Intro & odometer help

Hi everyone,
Long time Toyota enthusiast and recently added a ‘05 Sequoia Limited to the roster.
I absolutely love the truck and had been on the hunt for a clean, low(er) mileage Sequoia for a while before stumbling across it on Facebook. The truck is listed as having 184k miles and that is what I have on the odometer.
I went almost immediately and did a quick test drive and once over…I definitely got a little shady vibe from the seller (small hole-in-the-wall dealer), but in my mind the truck is what it is regardless of who’s selling it…so I trusted my gut and bought it. Actually runs like a top and is in great condition for its age. I bought it knowing the timing belt and ball joints all need done, lots of basic maintenance, and I used that to negotiate.
Fast forward to a few days later when I finally get around to paying for a CarFax…yes, I should have done it BEFORE buying the truck, but I didn’t…and come to find out the service records (which are plentiful..well maintained) show it has 249k miles.
I called the last dealership to deal with it and their records confirm 249k miles, at which time they sold it to an auction and then on to my sketchy local friend. I’m working to get all the documentation I can from the previous sales, although I have to say the folks I’ve talked to throughout the day have been less than helpful.
I’ve seen YouTube info on how digital odometers can be reset or manipulated pretty easily;ywith a plug-in type scanner. My question is this; does anyone know if there is a “deeper” or more secure part of the computer or memory that could be scanned to verify anything. I’ve called several dealers and gotten next to no help. I called the Toyota Brand Engagement customer service number and got even less…so any experience with something like this would be greatly appreciated.
I don’t necessarily want to give the truck back - I probably would have bought it with the correct mileage, but I don’t want some huckster doing this to other people, and I don’t want to get stuck if I end up wanting to sell it down the road.
Thanks in advance.

 

The mileage is stored in the instrument cluster. They may have swapped in a new cluster.

 

Unfortunately not. The mileage is stored in the instrument cluster only. I will say, it’s much easier just to swap out the instrument cluster than it is to attempt to manipulate it. You probably don’t have the original cluster, sadly.

Good news is, 249k is not bad. That’s about right for that year and these are great trucks. Obviously, you know because you’ve researched the tbelt and ball joints. Still really sucks for you. Many states have legal recourse for you to take action against the buyer, entitling you to a refund. Look into that

 

(Edit disregard didn’t get the truck was already bought! Yeah at that point just is what it is) If you got evidence to support higher mileage then let them know and make an offer based on that mileage. Otherwise would walk and try to find a private seller situation which can be tough with the gen 1 Sequoias.

 

OP already bought the truck

 

Lol whoops. Misread that part.

 

When you bought the truck, was there an odometer statement that you and the dealer signed? Or was there an ODO disclaimer form? Even if there is neither as a standalone, the bill of sale or buyers order should have a spot to fill in the odometer reading. If it says 184k on those forms and you have proof it’s not, you’ve got a case.

 

Thanks much for all the help! No, there is no odometer statement or any kind of disclaimer that anything like that was an issue.
Lesson learned..will continue to run it down and let you know what the end result is later.
In the meantime I’ll work on a few intro pics of my “new” crush.

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama)! In Alabama, the odometer statement literally says it applies only if the odometer reading is less than 100,000 miles. Probably leftover language from the 1970's.

 

Yep. So I didn’t know that a new federal law was passed in 2021 which basically removes the requirement of disclosing mileage on older vehicles…anything older than 2011 I believe. Technically it’s still a crime to knowingly falsify the odometer or represent fictitious mileage, but the title only says “EXEMPT” in the spot where the mileage would typically go. If there is a discrepancy the seller is supposed to disclose that and add a statement indicating that…but it’s clear to me after several days of legwork who did it (or at least knew about it). But I’ll take the hit and say it’s on me for not checking ahead of time.
Still love the rig though…She’s getting all new ball joints, bearings, belts, etc. as we speak so besides keeping track of maintenance intervals, I don’t plan on paying much attention to that odometer.

 

May not have been nefarious intent. Grand scheme of things 60k miles is not a lot on these trucks anyway. As long as you didn’t overpay based on mileage, who cares.

 

Indeed. Thanks again, all.