You need a pickup in the St. Louis area, for work, towing, or hauling, and you do not want to overpay for a truck that rusts out or fails inspection a month later. Used trucks hold their value, so the price is rarely the steal it looks like. Here is where used trucks sell locally, what to check before you hand over money, and the Missouri rules that are different for trucks than for cars.
Shopping right now? Remarket Space has pickups listed in the St. Louis area, like this 2008 Ram 1500 ST 2WD and this 2003 Ford F-350 XL SuperCab 4WD, each with inspection photos and a Buy Now price. See every used vehicle for sale in the St. Louis area.
The short answer: Used trucks in St. Louis sell through dealers, private sellers, and public auctions, including online auctions open to anyone. Check the frame for rust, the hitch for towing wear, and 4WD engagement. Missouri registers trucks by gross weight, charges 4.225% state sales tax plus local tax, and gives you 30 days to title. Trucks rated over 8,500 lbs GVWR skip the St. Louis emissions test.
Updated October 30, 2026. Checked against the Missouri Department of Revenue, the Gateway Vehicle Inspection Program, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Missouri Revisor of Statutes, and the Illinois EPA. Sources are linked at the bottom.
Key takeaways
- Where to look: franchise and independent dealers, private sellers, and public auctions. Each trades price for risk differently.
- Frame first: a rusted frame or rotted brake lines can cost more than the truck is worth. Check underneath before anything else.
- Plates by weight: Missouri registers trucks by declared gross weight, and that weight includes any trailer or load you plan to haul.
- Emissions: gas trucks 1996 and newer and diesels 1997 and newer need a test in St. Louis City and St. Louis, St. Charles, and Jefferson counties, but only if the GVWR is 8,500 lbs or less.
- Safety inspection: required unless the truck is within 10 years of its model year and under 150,000 miles. It costs no more than $12.
- Deadline: 30 days from purchase to title and pay sales tax, then a $25 penalty that can grow to $200.
Where can you buy a used truck in St. Louis?
There are four main places to find a used pickup in the St. Louis area. None of them is always cheapest. Pick based on how much risk you can take and how much time you have to shop.
| Where | Good | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise dealers (Ford, Chevy, Ram, Toyota stores) | Newer trucks, certified pre-owned options, financing, and a Buyers Guide on every used vehicle | The highest prices and add-on fees at signing |
| Independent used lots | More older and higher-mileage trucks at lower prices | Quality varies a lot from lot to lot, and many trucks are sold as is |
| Private sellers (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, word of mouth) | Often the lowest price, and you can ask the owner how the truck was used | No warranty, title problems, and dealers posing as private sellers |
| Public auctions, in person and online | Prices set by bidding, wide selection, and work trucks from fleets and repos | Buyer fees on top of the bid, and the Missouri dealer emissions rule does not apply |
For a full list of places the public can bid locally, see our guide to car auctions in St. Louis, MO. City tow lot sales are covered in police and impound car auctions in St. Louis. Not sure which model to target? Our list of the best pickup trucks to bid on compares the usual picks.
What should you check on a used truck before you buy?
Trucks live harder lives than cars. Many towed, plowed, or hauled for years. Your job is to find out how this one was used.
- Frame rust: get underneath with a flashlight. Surface rust is normal. Flaking, holes, or patched rails are not. Check where the leaf springs and hitch mount to the frame.
- Brake and fuel lines: road salt eats these on older trucks, and they are easy to miss.
- Towing wear: a worn hitch ball, a trailer wiring plug, or a gooseneck plate tells you it pulled loads. Ask what it towed and how often, then look harder at the transmission.
- Transmission: shifts should be smooth with no slipping, flare, or delay going into drive or reverse. Dark or burnt-smelling fluid is a warning sign.
- 4WD: shift into 4 high and 4 low and make sure it engages and releases. Listen for clunks from the front axle and transfer case.
- Bed and cab: look for dents in the bed floor, a sagging rear end, and rust at the cab corners and rocker panels.
- Diesel extras: on a diesel, watch for hard starts, heavy smoke, and missing emissions parts. A tampered system can block a passing emissions test.
- Title and history: the seller’s name and VIN on the title should match the truck. Run a vehicle history report and read up on why title status matters.
Buying from photos instead of in person? Our free pre-bid inspection checklist shows what to look for in listing photos and condition reports.
Does a used truck need a safety inspection in Missouri?
Usually, yes. Under RSMo 307.350, a vehicle is exempt only during the 10 years after its model year and only while it has fewer than 150,000 miles. Plenty of used trucks pass one of those limits. The Highway Patrol caps the fee at $12 for passenger vehicles and trucks.
The certificate is good for 60 days from the inspection date, or 90 days if you bought the truck from a Missouri dealer. Our Missouri safety inspection guide has the full checklist.
Do trucks need an emissions test in St. Louis?
It depends on where you live, the fuel, and the truck’s weight rating. The Gateway Vehicle Inspection Program tests gas vehicles 1996 and newer and diesels 1997 and newer that are registered in St. Louis City or St. Louis, St. Charles, or Jefferson County, with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 8,500 lbs or less.
That weight limit matters for truck buyers. Find the GVWR on the sticker in the driver door jamb. If it reads over 8,500 lbs, the Department of Revenue lists the truck as exempt from emissions. If it reads 8,500 or less, plan on a test, and in this area a lit check engine light usually means a fail.
| Who you buy from | Emissions rule |
|---|---|
| Private seller | Must give you a current emissions approval or waiver. This overrides an as-is clause. |
| Missouri dealer | Must provide a test from the last 120 days, or let you return the truck within 10 days and 1,000 miles if it fails, then repair it free |
| Public auction | Exempt from the dealer rule. Repairs to pass are on you. |
| Junk, salvage, or rebuilt title | Exempt from the dealer rule. Repairs to pass are on you. |
Exemptions, failures, and waivers are covered in our St. Louis emissions testing guide.
