Rebuild the earnings picture
Separate revenue by customer, route, and service where your records allow. Explain fuel, insurance, driver compensation, and repairs. A higher top line can hide lower margins or a much larger cash requirement.
List truck and trailer debt separately from operating expenses. Loan principal and interest have different roles in evaluating earnings and in calculating your proceeds at closing.
Evaluate fleet replacement needs
Prepare asset records with ownership, mileage, maintenance history, leases, and liens. Explain recent large repairs and the expected replacement cycle.
A buyer may adjust its offer when substantial equipment spending is near. Compare the business as an ongoing operation with the cost and risk of disposing of the fleet separately.
Check operating and customer requirements
Have the buyer and its advisors confirm required registrations, operating authority, insurance, and customer approvals for the actual deal structure. Do not assume an asset sale carries every permission with it.
Review contract assignment and customer concentration. Show which dispatchers or managers maintain the accounts and how the company would operate during your transition.
Compare offers after debt payoff
Ask for a closing estimate showing vehicle payoffs, transaction expenses, retained cash, and any note you would carry. Keep a separate view of taxes with your CPA.
An offer with a financing condition needs a credible buyer funding plan. Financial screening should happen before you devote substantial time to buyer meetings.
Continue your sale preparation
Request a business sale introduction when you are ready to discuss your company.