The Used Truck Association has released guidelines to establish the condition of a used truck as agreed to by both the seller and the buyer.

The "UTA Trade Terms & Conditions" are meant to reduce the confusion in the marketplace today, according to UTA board member Marty Crawford of Waters Truck & Tractor, Columbus, Miss. "Our objective in producing these suggested guidelines is so everybody will have a standard to compare and relate to," he said. "Most used truck managers use some sort of trade terms and conditions of their own making, and all are different."
Complicating matters, some trade terms are not very specific. "This frequently causes sellers and buyers to have different expectations of a truck’s turn-in condition," explained Crawford. "Without clear condition terms, both parties can be disappointed at the time a truck is surrendered, and this often leads to disputes."
By way of example, he cited the trade term requirement of "50% rubber." A seller may interpret that to mean the total remaining tread on all tires must be at least 50% of the original amount. In some extreme cases, related Crawford, sellers have taken "50% rubber" to mean half the number of tires, and turned in trucks with tires missing.
A buyer, on the other hand, takes the term to mean each of the truck’s tires must have at least 50% of its tread depth left.
With the "UTA Trade Terms & Conditions," "50% rubber" no longer becomes an issue, said Crawford. The guidelines do away with percentages entirely, and spell out a "minimum 12/32-inch tread depth" and "no irregular tread wear."
Brakes are another common area of confusion. He observed that some trade terms require 9/32-inch remaining brake lining, yet it’s not easy to measure brake linings. What’s more, a brake drum can be worn to the point that a 9/32-inch lining would not be visible.
"Our Trade Terms require ‘50% visible brake lining,’ which requires both good brake linings and good brake drums," he pointed out.
The UTA conditions definitions "are specific and detailed, leaving nothing to misinterpretation," said UTA director David A. Kolman of Truck Sales & Leasing magazine. "If each party abides by these guidelines, and follows the sequential process, there should be no surprises. The information will be particularly useful to those buying and selling trucks outside their area or across the country."
The guidelines cover engines, drivetrains, brakes, tires, frame, cabs, sleepers and bodies. They also take into consideration de-identification, safety inspections and fleet trades.
Additionally, the guidelines lay out a step-by-step approach for how the appraisal process should be handled, including the necessary paperwork and documents.
For a free copy of the "UTA Trade Terms & Conditions," visit the UTA’s website at www.uta.org.