come with a warranty?
Some do, but what’s covered and for how long varies from dealer to dealer. Ask whether the warranty covers the engine and gearbox, what the claim limit is, and get it in writing before you buy.
Can I buy a used lorry without an operator’s licence?
Yes, you can buy one without an operator’s licence. You’ll need one to use a goods vehicle over 3,500kg gross plated weight for business, so apply in good time if you don’t already hold one.
What’s the difference between a rigid truck and a tractor unit?
A rigid truck has its body fixed to the chassis, such as a box, curtainsider or tipper. A tractor unit has no body of its own and pulls a separate semi-trailer, coupled with a fifth wheel. You need category C to drive a rigid over 7,500kg and category CE to drive an articulated lorry.
Can I get finance on a used HGV?
Yes. Many dealers arrange finance, and asset finance lenders also fund trucks bought at auction or from private sellers. The lender will look at the truck’s age, value and history, so have the registration and details ready.
