Should I buy? 2013 Platinum w/140k miles, $12k

I just sold my '09 Sequoia with the intention of buying a Tundra and I think I've found a good one, but I'd like some input first.

This truck has 140k miles on it. It's been in an accident, although the CarFax checks out and shows that the accident was minor - front of the truck hit a tree. As far as I know there were no airbags deployed. The truck seems to run and drive fine, doors all open and close properly, etc. It looks like the grill was possibly replaced and some metal under the hood (near the battery compartment) has been re-shaped back into place, and the headlight is new.

My concern is that I've never bought a vehicle that has been in an accident. I'm not entirely sure what to look for or what to be cautious about. For $12,000 including TTL is this a decent deal? Should I avoid it? What should I look for or consider?


Thanks for your help!

 

Frame? Engine bay? Interior condition?

 

As far as I can tell the frame wasn't damaged (although, I'm not REALLY knowledgeable on what to look for here beyond obvious visual issues). The engine bay was repaired near the front drivers' side headlight and battery compartment. The interior appears to be in fantastic condition.

 

Be sure to check thoroughly for electrical gremlins as well. My wife was involved in a collision in a land cruiser, body shop did a great job repairing the metal, paint, and mechanical, but the electrical gremlins started and haunted us until we traded it in. I can deal with body and paint work if it drives well after repairs, the electrical issues were a PIA.

 

Finding a place that's open for inspection during this pandemic is quite difficult...I'm going to keep calling around, but do you have any advice on what specifically to look for myself (other than what's already been mentioned)?

 

If it was a minor hit, it’s probably not a big deal. Probably have a new headlight, new fender liner and maybe fog light. If it was a harder hit, you probably have a new fender and hood and some paint work. Do you know how to spot paint work? Easiest way is to clean it very well and look for imperfections... compare to the other side of the truck. Also look for paint that is cracked off of the heads of the bolts on that side of the truck under the hood... the fenders just bolt on. Compare the driver side and passenger side headlights... look closely at the grill... look at all the bolt heads... look for VIN stickers that are on one side but not the other... symmetry And consistency is made in a factory... asymmetry comes from aftermarket repairs IMO.... etc. Or if you’re not sure how to look, ask a friend who does. And keep in mind there are probably 5 trucks out there with no accident history you can find if you’re patient. In that sense, IMO there has to be something about THIS truck that makes it good And outweighs the accident on the Carfax. IDK.. this is personal. It the service history exemplary? The price and mileage great? The exact color/options you want? Whatever floats your boat.

IMO, I wouldn’t be too worried about it if everything looks right and it really turns out to have been a minor hit that was fixed right. OTOH, if you can notice metal structures under the hood that have been fixed half-a$$ed with a slide hammer, chances are they fixed it on the cheap. No reputable body shop would let a proper fix out the door that a person who hasn’t been around auto repairs would notice IMo... so when you say you can see the attempted repairs under the hood... that would worry me about the rest of the repair. Good luck... my two cents anyway.

 

Thanks for the input so quickly! I've found a trusted mechanic that can take a look at it right away and do a multi-point inspection. If it all checks out that's a win...if he suggests that I walk away that's a win too because it'll save me the headaches down the road! WIN-WIN!

 

If ur that worried about move on, that being said 12k for a '13 Tundra is unheard of.

 

i got 2012 SR5 WITH 116k and the dealer wouldnt budge from 20. i actually left.....but i came back lol

 

And as always, when purchasing a used vehicle, be sure to test everything out. All the knobs, switches, seat adjustments, whatever.. just to make sure some wiring didn’t come loose. Front end collision, be sure to find a straight stretch of road test out the 4wd. Most likely fine, but you never know what was jolted in the hit.. especially a tree.

 

That is a Steal of a Deal if it all checks out !!

 

Well, I'm sure glad I followed the advice and got that truck checked out!

Once the truck was up in the air I could see all the issues - frame bent and cracked in 2 places, axles throwing grease all over the place and leaking some fluid, I counted at least 12 junkyard parts, the shop pointed out some bad welds, and a few other things that just made this truck all wrong. The mechanic indicated that there was at least $10k in repairs that still need to be done!

Thanks for all the help! I guess it's time to go back and start looking for another one...

 

It's one of those too good to be true vehicles. When I looked for my Tundra in CL, I made sure none of my searches included reconstructed titles. If I didn't those outnumbered the good ones. There's a lot of sketchy sellers that buy and sell wrecked vehicles in my area.

 

Agreed. LOTS of those in the Portland area when I was looking.

This price seemed extraordinarily low. I paid 18k for an 08 Limited with 80k miles. I’d expect a 14 Platinum to be at least as much, given the mileage.

 

I could tell you why but I could get banned for pointing out there's a certain nationality here that is notorious for making such shoddy repairs.

 

No need to elaborate. I saw the same thing in the Missoula area on Facebook Marketplace.

 

@eyerly I spent about three months watching listings prior to buying mine. I don’t know about your area, but in the PNW the Tundra market is very strong.

Know your book values, and if you see a vehicle markedly under these you can safely assume something is wrong with it or it warrants a thorough inspection as you wisely did. Odds are good you’ll watch these “deals” sit on the lot for a very long time. Call ahead and ask if it’s a salvage title to save some driving and time.

 

Exactly right! Every used Toyota I purchased I have had a Toyota Dealer check out. I never regretted it. I consider it money well spent. Be sure to give them the Carfax and any other info you have.

 

I would try find out the date of the accident also..

 

If the truck is good and legit that is an absolutely amazing deal. I paid a hell of a lot more for my 2013 with 115k back in September. Sounds to good to be true

whoops sorry didn’t see your post saying you got it checked out and it was serious trouble, congrats man almost a better feeling knowing you dodged a bullet, woofta

 

It was too good be true...

 

Well done for listening to your gut and getting it checked out properly. Putting it on a lift was the only true method of doing a thorough inspection.

$12k for a 2013 140k miles already sounded suspect.