HOWO Used Trucks – What You Need to Know Before Buying (2026)
When it comes to heavy-duty trucks in China, the name HOWO is basically synonymous with “robust construction”. The trucks produced by China Shouji (SINOTRUCK) are not particularly exquisite, but they are durable, affordable, and spare parts can be easily obtained anywhere. If you see ten trucks on an African mining site, you might find that six or seven of them are HOWO.
We get asked about HOWO trucks almost every day. And honestly, it makes sense — they’re everywhere on the ground in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. Mining guys love them, construction guys swear by them, and logistics companies keep coming back for more. So if you’re looking to buy used HOWO trucks from China in 2026, here’s what we’ve learned from years of doing this.
Why do all of you choose HOWO?
Sturdy. It’s not some high-tech gadget, just simple and durable. The WD615/WD618 engine series has been in use for over a decade. It has high torque, is fuel-efficient, and is easy to maintain. Any mechanic can handle it.
- The price is indeed very reasonable. A second-hand HOWO dump truck or tractor unit costs approximately one-third to one-half the price of a Volvo or Scania vehicle. For those just starting in the transportation business, the accounting is quite straightforward.
- Don’t worry about spare parts. This is crucial. Whether you are in Nairobi, Lagos, or Tashkent, finding HOWO spare parts is much easier than finding those from Western brands. You can usually find the parts you need at roadside stores. Naturally, the repair costs will also be lower.
- It can be loaded. The standard load capacity of a 6×4 dump truck is 30-40 tons. Although German vehicles can also handle this amount of load, the cost you pay is several times higher.
Over the years, here’s what our customers keep telling us — the maintenance network for HOWO is just miles ahead of any other Chinese brand. When a truck breaks down 500 km from the nearest city, that matters more than any spec sheet number.
Common models and approximate prices / Popular Models and Rough Prices
HOWO 6×4 Dump Truck (also known as HOWO 371)
This is the model we sell the most. It can be used in mines, construction sites, and earthwork projects.
Engine: WD615.47 / 371 horsepower
Transmission: HW19710 (10-speed manual)
Load capacity: 30–40 tons
Second-hand reference price (average condition from 2020 to 2022): $20,000 – $28,000
Suitable for: Coal mines, sand and gravel transportation, and infrastructure projects
HOWO 4×2 Towing Vehicle (Front Section)
This model is often chosen by customers engaged in container transportation or long-distance logistics. It is lightweight and fuel-efficient.
Engine: WD615.69 / 336 horsepower
Reference price: $12,000 – $20,000
HOWO 8×4 dump truck
Bigger and more capable of carrying. More commonly used in large mines.
Engine: WD618.42 / 420 horsepower
Load capacity: 40–50 tons
Reference price: $25,000–$38,000
HOWO 6×4 tractor
The main model for heavy-duty towing is capable of hauling 20-foot and 40-foot containers at will.
Reference price: $15,000 – $25,00
A quick note on pricing — these are ballpark figures we’re seeing in early 2026. The actual price depends on year, mileage, maintenance history, and honestly — how hard you negotiate. We’ve seen two trucks that looked identical on paper differ by $5,000 in real transaction price.
What to Consider Before Buying a Car / What to Check Before You Pay？
We have dealt with thousands of HOWO vehicles. There are a few points you should remember, and doing so can save you a lot of unnecessary expenses.
The engine is the first thing to check. Is there oil leakage? Strange noises? Black smoke or blue smoke? It’s best for the other party to record a video of the engine starting cold. The engine number and the documents should match – this might sound like a trifle, but we’ve actually encountered cases where they didn’t.
Transmission and clutch. Go through each gear. Is it smooth? Is there any clicking sound? Is the pressure applied to the clutch uniform? This doesn’t require any specialized knowledge. You’ll feel it after just a few turns.
Beams and suspensions. This batch of vehicles had a lot of heavy work. If the beams were cracked or had welding repair marks, they were directly rejected. The broken leaf springs were just minor issues, and replacing them wasn’t expensive.
Lifting system (dump truck). Check if the cargo compartment is lifting smoothly and listen for any abnormal noises. Oil leakage in the cylinder is a common problem, but if the oil pipe is also worn out, that would be a serious issue.
Tires. The original tires are usually in the shape of triangles or double circles. Check if the wear is uniform. If one tire is worn unevenly, it might be a problem with the tire itself. If all four tires are worn unevenly, it indicates that the frame has malfunctioned.
Documents. Export customs declaration form, original invoice, and vehicle purchase contract. Missing any one of them will make things very complicated later.
