Thoughts on buying a Tacoma with accident

That’s it.

 

I've seen similarly spec'd used Tacomas running from 42 - 44k (https://www.darcarstoyota.com/used-...yota-Tacoma-TRD+Off+Road+V6-3TMCZ5AN5PM603690). However, I would certainly try and talk them down a bit. I just talked to the Toyota dealership right next to the Honda dealership (where the truck is) and they of course can do a pre purchase inspection. However when I asked about the body shop doing something similar they said they didn't provide that service. So, the wife and I are going to talk about it tonight. Of course she has been sending me urls of 2024's all day.

Thanks again everyone for all the valued feedback.

 

If they won't let you get an independent evaluation, I wouldn't bother.

GL

 

LOL - I guess I should've explained the "seat belt test". Since I live way down the bayou in south Louisiana, I take these things for granted.

Flooding is super common down here. Vehicles get flooded all the time - doesn't even have to be a hurricane. This is where I remind everyone much of New Orleans is below mean sea level. If you're ever down in the French Quarter, hard by the Mississippi River and you want to look at the river boats, cruise ships and never-ending line of freighters, you have to climb UP a 20 foot levee. Indeed, it is a very odd feeling sitting on the ground floor of Jax Brewery watching an LSU game and you can see the tops of huge freighters cruising slowly by and they are ABOVE you.

Anyway, a very very good way to tell if a vehicle has been flooded is to unroll the seat belt ALL THE WAY. There is way more belt than you usually "use" just buckling up. The bottom part attached to the B-pillar base by the door sill almost never gets unrolled from its enclosure. If it ever sat in water, you will see the evidence clear as day on the seat belt once it is completely unrolled. People are deft at changing out or drying out and cleaning carpet - but the seat belt enclosure is overlooked in 99.9% of cases.

 

@Chew - The Honda dealership that has the truck will let me get an evaluation (from anywhere we want). So, I thought a Toyota service dept might be my best bet as they certainly should be familiar with Tacomas even more so than our mechanic.

 

given the reports that most body shops are massively backed up, I would be inclined to think it is a minor thing
I would be much more at ease buying a known truck with a minor ding than a brand new unproven truck

 

If the truck was traded at the Honda dealer perhaps you could get the original owners contact information, speak to them personally and answer all your questions.
They sold the truck so they have no reason to lie to you.

 

What kind of accident was it?

 

Maybe consider going down a level or two in the trim level but buying new? The difference in interest rates and the warranty cost and the resale value down the road of a 3rd gen versus a 4th gen might make getting new a better choice.

 

this.

the important aspect isn't that it has an accident in it's history. it depends entirely on what was damaged, and more specifically, how it was repaired.

toyota has a repair procedure for every component on the vehicle. if it was followed, as most good body shops will do, that truck is just as good as a showroom-fresh 2023.

 

ah okay, very good

GL

 

Exactly. Inevitably something will have to be replaced/repaired, and I would wonder if it was in any way related to that “minor accident”.

Here is one truth about Carfax, whether you endorse them or despise them. A “clean” Carfax DOES NOT guarantee that a vehicle has never been damaged. But the converse does hold some value. If something is noted on Carfax, then the vehicle definitely had repairs (how “minor” is anyone’s guess).

My thoughts exactly. Call me paranoid, but I don’t buy the “kids” story. When my son was in a car seat, we managed to put him in the back of a 1996 Mustang, which is smaller than a Tacoma. And when my son was in high school, someone smashed into his Challenger and destroyed the rear bumper and left rear fender. The other driver’s insurance covered the repairs but it never drove the same, so I traded it shortly afterwards. My son loved that car, and if it had been fully restored to its original condition, I would have kept it. But I dumped it as quickly as I could, at the highest value it would ever have. The history behind OP’s Tacoma sounds very familiar…

 

Hello all.

So, this is what we plan to do (subject to change). Tonight, my wife and I have plans to test drive a 2024 TRD OR. Tomorrow morning (if things work out well) we will take the used Tacoma to the neighboring Toyota dealership for a pre-purchase inspection. Is there any kind of 'other' inspection I should tell them about? In any event, if the inspection turns out favorable - we may go for that Tacoma. But that is not etched in stone. If the inspection is not favorable and/or we like the 2024 much better, we may go for the 2024. Although, if we go for a 2024, I will put off the purchase as I do believe prices on those trucks will drop.

As for the psychology involved in the accident and selling the truck 3 months later..it's tough to get in people's heads. I could certainly see an accident of any degree may make a person very much consider a safer, more 'people hauler'. And I believe they did trade it in on, maybe Odessey?? I can't remember but it was a more 'people' car. However, I do agree it seems a bit odd to sell the Truck that quickly after the accident.

Thanks all

 

My guess is and certainly would be confirmed - is that the trucks remaining balance of the original Toyota warranty would be transferred to me. However, would Toyota be able to void any warranty claims since the truck had been in an accident?

 

Flood damage, I would run

 

When you take it to the dealer for inspection just ask them. They should be able to look it up on their computer and tell you if it has warranty or not.

 

One last thought, before leaving for your pre-sale inspection, pop the hood. Both fenders and the hood have bolts that are factory painted. If any of them appear to have been wrenched, that’s a clue. If they have all been wrenched, might be a good time to walk away, saving you a trip to the Toyota dealership.

 

Thank you for the link @chris.thomas85 - it does appear most of their used trucks are certified. I will keep an eye on their inventory.

 

Adding on to this I would check to see if any of the airbags popped, and if the did, were they replaced?! You'd be surprised at how many are just cut away and never replaced. Going further down that rabbit hole...if the bags were replaced, did they also replace the airbag control module (ACM)?? Most places fail to take that last step and it should always be replaced if the airbags went off.

 

Thank you everyone for the Carfax info and what to look for prior to the inspection. I am hoping to get the the dealership tomorrow and get some pictures.