Which used GMC Sierra 1500 model years are worth buying in El Paso?

Start with 2020 and newer Sierra 1500s, the fifth-generation trucks, and treat a 2017 or 2018 as the budget pick, checked closely. Group 1 GMC Westside sells used and certified pre-owned GMC trucks on Crockett Street in El Paso.

GM’s own service bulletins are the clearest guide to where older trucks run into trouble. They name lifter, oil-use and A/C faults on 2014 through 2016 trucks, and the lifter cause carries into 2018, so the closest look belongs on the older end of the used market.

Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in El Paso. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.

Used Sierra 1500s from 2020 on are the safest buy in El Paso

GM’s service bulletins on oil use, lifters and A/C name 2014 through 2016 trucks, and 2018 for lifters, but none of them names a 2020 or newer truck. Group 1 GMC Westside sells used and certified pre-owned GMC trucks, so a buyer can start with those years on the lot at 955 Crockett St.

We sell new GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra HD, Canyon, Sierra EV, Hummer EV Pickup and SUV, Terrain, Acadia, Yukon, Yukon XL, Savana and Sierra Cab Chassis. A buyer can compare a used truck with a new one in the same place. Our used inventory spans several makes, and our certified pre-owned program includes GMC vehicles, so a used Sierra 1500 is one choice among those on the lot.

What do the 2026 Sierra 1500’s prices and engines tell a used buyer?

The 2026 Sierra 1500 gives the reference point for where the line stands. GMC’s own 2026 prices start the Pro at $38,300, the SLE at $48,700, the Elevation at $50,500 and the SLT at $55,100.

The engines are the other half of that picture. The Pro lists the TurboMax engine with an 8-speed automatic and offers the 5.3L V8 with a 10-speed automatic, and the AT4 offers the 6.2L V8. Check the engine of any year you want against that list, because a used buyer is really choosing an engine and a year together.

What should you know before buying a 2017 or 2018 Sierra 1500?

A 2017 or 2018 Sierra 1500 is the budget pick only with its lifter and A/C history checked. GM’s bulletins tie misfire and tick-noise complaints on 2014 through 2016 trucks with the 5.3L and 6.2L engines to collapsed or stuck active fuel management lifters, and a December 2017 update extends the same lifter causes to 2018 models. The A/C fault is in the 2014 through 2017 bulletins, which list an inoperative A/C as a symptom of engine harness chafing against the vacuum pump pulley (General Motors service bulletins, 2016 and 2017).

Ask for the service record on the lifters and the A/C before you agree on a price. A truck that has had both checked is a stronger budget buy than one that has not.

Which Sierra 1500 model years need a closer inspection before you buy?

The 2014 through 2016 trucks need the closest look. GM bulletin PIP5382F covers excessive oil consumption on those trucks, defined as 1 quart in 2,000 miles or 1.5 quarts in 100 hours (General Motors, 2016). Check the oil level at the first look and ask for the oil change history.

El Paso County also tests the truck for you. The annual emissions inspection applies to gasoline vehicles 2 to 24 model years old, and the test is an on-board diagnostics check (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, 2026). A truck that has passed recently has cleared one of the checks a buyer would otherwise order.

How do the Sierra 1500’s 5.3L V8, 6.2L V8 and 3.0L Duramax differ?

The 5.3L and 6.2L are both V8s, and the 3.0L Duramax is the diesel that gets the best mileage. EPA’s certified figures for the 2026 model year, four-wheel-drive trucks, show the gap:

For a used buyer, the 5.3L is the engine to price first, since it is the V8 the Pro offers. The 6.2L costs the most to run on these figures, and the diesel gives the most miles per gallon.

How does El Paso sun and heat wear a used Sierra 1500?

El Paso’s sun and summer heat wear the dashboard, leather seats and clear coat, and the older the truck, the more years of that exposure it carries. The National Weather Service puts El Paso at 83.8 percent of possible sunshine in a normal year (National Weather Service, 1907 to 2010 average).

