On a second-hand refrigerated body, panel moisture is a costly risk that may not show outside. A wet panel can look sound; assess weight, insulation behaviour and sealing separately. A visual inspection alone does not prove the panel's condition, and the unit needs its own review.
Where moisture gets in. Moisture can enter through impact cracks in the door frame, failed sealing along the floor edge and punctures in the internal lining. Ask for records of forklift impact, repairs and water ingress; do not infer the whole condition from one sign.
Inspection order
| Check | Record | Follow-up |
|---|---|---|
| Doors and seals | Closure, visible gaps, tears or compression | Sealing and adjustment check |
| Inner/outer lining | Holes, bulging, separation and repair marks | Location photos and repair records |
| Floor and drainage | Damaged joints, blocked drains, visible accumulation | Cleaning and technical inspection |
| Mass | Vehicle, equipment and load state during weighing | Compare records for the same configuration |
| Unit | Model/serial, hours, alarms and service record | Service assessment under suitable conditions |
The unit is a separate purchase decision
Even where body and unit are the same age, they are judged separately. For a high-hour unit, review the maintenance plan, service records and a current operating test together; hours alone do not predict future cost.
Page 32 of the Thermo King Precedent manual treats body/insulation damage, door seals and drainage as separate checks. This purchase checklist prepares an inspection; appearance or a running unit does not certify insulation performance.
A simple field test
Leaving the vehicle closed and empty and logging the internal temperature adds field evidence when duration and starting conditions are comparable. The curve alone does not diagnose insulation; unit capacity, outside air, door sealing and airflow also affect it.
Pre-purchase list
- door seal and hinge adjustment
- sweep the internal lining for punctures and bulges
- unit running hours and service record
- empty-body test and temperature curve
A weighbridge result compared with a similar body and equipment can flag moisture or added parts. A marked weight difference does not prove water in the panel; assess it with repair, equipment and registration records.
