Best Used Truck Years to Buy: All Brands Guide
Knowing the best used truck years to buy can save you thousands of dollars and a lot of headaches. Not every model year is equal. Redesign years introduce new problems. High-demand years push prices up. Certain powertrain generations hold up far better than others. At McFarland Chevrolet in Maysville, KY, we sell and service used trucks from all major brands. We see what holds up and what does not. This guide covers the best model years to target across Chevy, Ford, Ram, and Toyota so you can shop with a clear picture of what you are looking at.
How to Think About Used Truck Model Years
Before brand-specific recommendations, here are the general rules that apply across every used truck purchase.
Avoid the first and second year of a new generation. Every time a manufacturer releases a redesigned truck, the first model years of that generation tend to carry more issues than later years. New platforms introduce new problems that take a few years of production to iron out. The third year and beyond of any generation is generally where the platform matures and reliability improves.
Look at the end of a generation. The final years of a truck generation before a redesign are often the most refined versions of that platform. Manufacturers have had years to work out the issues and the trucks reflect that.
High mileage is not automatically a problem. A well-maintained truck with 120,000 miles and a clean service history is a better buy than a low-mileage truck with no records and signs of neglect. Mileage is a data point, not a verdict.
Generation jumps create value opportunities. When a truck gets a major redesign, the previous generation often drops in price even though the trucks themselves are still highly capable. That price gap is where used buyers find value.
Best Used Chevy Silverado 1500 Years to Buy
The Silverado has been through three significant generations in the past decade. Here is how to navigate them.
2020 to 2022 (T1XX, 4th Gen): Best Overall Value. These are the years we see the most demand for in our used inventory, and for good reason. The 2019 redesign introduced the T1XX platform, which was a significant jump in technology, interior quality, and capability over the previous generation. The 2020 to 2022 model years represent the platform after its first-year teething issues had been addressed. You get the large infotainment screen introduced in the 2022 update on the 2022 specifically, making that year a particularly strong target. The 5.3L V8 in this generation is proven and durable. The 3.0L Duramax diesel option in this generation is one of the best half-ton diesel engines available.
2016 to 2018 (K2XX, 3rd Gen Final Years): Strong Budget Option. The final years of the previous generation before the 2019 redesign. These trucks benefit from years of platform refinement. The 5.3L V8 in this generation has a documented track record of durability. They sell for less than the current generation which makes them a practical choice for buyers who need capability at a lower price point. Avoid the 8-speed transmission issues that appeared in some 2015-2016 examples and verify transmission service history.
Silverado longevity in this area is well documented. Caleb McFarland, who runs our purchasing and operations, has driven a 2006 Silverado 2500 Duramax since he was a teenager and it is still his daily driver. Owner reports of 300,000 to 500,000 miles of reliable service on well-maintained Silverados are not unusual. The truck you buy in the right year, maintained correctly, is a multi-decade purchase.
Best Used Ford F-150 Years to Buy
The F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in America and the used market reflects that with strong supply across multiple generations.
2018 to 2020 (13th Gen, Pre-Powerstroke Update): Strong Target. The 13th generation F-150 that ran from 2015 to 2020 is a proven, capable platform. The 2018 to 2020 model years represent the mature end of that generation. The 2.7L and 5.0L engines in this range have solid reliability records. The 3.5L EcoBoost is popular but verify that the timing chain service has been kept current, as neglected timing chain maintenance is the most common issue in that engine at higher mileage.
2022 to 2023 (14th Gen, Post-Refresh): Capable but Verify. The 14th generation F-150 that debuted in 2021 introduced a major interior overhaul and the optional Pro Power Onboard generator. Early 2021 examples had a higher rate of reported issues. The 2022 and 2023 model years are more settled. The new interior technology is impressive. Verify the transmission and hybrid system if buying a PowerBoost hybrid example.
The F-150 has strong supply in the used market across every generation, which gives buyers more options and more room to compare prices before committing.
