inspecting a higher mileage, reasonably new 2021 tundra for sale

I recently found a 2021 Tundra for sale I'm keen to buy. I've been a toyota truck fan forever, previously had a tacoma I ran forever, recently had a disasterous stint with nissan (I went with the cummins 5.0L XD... long story longer motor blew at 131,000kms), and now looking to get a late model 2nd gen tundra I can hopefully keep and love for many years. I don't drive much, around 12,000 kms a year, but, it will be a work truck used mostly to haul tools.

Anyways, this one I found is a 2021 but already has 110,000kms. That seems fairly high mileage for a truck only a few years old. What are common concerns I should look for when going to check out this truck? I've read about oil leaks between engine and transmission being an issue, and electrical issues. I don't trust the selling dealership's pre-sale inspection to tell me anything meaningful. There is a full service history for the truck at one dealdership so it looks like it was well maintained.

 

Cam tower leak is really only big concern with the v8 trucks. Even then, a seep is no big deal....actual leak would be an issue. Ive not really seen much about prevalent electrical issues or other common leaks with the 2.5 gen. Sometimes the wheel speed sensors or wiring go bad, get hit with road stuff or whatever. Their location is the reason and some have installed aftermarket covers for them for more protection. They are solid v8 trucks.

Rust of course
Usual checks for leaks, bushings, etc. as for any used purchase, though these are not specific issues for this model.

 

Thanks, appreciate the info. Will look in to the cam tower leak.

 

5.7s can have water pump leakage problems/failure but other than the stuff mentioned above not much

 

Valley plate coolant leak, flood damage, water in rear diff. if previously backing in boat. Look at paint wear on the hitch safety chain loops for towing frequency, maybe hard on tranny. Look at rubber on brake pedal for sign of excessive city driving.

 

Doesn't seem like it's driven excessive. That's only 65000 miles. That's nothing for the 5.7.

Better grab it before someone else does the math.

 

Service / maintenance intervals. Diffs, trans drain, etc done at 30 or 60k (at least) especially the transmission due to lack of external cooler that was removed in the 2019MY - if the truck towed a lot;

As others have mentioned the cam tower thing, seep is a non-issue - a true leak could be but those are unicorns. Door lock actuators went on my 2014 in like 2017/2018; Otherwise the 2014 and now my 2019 have been rock solid;

A quirk with the 2020, 2021 MYs is that the push button start won't allow a "remote start" work around where the truck doesn't shut off when you open the door. But other than that, if the above and previously mentioned things check out, and the price is right - send it.

 

Have you entered the VIN into the Toyota owners.com website to access all the dealer service performed on this truck?

You only need the VIN and you don't have own the truck to check.

 

My truck has zero anything serviced at dealer. Take it as a praise, as they broke nothing in my truck See the truck you buy in person, crawl under, talk to the owner.

 

We are the exception to that.

Most peeps who buy a new truck will take it to the dealer during the warranty period.

 

I did that with our less than year old $70k Sequoia. Had to open a damage claim with insurance after that. Couple of months of fighting and they admitted and fixed everything, but, man...

 

I did that the first service with Tundra and wife's Venza, just that first 5000 miles.
After that, unless something broke and it is covered under extended warranty that I failed to remember or something that my local shop refuses to touch and advise me to go dealer, I am not going within 5 miles of a dealership. (OK, I do drive by it on the highway, but that's their fault building there, not mine. I have to get home, one way or another, and this way is long enough, let's not make it longer)

 

Same here, never. I have a few years of experience as a mechanic (back in the day, old school) and I know my way around a vehicle for regular basic service/repair. Since Toyotas (at least in my case since the mid 70s) seldom need anything more than basic maintenance, I'm good with that.

Dan