Are Second Hand Ute Trays Perth Worth Buying? Expert Guide
Shopping for a ute tray in Perth is a tug-of-war between budget and reliability.
On one side, brand-new trays chew through your savings. On the other, second hand trays Perth are there that give you good bargain, but with the fears of rust, dodgy welds, or poor fitment. They can turn the “great deal” into an expensive headache.
Add to that the endless scroll of online listings, uncertain sellers, and everything in between. That’s why buyers get stuck in their ute tray hunt. But don’t worry.
Glennic Transport Equipment knows all the hacks of this quest & can teach you too.
If you’re a tradie who needs a heavy-duty workhorse, a weekend adventurer chasing the perfect off-road setup, or a small business owner trying to balance cost with durability. We’ll help you weigh the real pros and cons of new versus second-hand ute trays.
So, you can make a decision without wasting your time or money.
New vs Used Ute Trays Perth: What’s the Difference?
Can’t choose between a brand-new ute tray and a second-hand one? It is all about balancing cost, condition, and long-term value.
A new tray offers the obvious advantages of a clean slate. It has factory-fresh materials, solid structural integrity, and the security of a warranty if something goes wrong. You know how it’s been built and can count on consistent performance.
A used tray, on the other hand, can save you thousands upfront and still deliver years of service if it’s been well maintained. Many second-hand trays in Perth have seen only light use. Hence, with a careful inspection for rust, cracks, or welds, it can perform like new.
The downside is that you have to rely on the previous owner’s care. No warranty, no guaranteed lifespan, and a bigger responsibility to check for hidden wear.
Pros & Cons of Second Hand Ute Trays Perth
Almost all of our customers ask the same question: are used ute trays worth it? The answer is yes, in many cases, but only if you do your homework right.
Pros of Used Trays
Cost savings | Used trays always cost less than new ones. If you’re trying to keep upfront costs down, a second-hand ute tray can do the job for far less. |
Quick availability | Because they’re already made, used trays are available immediately. No waiting for fabrication, paint, and delivery. |
Lower depreciation risk | If you expect wear and tear, going second hand means someone else has already taken that initial depreciation hit. |
Eco-friendly | Reusing trays means less new material used, less waste, less energy. An important factor for many customers. |
Now let’s move towards cons, as nothing good ever comes without some compromise.
Cons of Ute Trays
Hidden damage or wear | Rust in hidden places. Weak welds. Missing mounting hardware. Undetected bends. They all can reduce strength or safety. |
Limited design or size options | You have to compromise on fit, material, shape, accessories. A used tray will not come with advanced accessories like drop-sides, toolboxes, racks etc. |
No or limited warranty | If something fails, repairs or reinforcement are on you. There is no manufacturer’s warranty for them. |
Potential for high long-term cost | If you purchase a tray that needs ongoing repairs, or replacement parts, the savings are way less than you think. |
Now, Let’s guide you on some best routes and tricks to dodge the cons of deal.
Key Things to Inspect Before Buying a Used Tray
If you decide on a second hand ute tray, this inspection checklist is essential. We apply these ourselves at Glennic when evaluating trays for sale or for reconditioning.
1. Rust & Corrosion
Inspect all welds (especially underneath), corners, boltholes, mounting points. Rust can start under coating or where water pools. Check your steel second hand ute tray if it is galvanised or powder coated. Peeled off paint means there’s some surface rust left untreated.
Aluminium trays are more resistant. But they can still have oxidisation or corrosion at connections, clamps, or where dissimilar metals join (galvanic corrosion).
2. Structural Integrity
Are the framing rails straight or bent? Any twisting? Is there sagging in the middle when lifted or loaded?
Look at the weld quality too. Good welds are uniform, no holes, full penetration. Poor welds show cracks, under-filled areas, or spatter. Check the lugs or bolt assemblies that attach to the ute’s chassis. They should be solid, not worn or over enlarged bolt holes.
