Thoughts on buying a Tacoma with accident

Hello all. Thoughts on purchasing a 2023 with very low mileage and a CarFax labeled 'minor' accident. There are no other details other than it was minor. The owner sold truck just a few months later. Apparently because it was too small for there family (new baby on the way).

This is for sale from a 'non' Toyota dealer, but there is a Toyota dealership across the street that will do a pre-purchase inspection and I would have their body shop take a look also. It's a great looking truck and seemed to drive well, but I am concerned about that accident.

Thoughts?

Thanks all.

 

Don’t do it. Find a non-accident one.

 

Unless the truck checks out good and it’s priced super low, otherwise spend a little bit more and don’t have the worries that this truck will give you

 

How long do you think you’d keep it?

the older the vehicle, the less the impact.

That being, staying away is always a good choice.

 

I'm call BS to all the nay-sayers above.

"minor accident" could be cosmetic that was insurance-repaired.

And, yes, there is such a thing as a "minor accident".

Get it inspected by an independent shop. Racked, on a lift. Expect to pay 1-2 hrs of shop labor including a test drive, OBD-II scan for erased (pending DTCs), complete frame inspection, wheels off suspension review, fluid check, and a complete functional test of all components such as HVAC, lights, windows, sound system and more. Check everything.

There are almost always "witness" marks from a major incident. GET IT INSPECTED and negotiate accordingly. You have all the leverage.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU TRUST THE USED CAR LOT

I would also check the make sure the engine is original. Last but not least, the easiest test of all is the seat belt test to determine if it was flooded. Again, any shop worth its reputation will tell you whether it was flooded and/or the engine replaced.

 

Without knowing what/where the minor accident is, or what kind of damage (if any) occurred, there's no way of giving any helpful advice.

Take it somewhere for a pre-sale inspection

 

^ this is what I just stated ^

 

The old owner may have posted about this truck and accident on these forums.
Post some details and see if anyone comes forward.

 

Thank you for the responses everyone!! It seems it may be best to walk away from the truck, but just to answer some questions. I would have the truck looked at by the Toyota dealership across the street and I would pay for whatever it takes to give the truck a complete look over. Some details on the the truck. It's a 2023 Celestial Silver Metallic TRD OR with approx 9K mileage. Single owner and used for personal reasons.

It would appear the accident happened in late Dec 2023 and could have been in Silver Spring, MD. Then it was later sold in March of this year. The truck has the Tech Package and LED light for 40K. The other potential issue I have is that the truck should still be under Toyota Factory Warranty. Is there anything that might void that due to the accident?

This would be the fourth near perfect Tacoma I would have walked away from. 1) Did not like the color 2) dragged my feet and the truck was sold, 3) manual transmission 4 (this one)) accident.

My wife is pushing me hard to just get a new 2024, but I feel it best if I stuck with a 3rd gen.

Thanks again all.

 

If it checks out okay and they’re pricing accordingly, I don’t see the harm in looking.

 

Listen to your wife.....at least that's what my divorce lawyer always said.

 

@BigCarbonFootprint - yeah, I asked about a pre-purchase inspection with the sales manager, and he said our Honda dealership has many mechanics that could take a look. I said, nah I want to take it to my own mechanic.

@AvalonTaco - I plan on holding onto it for a while (at least 5 or so years). The only thing I can think of that may change that is if my office relocates and the drive gets a lot longer. Right now, my commute is only 20 miles round trip.

With regards to a new one - I will certainly wait until some incentives roll around. My wife doesn't have a problem with me getting one now, but I don't want to spend that type of money on a truck. However, given the prices of used...a new one doesn't look as bad.

 

Post the link to the truck.

 

Here is the link to the truck => Used vehicles for sale in Rockville Maryland | Herson's Honda (hersonshonda.com)

 

My truck has a minor accident on its record. I hit a turkey and I needed a new grill and headlight. It wouldn’t stop me from buying it used, and I wouldn’t “drop the price accordingly” when I sold it. If it passes the inspection, and you can’t see any obvious signs of repair, I wouldn’t hesitate. If it bothers you, keep looking.

 

Problem is that that will always be on the car fax and if you later go to trade it in the dealer will always hit you lower on the value. If you go to sell it privately this will also be a deterrent for some buyers as well.

 

Agreed. To me, it’s two things, the damage/repair quality and the hickey on Carfax. Any dealer worth his salt will grind away on that minor accident. I’ve seen my share of “minors” on Carfax, it doesn’t take much more than a random turkey. Again, not a fan of Carfax, but they got that cute little fox…

 

Here's an example for you. Traded my truck in, 18 DCLB. Waited a week, check dealer I Traded in to. Looked up carfax on their site. It list a minor accident, which indicates minor damage ( small dent/scratches. Well Here's what was repaired after a deer hit. Front bumper, grill, headlight, fender, repair door, and rocker panel. That's not all, second incident. Wind storm, 3 trees fell on it. Complete new roof, drivers side doors, inner door frame surround, and tonneau cover. So, never believe Carfax minor damage. First incident 6k damage, 2nd 15k damage.

 

Excellent point. I believe Carfax does more harm than good…