Looking at buying a 2014 DCLB, but possible canadian VIN issue

Hi guys, newbie here looking to get my first Tacoma. The vehicle in question is a 2014 V6 SR5 DCLB. It seems to be in nice shape, drives nice, and is even my prefered color haha.....


http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/5737019700.html


Carfax shows service records from London Ontario but VehicleHistory.com says it was built in the United States. Even so, when I called my local dealer service department to check on any recalls they plugged in the VIN and were unable to get any info due to it being from canada. They said the first time I bring it in for service they will have to do some paperwork to get it into the American Vin database??

Does any of this make sense? It feels somewhat like a red-flag situation. I like the truck but I guess it wouldn't be the end of the world if I have to wait for the next good deal to come along.

Any info / advice / opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks!
~Alex

 

The VIN starts with a 5, so that means it was built in Texas, USA. However, I suppose it could have been built for a Canadian distributor/dealership, and therefore never entered the US VIN database. Have you been communicating with the seller about your concerns?

 

The seller is a Mitsubishi / Honda dealer, so they claim they cannot do anything as far as finding VIN info. Of course they are also saying that it wouldn't be a big deal to have service done on it but that may just be becaues they want me to buy the truck.

 

I would see if you can get some information from Toyota's corporate customer service. From the dash picture, it looks like the speedometer is in MPH, which would indicate that it is not a Canadian truck. Does it have a Minnesota title?

 

I would try calling a dealership in Canada to see if they can give you any info. Seems a little sketch to me, but I am not an expert on the import/export of vehicles.

 

Is it just me or is 61K miles a lot for a two year old car?

 

Carproof is much more common in Canada verses carfax.

You'll be likely able to get the vehicle history that way. 61000 kilometers = 38,100 miles. The tacomas are all made in the states, my 2007 was from California and I think my 2013 is from Texas.

 

If it's being listed in kilometers doesn't that kind of mean it's Canadian? Although it doesn't specify if it's miles or KM

 

All Tacomas are made in the US

you could try to contact Toyota Canada to see if they will run the VIN for you

The speedometers are in KPH and MPH

 

The interior photo looks like a US speedo was installed at some point. I also believe that the 2014 in Canada did not come with entune, and that radio looks like it might have it. Hard to tell with the photos though.

 

i have 67k on my 2013...

deal seems sketch

 

3 years old and 61 isn't too bad... I wouldn't worry bout the vin issue, bring it to your dealer fill out the paper work and get it straight... Only words of wisdom with Toyota especially from the north LOOK FOR RUST!!!!!

 

I'm guessing that mileage would be In miles not kilometers The speedo on my 2007 shows km per hour on the bigger white face and miles per hour on the smaller black face.The odo on mine only shows km driven not miles. Not sure if it changed in newer years where you could toggle between km/miles

 

I bought a Canadian Tacoma that had been imported to the US. The speedometer was switched out for one with the MPH on the outside, the digital read outs were switched to miles and the VIN was registered by a Toyota dealer so it can be done. The sticker on the door of mine where it shows where the truck was made also has information about it's original import to Canada with some maple leaf logos so you should be able to determine from that if it really was originally Canadian.

 

Wups, it looks like I waited too long..... someone else bought that one up. Thanks for all the info guys, I will keep looking for another one.

 

How are they all made in the US when my '14 was made in Mexico??

 

All Canadian Tacomas , sorry , should have clarified

 

You don't want a Canadian Tacoma. You're gonna smell the weird bacon and maple syrup and constantly be hungry the whole time you're driving it.

I hear tell of a buddy of mine who gained 400lbs after he bought a Canadia Taco. #TacoLean