How much does it cost to register a truck in Missouri?
Missouri plates passenger cars by taxable horsepower, but trucks by gross weight. The Department of Revenue says the weight you declare includes any trailer or property you might haul during the registration period, so a truck that pulls a loaded trailer may need a higher weight than the truck alone. The fee also depends on whether you register it as local or beyond local, so ask the license office which category fits how you use the truck.
| Declared gross weight | 1-year fee | 2-year fee |
|---|---|---|
| Local, 6,000 lbs | $15.75 | $31.50 |
| Local, 12,000 lbs | $18.25 | $36.50 |
| Beyond local, 6,000 lbs | $25.75 | $51.50 |
| Beyond local, 12,000 lbs | $38.25 | $76.50 |
| Local, 18,000 lbs | $20.75 | $41.50 |
| Beyond local, 18,000 lbs | $63.25 | $126.50 |
On top of plates, here is what you pay when you title a used truck:
| Item | What Missouri charges |
|---|---|
| Sales tax | 4.225% state tax plus your local sales tax, less any trade-in |
| Title fee | $8.50, plus a $9 title processing fee |
| Temporary permit | $5, plus $9 if done at a license office. Good for 30 days from purchase, one per vehicle |
| Late title penalty | $25 on day 31, plus $25 every 30 days after, up to $200 |
Your local rate decides the biggest number on that bill. See Missouri car sales tax in St. Louis for the math, and Missouri temporary tags if you need to drive the truck home before you title it.
St. Louis City vs. St. Louis County vs. St. Charles vs. Metro East
| Where you live | Emissions test to title? | Who titles the truck |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis City | Yes, if 8,500 lbs GVWR or less and not exempt | Missouri DOR |
| St. Louis County | Yes, if 8,500 lbs GVWR or less and not exempt | Missouri DOR |
| St. Charles County | Yes, if 8,500 lbs GVWR or less and not exempt | Missouri DOR |
| Jefferson County | Yes, if 8,500 lbs GVWR or less and not exempt | Missouri DOR |
| Illinois Metro East | Missouri’s program does not apply. Illinois runs its own test in the Metro East area | Illinois Secretary of State |
On the Illinois side of the river, the Illinois EPA tests most 1996 and newer gas passenger vehicles in the Metro East area once they are four years old. Use the state’s station locator to confirm your address. For buying options in Illinois, see car auctions in Illinois.
How do you buy and title a used truck in Missouri?
- 1. Check the title: the seller signs it over to you. Make sure the VIN matches the truck and look for salvage or rebuilt brands.
- 2. Get insurance: you need proof of insurance to register.
- 3. Get inspections: a safety inspection if the truck is not exempt, and an emissions test if you live in the testing area and the GVWR is 8,500 lbs or less.
- 4. Bring your tax paperwork: a paid personal property tax receipt or a statement of non-assessment from your county.
- 5. Visit a license office within 30 days: pay sales tax, title fees, and plates at the weight you declare.
Every form is covered in our Missouri title transfer guide. Bringing a truck in from another state? Read how to title an out-of-state vehicle in Missouri.
Buying a used truck on Remarket Space
Remarket Space is an online auction open to the public, with a St. Louis-area option. You do not need a dealer license, and creating an account is free. Every truck is inspected by a Verified Remarket Space Inspector and comes with a free Carfax, real photos, and an HD virtual test drive, so you can check the frame, the bed, and the dash lights from home. Bid, or take the Buy Now price when one is shown. Eligible vehicles are covered by our 3-Day Major Mechanical Guarantee.
See trucks up for auction now, browse St. Louis-area listings or trucks in the Twin Cities area with a delivery quote on each listing, read how bidding works, and check the buyer premium and fees before you bid. Comparing markets? Here is our guide to used trucks in Minnesota.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your budget and risk tolerance. Franchise dealers sell newer trucks with financing, independent lots and private sellers are usually cheaper, and public auctions, including online auctions open to anyone, let bidding set the price. Always check the frame and title first.
Yes, if the truck is registered in St. Louis City or St. Louis, St. Charles, or Jefferson County, is a 1996 or newer gas or 1997 or newer diesel, and has a GVWR of 8,500 lbs or less. Heavier trucks are exempt.
Missouri registers trucks by declared gross weight, not horsepower. The weight includes any trailer or load you might haul during the registration period. Fees start at $15.75 a year for a local 6,000 lb registration, plus a $9 processing fee.
Usually. A vehicle is exempt only during the 10 years after its model year and only while it has fewer than 150,000 miles. The inspection costs no more than $12 and is good for 60 days, or 90 days when bought from a Missouri dealer.
You have 30 days from the purchase date to title the truck and pay sales tax. On day 31 the Missouri Department of Revenue charges a $25 penalty, plus $25 for every 30 days after that, up to $200.
Yes. Some auctions are dealer only, but public auctions and online auctions such as Remarket Space are open to anyone with a free account. Check the buyer fees and condition report before you bid, since auction sales skip the Missouri dealer emissions rule.
Sources
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Buying a vehicle
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Motor vehicle fees
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Safety and emissions inspection requirements
- Missouri Revisor of Statutes: RSMo 307.350
- Gateway Vehicle Inspection Program: Does my vehicle need a test?
- Gateway Vehicle Inspection Program: Buying from a dealer or private individual
- Missouri State Highway Patrol: Motor vehicle inspection FAQ
- Illinois EPA: Vehicle emissions testing program
General information, not legal or tax advice. Fees and rules can change, so confirm with the Missouri Department of Revenue before you title a truck.