Best Used Ram 1500 Years to Buy
The Ram 1500 has a well-regarded interior and a smooth coil-spring rear suspension that makes it one of the most comfortable half-tons to ride in. The used market has some strong targets and some years to avoid.
2019 to 2021 (5th Gen DT, Post-Launch): Strong Target. The 5th generation Ram debuted in 2019 with a major interior upgrade and the eTorque mild hybrid system. The 2019 first year had some early reported issues. The 2020 and 2021 examples are more settled. The 5.7L Hemi in this generation is a capable, proven engine. The eTorque system, which is a mild hybrid belt starter-generator, is generally reliable but worth verifying service history on.
Years to approach carefully: Certain model years of the Ram 1500 have documented transmission and electrical issues in owner reports. Research the specific year and configuration before buying and pull a vehicle history report on any Ram you are seriously considering. This applies to all brands but Ram specifically has had year-to-year variation that makes model year selection more important than it is on the Silverado or F-150.
Best Used Toyota Tundra Years to Buy
The Tundra’s reputation for long-term reliability is deserved. It holds up over time with consistent maintenance and resale values reflect that.
2014 to 2021 (2nd Gen, Mature Years): Reliable Budget Option. The second generation Tundra ran from 2007 to 2021 with periodic updates throughout. The 2014 and newer examples got significant refresh updates. The 5.7L V8 in this generation is one of the most reliable full-size truck engines on the market. It does not produce the towing numbers of a comparably priced Silverado with the 6.2L, but it runs for a very long time with basic maintenance.
2022 and newer (3rd Gen): Capable, Higher Price. The third generation Tundra with the twin-turbo V6 is a capable, modern truck. It is newer and priced accordingly in the used market. If Tundra reliability is the priority and budget allows, the 2022 and newer examples are worth considering. Early powertrain reliability data is still being established on this generation.
What to Check on Any Used Truck Before You Buy
Brand and model year recommendations only go so far. The condition and history of the specific truck you are buying matters more than the general reputation of that year.
Service records: Ask for them. Oil change intervals, transmission service, brake work, any repairs. A truck with documentation is worth more and easier to appraise accurately than one without.
Tow history: A truck that has been towed heavily on a regular basis shows wear differently than a personal vehicle. Ask how the truck was used.
Vehicle history report: Pull a Carfax or AutoCheck report on any used truck you are seriously considering. Accidents, flood damage, and salvage titles all show up and all significantly affect value and long-term reliability.
Pre-purchase inspection: If you are buying from a private seller, have the truck inspected by a certified technician before you finalize the deal. The cost of an inspection is small compared to what a surprise repair can run on a used truck.
Frame and underbody: Especially on older trucks that have spent winters in northern states, look for rust on the frame, cross members, and suspension components. Surface rust is normal. Structural rust is a deal-breaker.
How McFarland Sources and Prepares Used Trucks
Every used truck we put on our lot at McFarland Chevrolet is hand-selected and inspected before it goes up for sale. Caleb McFarland personally vets our used inventory. Used trucks come from lease turn-ins, auctions, and trades. Not every truck that comes in makes it onto the lot. We are selective because our name is on every vehicle we sell.
Our most-requested used truck right now is the 2020 to 2022 Silverado LT and RST. That generation represents an accessible price point with a significant technology and quality jump from trucks from a few years earlier. If you know someone who traded in a well-maintained truck from that generation, the value they get from that truck is real.
We are also ASE certified to service all makes. If you buy a used F-150, Ram, or Tundra and want it serviced by certified technicians who know what they are doing, we can handle it. Every oil change includes a tire rotation, all fluid checks, and a complimentary car wash. We are open Saturdays, which most dealers in this area are not.
If you are trading in your current truck toward a used purchase, our trade-in guide covers what affects your appraisal and how to maximize what you get before you come in.
Ready for Your Next Step?
Browse Our Used Truck Inventory
See our current used Silverado inventory at McFarland Chevrolet. Call us at (606) 564-6181.
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