The success of any logistics operation ultimately depends on the fleet – not just its size, but also how economically it is used. And what seems like an economically sound solution in the short term, might end up costing a lot in the long run. With new trucks costing €100,000-€130,000 each, many fleet operators face a difficult choice: stretch their budget thin with new purchases or risk reliability issues with older vehicles. However, there’s a strategic middle. In this article, Agnius Šinkūnas, Head of Sales at ClassTrucks, explains why young-used trucks (2-4 years old) might be the smartest investment for your growing fleet.

Helps save thousands

When it comes to cost-effectiveness, young-used (i.e., less than 4 year-old) trucks outperform both their older counterparts and brand new vehicles. In return for their money, customers get a selection of recent models with low mileage – ranging anywhere from 80,000 to 200,000 kilometers. Some young-used trucks even come with a valid warranty, making the purchase still more attractive.

“Young-used trucks cost significantly less than brand new ones. In fact, buying a model that came out just a few years ago can shave off dozens of thousands of euros from the price. For instance, 2025 Mercedes-Benz Actros models routinely range around €115,000 while a 2021 model with extra bells and whistles costs roughly €50,000. Similarly, 2025 base models of 2025 SCANIA R450 can fall between €125,000 and €140,000 for standard 4×2 or 6×2 configurations while units from 2023 typically cluster around €80,000,” analyses Agnius Šinkūnas, Head of Sales at ClassTrucks.

Emission standards – more efficient fuel consumption

While the primary goal of Euro 6 – the latest exhaust emission standard for new vehicles – is emission control, in many cases it has delivered an additional benefit: increased fuel efficiency and engine power. This stems from manufacturers optimizing their engines to meet compliance requirements.

The sweet spot in this regard is trucks made in 2021-2023. They feature mature Euro 6 technology with proven reliability and benefit from improved testing standards that provide more accurate fuel consumption figures. They also include Real Driving Emissions (RDE) testing for more accurate fuel consumption ratings, which uses portable emissions measurement systems rather than lab-only testing.

Lower road taxes for newer trucks

Beyond fuel efficiency, young-used trucks offer substantial savings through reduced road taxes across Europe. Most European countries have implemented tiered road taxation systems that favor cleaner Euro 6 vehicles over their Euro 5 predecessors. For example, in Germany, Euro 6 trucks pay €0.348 or less (depending on CO2 emission class) per kilometer compared to €0.389 for Euro 5 vehicles, while in the Czech Republic, the gap is even more pronounced at 5,895 CZK/km versus 6,385 CZK/km for Euro 5 models. For operators covering extensive routes, these savings can amount to thousands of euros annually per vehicle.

Maintenance history is extremely important when buying used vehicles

A complete service history becomes invaluable when purchasing a used truck since you haven’t personally overseen its maintenance. For instance, it can function as proof of warranty-qualifying maintenance, which is essential for any remaining manufacturer coverage, and evidence for warranty extensions – some manufacturers offer extended coverage for well-maintained vehicles.

Having your truck’s full service history makes it easier to schedule maintenance checks, as you get access to detailed information about its past malfunctions, including their frequency and measures used to restore roadworthiness. This information can also help you identify hidden problems that aren’t immediately apparent.

“If you plan to resell your truck within a certain period of time, full service history will come in handy once again. Documented care typically adds 10-20% to resale value – the more data you provide, the more you’ll be able to charge for your truck,” the ClassTrucks expert emphasizes.

A truck that has been in service for several years – a proven choice

According to A. Šinkūnas, buying a young-used truck means that its technology is current enough to be serviceable at most shops. In addition, all of its parts will be readily available, reducing the logistics of maintenance and repairs. Overall, keeping a used truck in good condition might be slightly more expensive due to wear and tear issues. The difference, however, is not large enough to justify buying a brand new vehicle.

“With a young-used truck, you can benefit from its known reliability patterns. Meaning, any manufacturing defects or design flaws have likely been identified and resolved through recalls or technical service bulletins. You’ll also know exactly what maintenance is needed and when, based on real-world data rather than manufacturer estimates. In other words, you’ll be planning around known service intervals rather than discovering them,” A. Šinkūnas elaborates.

Buying young-used also means that you won’t be gambling on whether the truck will perform well in actual use conditions, since its parts will have already demonstrated their longevity and reliability. Besides, the truck’s parts will have established supply chains, allowing you to avoid the shortages that sometimes affect brand new models – and mechanics will have experience with your model, leading to faster diagnosis and repair.

Avoiding devaluation creates opportunities for new investments

The evidence overwhelmingly favors purchasing young-used trucks over new ones for most commercial operators – and even for individual buyers. By avoiding the devastating 20-30% first-year depreciation hit, fleet operators can redirect that capital into their core business while enjoying 15-25% lower insurance premiums and proven fuel efficiency from mature Euro 6 technology.

“Two to four year-old trucks represent technology at its optimal point – featuring mature emission systems (whose early-stage implementation issues have been resolved), highly accurate fuel consumption figures, and battle-tested reliability that eliminates the unknown variables that sometimes plague new vehicle purchases,” A. Šinkūnas highlights.

According to him, young-used trucks provide superior total cost of ownership, consistently outperforming new vehicles by 15-25% when purchase price, depreciation, maintenance, and fuel costs are calculated together. That, coupled with complete service history and proper maintenance records, makes young-used an economically viable solution for fleet operators.