Mechanic reveals best high-mileage pickup trucks to buy & which newer vehicles to avoid – it all depends on the engine

A SEASONED mechanic tells his six million followers which used trucks he would recommend – some are only worth it with certain engines.

Ford and Chevy made the list, but he warned drivers to avoid certain configurations.

YouTube/Scotty Kilmer

YouTube/Scotty Kilmer

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Reuters

Scotty Kilmer, a famed mechanic with over 40 years of professional mechanic experience, has six million followers on YouTube (@ ScottyKilmer ) after posting DIY maintenance tips and product reviews .

In a recent Short , he listed the top four trucks he’d recommend to anyone looking to buy a high-mileage used truck.

He recommended the brand’s full-size pickup as the first truck, keeping in line with his loyalty to Toyota .

“Numero uno is the Toyota Tundra,” he said.

“This one only has 199,000 miles, but I’ve seen them with over 600,000 miles.”

The Toyota Tundra, especially those from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, are known for their bulletproof V8 engines and their high resale value.

Second on his list was the Ford F-150 – but only with a certain engine.

“Just make sure you get a V8 engine,” Kilmer said.

“And stay away from the newer EcoBoost engines. The older ones tend to last much longer.”

Breaking away from the full-sized category, he mentioned the mid-sized pickup made by Toyota.

“If you’re looking for smaller, number three is the Tundra’s little brother, the Tacoma,” he said.

The Tacoma’s largest engine choice is a V6, but it’s known for its reliability and high towing and hauling capabilities.

The fourth truck on Kilmer’s list seemed to shock himself.

“Number four may surprise you,” he said.

“But the Chevy 1500 – but only the older ones, not the modern ones.”

He said automakers just don’t make them like they used to.

“I’ve had customers with GM engines from the 1990s, and they’re still running like clocks,” he said.

Scotty's top four used trucks

Famed YouTuber Scotty Kilmer told his six million followers there are only four trucks he'd buy used with high miles.

1. Toyota Tundra (any year, but especially the older models), as many have been found with hundreds of thousands of miles and still running strong.
2. Ford F-150, but only with the V8. He also warned drivers to stay away from the modern EcoBoost engine
3. Toyota Tacoma
4. Chevy 1500 – but only the older models.

Kilmer’s followers praised his choices, with many agreeing older trucks tend to be better.

“Those GM trucks from the 90s, solid stuff, man,” wrote one viewer.

“They were being put together with pride. Now GM is a joke.”

Another happy truck owner wrote their 22-year-old truck runs perfectly.

“My 2002 Chevy Silverado with 360,000 miles on it is still going strong after so many years of wear and tear,” they said.

Another Chevy owner wrote their truck had a jaw-dropping amount of miles on it.

“I love my 1997 Chevy K1500 with 500,000 miles and counting,” their comment read.