I might be purchasing a 2011 what should I look for?

Im going to go look at a 2011 Access Cab 4 cylinder 5 speed (126k miles), what should I look for besides rust? I purchased the Carfax for the truck and it’s been in TN it’s whole life so rust isn’t going to be as bad, but it doesn’t look like it’s had much service done recently. The guy said he did most of the service himself but doesn’t really have any proof. It’s a one family truck and physically looks ok (in pictures). What should I look for besides the main things (rust, fluids, etc)? What maintenance typically should have already been done at 126k miles?

 

Check for leaks, black sludge under the oil cap (would be a sign that oil changes were neglected), all the fluids should have been changed at least once at that age and millage.
Take it for a good test drive and make sure everything works and there are no odd noises.

 

I’d be looking at the frame for rust

 

Check for frame rust.

Visually check and smell the fluids. Know what each fluid should look/smell like ahead of time.

If applicable look above the drive train zerk fittings for a line of fairly fresh grease splatter. This indicates these have been serviced. A layer of old grease under new grease would even be more convincing.

When you take the test drive do it with the stereo off you you’re more in tune to any strange noises or vibrations. Don’t let the seller talk your ear off during the drive.

 

Not having proof of maintenance doesn’t mean much, I do 99.9 % of maintenance myself and do not keep receipts, although I do keep a log. Ask him what he’s done and to be specific, if he can give maintenance with its applicable mileage intervals I wouldn’t worry, if not, then I’d be a bit suspect.

oil changes, diff and transfer case changes, has the transmission been serviced, if so then when, brakes, serviced/replaced, brake fluid should have been replaced at least once, if so when, coolant should have been serviced at 100,000 miles, was it….? If he can answer all of these questions without thinking too hard then I’d feel good about its upkeep, if he pulls out his phone and reads off his maintenance routine I’d feel even better.

 

Ask him if he had any recalls done at dealership.like the frame if it had rust or the rear leaf springs have been replaced.

 

Google is your friend,there are hundreds of threads about what too look for.

 

So will this be your 3rd Taco you have?

 

It would be my 2nd. I sold my 2019 to get my 2022. In total it would be my 4th - I’ve had a 2022, a 2019, and a 2008 so far.

 

Motor oil. Look at what's on the dip stick, if it's clean and doesn't smell like gas, that's a good sign. It shouldn't smell like gear oil, a trick to hide noise. Brake fluid shouldn't look and smell like putrid black water. Bring some rags, flashlight, telescopic mirror small and large, and some handy wipes so you don't get oily prints inside. You can use the small mirror and flashlight to get a good look at the rotors and pads, no gouged rotors, some meat left on the pads. Use the big mirror to look under for leaks, bad frame rust. Bounce each corner, listen for strange noise, watch for excessive bouncing. Look up how to read the date code on tires, a mistake I made on my last purchase. Take a picture of the vin & plate, zoom in on the vin, match it up with your carfax. Everything you find wrong, calculate what it costs to fix, subtract that from blue book value, offer that amount. If the dude is the slightest bit shady or rubs you as not right, walk. Dealers try to appear as a private party seller.