One thing we always tell first-time buyers: get a live video call inspection. Photos can hide a lot. A 10-minute video call where the seller walks around the truck, starts the engine, shifts through the gears — that tells you way more than 50 photos.
Purchase process / Step-by-step buying process
- Determine the requirements. Are you looking for a dump truck or a tractor? Clarify the purpose, and it will be much easier to proceed.
- Find a supplier. There are many companies in China that export used trucks, but not many of them are reliable. Look for those that have physical facilities, can conduct video vehicle inspections, and have complete export procedures. For example, our Hebei Car has a large warehouse in Shijiazhuang and is always open for vehicle viewing.
- Inspect the vehicle. Ask the seller to take detailed photos and videos – preferably following your instructions. “Take a picture of the engine plate,” and “Make sure the frame number is clearly visible.” The real seller won’t be afraid of your close inspection.
- Price and Payment. Industry standard: 30% deposit, 70% to be paid before shipment. L/C can also be used for large orders.
- Logistics. Tianjin Xingang Port is the nearest shipping port. Two routes:
Ro-Ro Ship: The more ships, the better the deal. Vehicles can be directly loaded onto the ship.
Container: For one or two vehicles, use container transportation. One vehicle requires one 40-foot container. The cost is a bit higher, but it offers better protection. - Port of Destination Clearance. Find a reliable local customs agency. Prepare the bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, and certificate of origin in advance.
Tianjin Xingang Port is the main departure point. It’s about 4 hours from our yard in Shijiazhuang. Shipping time to East Africa is around 20-25 days, to West Africa 25-35 days, depending on the shipping line.
How do you choose between HOWO and other Chinese brands?
People often ask us: Is HOWO better than Shaanxi Auto? Is it Jiefang? Or Oumann? To be honest, each has its own merits.
| Comparison item: | HOWO | Shaqi Shacman | Jiefang FAW | Ouman Foton |
| Engine: | Hangfa WD615 (classic and durable) | Weichai (powerful) | Jiefang self-produced (balanced) | Foton Cummins (fuel-efficient) |
| Accessories coverage: | ★★★★★ (best to find) | ★★★★ (also good) | ★★★ (average) | ★★ (fair) |
| Second-hand price: | medium $$ | slightly expensive $$$ | medium $$ | slightly expensive $$$ |
| Fuel economy performance: | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| After-sales support: | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
If we’re being honest, for most buyers in Africa and the Middle East, HOWO is the safe bet. Parts everywhere, mechanics know how to fix them, and you won’t get stuck waiting weeks for a shipment of spares. Shacman is great too, especially for heavy haulage, but the parts network isn’t quite as deep. FAW and FOTON are making progress, but they haven’t caught up yet
Common Questions / FAQs
Q: How many kilometers can a HOWO vehicle travel without major problems?
With routine maintenance, a vehicle can go from 400,000 to 600,000 kilometers without major repairs. Many vehicles continue to run even after 800,000 or 1 million kilometers.
Q: Is there a warranty for buying a second-hand HOWO?
Most reliable exporters will offer an engine and transmission warranty of 30 to 90 days. Before purchasing, make sure to clarify this in the contract.
Q: How long does it take to ship from China to Africa?
The journey from Tianjin Port to Mombasa takes approximately 20-25 days, and to Lagos it takes 25-35 days. It depends on the shipping company’s route.
Q: What vehicles do you have in stock currently?
Contact us directly for the quickest response. WhatsApp: +86 15717767720, Email: [email protected].
2026 Reference Prices List / Quick Price Reference
| Vehicle Model | Year | Condition | Reference Price ($USD) |
| HOWO 6×4 Dump Truck | 2020–2022 | Excellent | $20,000–$28,000 |
| HOWO 4×2 Trailer Truck | 2019–2022 | Excellent | $12,000–$20,000 |
| HOWO 8×4 Dump Truck | 2020–2022 | Excellent | $25,000–$38,000 |
| HOWO 6×4 Trailer Truck | 2020–2022 | Excellent | $15,000–$25,000 |
The prices mentioned above are approximate ranges. The actual price will depend on the vehicle’s condition, mileage, and market conditions.
Want to buy a car? Contact us / Ready to buy?
Hebei Car – Professional Second-hand Truck Exporter
📍 Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, close to Tianjin Port
📱 WhatsApp: +86 15717687720
📧Email: [email protected]
🌐Website: https://www.hebeicar.com
For more vehicle inventory videos, please visit: https://www.tiktok.com/@usedtrucksexport
Please feel free to contact us for the current stock list and prices at any time.
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