Second Hand Food Trucks: What to Look for Before You Buy
Buying a food truck can be an exciting way to start or expand a mobile food business. Whether you’re planning to sell burgers, coffee, baked goods, pizza, desserts or specialty foods, a mobile setup can give you the flexibility to trade at markets, events, festivals and different locations.
However, a brand-new food truck can represent a substantial investment. For many Australian operators, buying a second hand food truck provides a more affordable way to get started.
The key is knowing what to look for.
A used food truck that has been properly maintained and fitted with suitable commercial equipment can offer excellent value. On the other hand, buying solely on price without inspecting the vehicle, equipment and layout could leave you facing unexpected repair or replacement costs.
This guide covers the most important things to check when considering a second hand food truck.
1. Start With the Type of Food You Plan to Sell
Before looking at individual trucks, clearly define your menu.
The right food truck for a coffee business will be very different from one designed for pizzas, burgers or baked goods. Your menu determines the equipment, refrigeration, preparation space, ventilation and storage you'll require.
Consider:
What will you cook or prepare inside the truck?
How many customers do you expect to serve during peak periods?
How many people will work inside?
How much refrigeration and freezer capacity will you need?
Will you require an oven, fryer, grill, mixer or other specialised equipment?
How much dry storage will you need?
Buying a truck that already suits your intended operation can substantially reduce the amount you need to spend modifying it.
2. Check the Overall Condition of the Vehicle
Remember that you're purchasing both a commercial kitchen and a vehicle.
A beautifully equipped kitchen isn't much use if the vehicle itself requires thousands of dollars in mechanical repairs.
Inspect the vehicle's service history where available and check its general mechanical condition. Look at the engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, steering, tyres and electrical systems.
Pay particular attention to signs of corrosion, water leaks or structural damage.
If you're not confident assessing the mechanical condition yourself, consider arranging an independent inspection by a qualified mechanic before purchasing.
The additional cost of an inspection can be insignificant compared with discovering a major mechanical problem after completing the purchase.
3. Inspect the Commercial Kitchen Equipment
One of the biggest advantages of buying a second hand food truck is that it may already contain much of the commercial kitchen equipment you require.
However, don't simply assume everything works.
Check each major appliance individually.
Depending on the food truck, equipment might include:
Commercial ovens
Grills and hotplates
Fryers
Refrigerators
Freezers
Display refrigeration
Mixers
Preparation benches
Sinks
Coffee machines
Extraction systems
Storage racks and shelving
Ask whether the equipment can be demonstrated in operation.
Look for excessive wear, corrosion, damaged controls, unusual noises, broken seals and other signs that repairs may soon be required.
At Bake Equipment, we specialise in used bakery and catering equipment for Australian businesses, with equipment ranging from mixers and ovens to refrigeration, benches, racks and other commercial kitchen essentials.
4. Look Carefully at the Kitchen Layout
Space is extremely valuable inside a food truck.
An efficient layout allows staff to prepare and serve food quickly without constantly getting in each other's way.
Imagine working through a typical order from beginning to end.
Where are ingredients stored? Where is the food prepared? Where is it cooked? Where is the finished product assembled? How does it reach the customer?
Frequently used equipment should be positioned logically, with sufficient preparation space between key areas.
A poorly planned layout can slow service considerably during busy periods.
Also consider whether the truck provides enough room for your intended number of staff. Something that feels comfortable with one person inside can quickly become cramped with three people preparing orders simultaneously.
5. Check Refrigeration Carefully
Reliable refrigeration is essential for many mobile food businesses.
Check the age and condition of existing refrigerators and freezers and confirm that they can maintain suitable temperatures.
Inspect:
Door seals
Hinges
Thermostats and controls
Compressors
Interior surfaces
Shelving
Drainage
General cleanliness
Replacing commercial refrigeration can significantly increase your startup costs, so its condition should be factored into the purchase price.
Also consider capacity. A refrigerator may work perfectly but still be unsuitable if it can't hold enough ingredients for a busy day's trading.
6. Examine the Electrical System
Commercial cooking and refrigeration equipment can place considerable demands on an electrical system.
Find out how the truck is powered.
Does it use mains electricity, a generator, batteries or a combination of systems?
Determine what equipment can operate simultaneously and whether the available electrical capacity is suitable for your planned setup.
If you intend to install additional appliances after purchasing the truck, check their electrical requirements before making modifications.
Electrical work in a commercial food vehicle should be assessed and completed by appropriately qualified professionals.
7. Check Gas Appliances and Connections
If the food truck uses LPG or other gas-powered appliances, their condition and installation deserve particular attention.
Don't assume that an existing gas system automatically meets the requirements that will apply to your business.
Have gas equipment, connections, cylinders and associated installations checked by an appropriately licensed professional where required.
Safety should always take priority over saving money on modifications.
8. Inspect Ventilation and Extraction
Cooking produces heat, steam, grease and smoke, particularly when using grills, fryers and ovens.
A suitable commercial extraction system can therefore be one of the most important parts of a food truck.
Check the condition of extraction hoods, fans, filters and ducting.
