None of us wants to feel we have made a poor decision on an investment as large as buying a used tractor, but many of the checks you ought to make and research you should do are no different from those you would make anyway. For example, you may already have a brand name of tractor that you have owned before or feel confident in and know to be reliable. All the big brand names are available online; John Deere, Massey Ferguson New Holland, Case IH and others can all be found.

Before you opt for what seems like a bargain it's wise to check that spare parts are not prohibitively expensive for that model and that maintenance services are available reasonably near you. You would also want to know the age of the vehicle, how many hours are on the clock and the book value of the tractor in relation hours of use and age. If it seemed incredibly cheap you might want to ask further questions regarding its maintenance record, general condition and whether it is due a major service.

Whilst online photos cannot tell you everything about a tractor they ought to give some visual sense as to how well a vehicle has been treated and its general condition. When weighing up all these factors you can trust your instincts; if you have doubts then ask more questions and demand clear evidence of age and usage before you make your decision.

If you can buy locally you may strike gold in that you can pay Internet prices, generally lower due to reduced costs, and get a good look at your tractor first. You can then see it running, have a go on it and check out any rattles, bangs or excess smoke. If you aren't mechanically minded, try to take someone with you who is. Even if you have to pay them, it may save you money in the long run if they spot a fault.

One big advantage of the Internet is that your field of choice is widened hugely. If you spot your tractor of choice at a price you like being sold elsewhere in Europe then, after checking the back load transport costs, you may well find you still save money compared to what is available more locally; prices may be cheaper in other countries. You may have concerns about buying online from a distant place without directly seeing your vehicle it can help to look for good transparent honest information on the online advert as a guide to the integrity of the seller, and again weigh up all the factors. If it seems cost effective given time off work and travel, you could still go and see it.

If you do your homework and buy the best tractor you can afford, then you stand a decent chance of landing yourself a good deal online.