Three Questions to Ask About Utility Vehicle Repairs

Trying to decide whether you should repair or replace your heavy-duty utility vehicle? The decision to invest in full replacement or in further utility vehicle repairs depends on the vehicle’s current condition and service history. Here are three important questions to ask regarding heavy equipment repairs so you’ll be able to make a confident repair-or-replace decision.

Why were repairs made?

Any vehicle, from the family car to heavy-duty equipment, requires some amount of routine and preventative maintenance. In the case of utility vehicles, oil changes and mechanical adjustments are regular necessities, as is more frequent lubrication than you’d have with other vehicles.

As you’re making the decision to buy new or to invest in heavy equipment repairs, get a thorough picture of the vehicle’s maintenance history. You’ll be able to discover whether the vehicle’s been out of service for an extended period of time due to routine maintenance or something more problematic like accidents or malfunctions. Just like with average cars, utility vehicle accidents can cause ongoing problems that are usually high-cost and inconvenient.

What was the quality of repair?

While you’re examining the vehicle’s history of maintenance and repairs, be sure to inspect the record of the technicians who have worked on the vehicle. Skill level and experience of heavy-duty mechanics is much more important than with those who work on the average car, since there’s more intricate components involved in heavy-duty vehicles.

As long as repairs were made by a reputable service provider, you can feel confident in them. It’s likely economically practical to invest in repairs rather than complete replacement if you can trust the overall quality of work performed in the past.

What are the repair trends for the vehicle?

Analyze the trend of repairs for the vehicle. Pay attention to repair frequency and whether more repairs have been required over time. If you notice any ongoing issues, there may be major problems with one set of components of the vehicle. Look at the downtime required for each repair, since the time your vehicle spends in the shop is time that it can’t be on the road making you money.

Consult a reputable heavy-duty vehicle mechanic to get a better idea of what to expect with your vehicle, and take a more thorough look at the service history of other vehicles with similar models and years. There can be a trend of specific breakdowns and required repairs in certain models, which means it’s probably a good idea to invest in a new rig rather than wait for inevitable repairs.

There’s a big difference between the cost of making utility vehicle repairs and investing in complete replacement. In some cases, it can be the right move to buy brand-new if the vehicle is truly at the end of its useful lifespan. It’s always smart to get a professional opinion before making a final decision. Reach out to the team at Bailey Heavy Equipment Repair, Inc. today to explore your options and discover if repairs are the right choice for your equipment.