Look at the dashboard for cracks and warping, the leather for drying and fading, and the paint for clear coat that has lost its shine. Those three checks show more about a truck’s care than its mileage does.

Why shop used Sierra 1500s at Group 1 GMC Westside in El Paso?

Group 1 GMC Westside, at 955 Crockett St, sells new, used and certified pre-owned GMC vehicles and holds a 4.5-star Google rating across 3,010 reviews (Google, 2026). We sell GMC trucks new and service them on site, and buyers can apply for financing online or shop entirely online with AcceleRide.

In an August 2026 Google review, John C. wrote: “Great experience helped me with both my trade in and new truck amazing customer service looked out for me didn’t add extra add one like most dealership kept it cut dry made my experience simple and short”

For a buyer who brings a trade to a used-truck purchase, that is the visit this review describes, from start to finish.

Frequently asked questions

Which Sierra 1500 trim should a used buyer look for: SLE, SLT, Elevation, AT4 or Denali?

GMC’s own 2026 starting prices are $48,700 for the SLE, $50,500 for the Elevation and $55,100 for the SLT. The AT4 offers the 6.2L V8 with a 10-speed automatic as an available engine. Choose the trim for the equipment you want, then check the year and engine of each truck you consider.

Should you buy a used Sierra 1500 in a Double Cab or a Crew Cab?

On the 2026 Sierra 1500, the Crew Cab gives 44.5 inches of front legroom and 43.40 inches in the second row, against 35.24 inches in the Double Cab’s second row (GMC, 2026 model year). The short bed holds 62.9 cubic feet of cargo and the standard bed 71.7. Pick the Double Cab only when the back seat carries cargo or occasional riders.

How many miles is too many on a used Sierra 1500?

iSeeCars puts the average GMC Sierra 1500 lifespan at 174,891 miles, about 12.2 years, with a 33.3 percent chance of reaching 200,000 miles (iSeeCars, 2026). The same source puts typical driving at 12,664 miles a year over the first 10 years. Compare the odometer with that average, then check the service history for the same truck.

What is the best year for Sierra 1500?

Start with a 2020 or newer Sierra 1500, and treat a 2017 or 2018 as the budget pick with its lifter and A/C history checked. GM’s service bulletins on oil use, lifters and A/C name 2014 through 2016 trucks, and 2018 for lifters, but none of them names a 2020 or newer truck, so the closest inspection belongs on the older end. At Group 1 GMC Westside, you can browse new GMC and used inventory online, value your trade and apply for financing, then finish in store or completely online with AcceleRide.

Does Group 1 GMC Westside sell certified pre-owned Sierra 1500s?

Yes. We have certified pre-owned GMC vehicles for sale at 955 Crockett St, alongside new GMC trucks and used vehicles of several makes.

What does GMC certified pre-owned coverage include?

GM’s certified used program is CarBravo. A CarBravo certified used vehicle under 10 model years old and 100,000 miles carries 12-month/12,000-mile Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty coverage with no deductible, whichever comes first (CarBravo, 2026). When you find a truck you like, ask which program it is certified under.

How Group 1 GMC Westside pairs used Sierra 1500s with certified service

A used Sierra 1500 from 2020 on is only part of the decision, because the truck still has to be serviced by people who know GMC. Our Google record stands at 4.5 stars across 3,010 reviews, and 82 in 100 of them are five-star.

Service at Group 1 GMC Westside is done by Certified Service experts and technicians. The parts center stocks GMC parts, orders the ones it does not have, and names GM Genuine Parts and ACDelco. Service comes with a shuttle, loaners are available if needed, and customers wait with free snacks, drinks and Wi-Fi.

To start, bring the model year and trim you want to Group 1 GMC Westside at 955 Crockett St.

Group 1 GMC Westside can take your current truck as the down payment on a used Sierra 1500 from 2020 on. We sell used and certified pre-owned GMC trucks in El Paso, so start with the model year you want.

Group 1 GMC Westside answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our El Paso showroom, or call (915) 519-1116.

Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Group 1 GMC Westside for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.