3. Fit and Size
Choose between single cab and dual cab second hand ute tray. Make sure the tray matches your ute model. Don’t assume universal fit. Check dimensions width, length, clearance, drop clearances, step-in height.
Check side rails, drop sides, tailgate clearance, toolboxes or accessories mount points, too.
4. Material Type
If the tray is made up of heavy steel vs mild steel vs galvanised steel, check the thickness of the plate and framing. For used aluminium ute trays Perth, gauge of the sheet, alloy grade, and design strength are important.
5. Wear and Damage
Dents, scratches, gouges. Especially in areas that bear heavy loads or cargo rubbing. Signs of repairs or patch work: is there heat distortion, mismatched metal, sloppy welding? Those can be weak points.
6. Mounting Hardware & Accessories
Are the bolts, frame brackets, tie-downs included and in good condition? Missing or corroded hardware can compromise safety. If it came with extra items (toolboxes, racks, ladder racks, canopy mounts), check their fit and condition.
7. Compliance & Regulations
WA road laws require certain safety caps: load restraint, tail lights, indicators, reflectors. A used tray may need these working and properly mounted. Check load rating, GVM limits because adding a heavy tray can push you over legal weight limits.
8. Past Usage History
What was the tray used for? If for dumping sharp items, concrete, pipes or abrasive gear, wear will be more than if used lightly. Ask for photos of undertray, underneath, inside surfaces. If possible, inspect it in person.
Where to Buy Second Hand Ute Trays in Perth
Knowing the best place to buy ute trays Perth is like winning half the battle.
You can search Facebook Marketplace and other online classifieds for used ute trays Perth. They let you see trays in person, and sometimes negotiate.
Businesses that deal in aftermarket trays or transport equipment have reconditioned used trays, or can inspect and certify used ones. Workshops have trade-ins or offcuts, or older trays they’ve replaced. Plus, they are willing to do minor repairs or modifications too.
Sometimes it makes sense to buy a refurbished used tray with welds redone, rust removed, finish redone. The cost is higher than raw one, but you get much more reliability.
At Glennic Transport Equipment, we design, manufacture and install steel trays for all ute models. You can get reconditioned or custom-built tray replacement for utes Perth. If our options don’t match your requirements, you can also get modifications.
We stand by quality, functional strength, and workmanship.
Final Word: Making the Smart Choice for Your Perth Ute
We believe the best ute tray is one that matches your work, budget, and local conditions.
If you are budget-conscious and need affordable option, find a used steel tray in good condition. Just do the inspection. You’ll save money, and still get a long service life.
But if you want a tray for heavy use or commercial work. A quality new steel tray built in Perth can outperform a used tray in long term. The upfront cost is higher, but payback in less maintenance, fewer complaints, and more reliability.
Use-Case | Second Hand Ute Trays are Good Enough | Better to Go New |
Light trade, occasional use, short local trips | Yes! a clean steel or alloy used tray with good condition and mounts are perfect | Only if you want perfect finish, warranty, or custom accessories |
Heavy daily work: construction, moving gear, earthmoving | Maybe! but it must be very good condition, robust steel, and well-treated | Yes! New versions have heavy duty steel, thicker framing, corrosion protection & warranty |
Coastal or saltwater exposure | Used aluminium or used steel that’s been properly treated can hold up | New alloy or new treated steel with corrosion protection is preferred |
Fleets, where resale value or reputation is required | Less ideal. Used tray look beat up or patched up | New tray increases value, appearance, uniformity, warranty helps buyers |
Want to buy ute tray Perth that can give you best quality in affordable price?
Get Durable Ute Trays for Sale Perth at Glennic Transport Equipment
We design, manufacture, and install trays built for the harshest worksites.
All our trays use heavy-duty steel, built locally, with strength, durability, and function in mind. So, if you’re after new or used ute trays in WA, come to us. We have cheap ute trays Perth as well as high-end custom steel ones to suit your needs.
Let’s get you a tray that won’t let you down.
Check Out Our Ute Tray Collection
Get a Quote from Our Manufacturing Warehouse in Maddington.