Think about whether the existing ventilation setup is appropriate for the cooking equipment you intend to use.
Good ventilation doesn't just contribute to compliance and cleanliness. It also creates a much more comfortable working environment for staff operating inside a confined space.
9. Look at Water and Waste Systems
A food truck generally needs suitable facilities for fresh water, hand washing, cleaning and wastewater.
Inspect the water tanks, pumps, plumbing, sinks and wastewater storage.
Check for:
Leaks
Corrosion
Damaged plumbing
Poor drainage
Inadequate tank capacity
Difficult-to-clean areas
Ask how much fresh water the truck can carry and compare that capacity with your expected daily usage.
10. Consider Food Safety and Cleaning
A second hand food truck should be relatively straightforward to keep clean.
Inspect walls, floors, benches, shelving and corners carefully. Stainless steel surfaces are widely used in commercial kitchens because they're durable and relatively easy to clean.
Watch for cracked surfaces, damaged flooring, inaccessible gaps and areas where grease or food debris can accumulate.
It's also important to investigate the food-business, vehicle and local authority requirements that apply to where you intend to operate. Requirements can vary depending on your location and type of operation, so check with the relevant authorities before committing to a purchase.
11. Calculate the Real Cost — Not Just the Purchase Price
A cheap food truck isn't necessarily a bargain.
Instead of considering only the advertised price, calculate what you'll need to spend before the truck is ready to operate.
Your budget might need to include:
Mechanical repairs
New tyres
Appliance repairs or replacement
Refrigeration upgrades
Electrical work
Gas work
Plumbing modifications
Extraction improvements
Additional commercial kitchen equipment
Signage and branding
Registration and insurance
Required approvals or inspections
For example, paying more for a well-equipped second hand food truck could ultimately cost less than purchasing a cheaper vehicle that requires extensive modifications.
12. Check Whether Replacement Equipment Is Available
Commercial appliances work hard, and eventually something will need repairing or replacing.
Before purchasing a truck containing older equipment, investigate the appliance brands and models where possible.
Can replacement components still be obtained? Can the equipment be serviced locally? Would it be economical to replace if necessary?
This is particularly important for major pieces of equipment that your entire operation depends on.
If you do need replacement equipment, buying quality used commercial kitchen equipment can help control the cost of upgrading your truck.
Questions to Ask Before Buying a Second Hand Food Truck
Before making an offer, ask the seller as many questions as possible about the truck's history.
How old is the food truck?
The age itself isn't necessarily a problem. Maintenance history, kilometres travelled, kitchen condition and the quality of previous modifications may be more important than age alone.
Why is the food truck being sold?
There are many perfectly legitimate reasons for selling, including retirement, changing businesses or upgrading to another vehicle. Nevertheless, it's a useful question because the answer may provide additional information about the truck.
Does all the kitchen equipment work?
Ask the seller to demonstrate major appliances wherever practical rather than relying solely on verbal confirmation.
Is there a service history?
Service records can help you understand how well the vehicle and its equipment have been maintained.
What equipment is included in the sale?
Never assume everything visible in photographs is included. Request a clear list of the appliances, fixtures and accessories being sold with the vehicle.
How much power does the truck have available?
Check the electrical supply and determine whether it can support all the equipment you'll need to operate simultaneously.
What are the water tank capacities?
Confirm both fresh-water and wastewater capacities and consider whether they're sufficient for your planned trading periods.
Has the truck previously been approved as a mobile food business?
This can provide useful background information, but previous approval doesn't necessarily mean the vehicle will meet every requirement for your proposed operation or location. Confirm current requirements with the relevant authorities.
Can I have the truck independently inspected?
A seller should generally understand why a serious buyer wants an independent mechanical or professional inspection before making a significant investment.
Will I need to replace any equipment immediately?
Identify upcoming expenses before negotiating the purchase price. An inexpensive truck requiring an oven, refrigerator and electrical upgrade may quickly become a costly project.
Is Buying a Second Hand Food Truck Worth It?
For many businesses, absolutely.
A carefully selected used food truck can provide a lower-cost route into mobile food service while potentially giving you commercial equipment, preparation areas, storage and other infrastructure from day one.
The important word is carefully.
Evaluate the vehicle and kitchen separately, test the equipment, assess the layout and determine the total cost required to make the truck suitable for your business.
Taking the time to inspect before you buy can help you find a food truck that supports your business rather than becoming an expensive repair project.
Find Second Hand Food Trucks and Commercial Kitchen Equipment
Setting up a mobile food business doesn't necessarily mean purchasing everything brand new.
Bake Equipment specialises in quality used bakery and catering equipment and helps bakeries, cafés, food manufacturers and commercial kitchens reduce the cost of essential equipment.
Whether you're searching for a second hand food truck or need ovens, mixers, refrigeration, benches, racks, trays and other equipment to complete your mobile kitchen, it's worth checking what's currently available.
Bake Equipment is based in Windsor Gardens, South Australia, and can arrange delivery of equipment across Australia.
Visit the Bake Equipment showroom online or get in touch to discuss what you're looking for.
