When buying - prior accidents on Carfax?

[CAW]

Newbie here… Long time lurker... This is my first post.

I am in the market for a used 200 series. I have been mainly looking at 2011-2013 in the sub $35k price range. I’m looking in that range so that I can budget for some new tires, lift, sliders, etc… Thanks to this forum – I have been watching out for bottom rust, cracked radiators, bad starters, and water pumps.

A couple of times – I have seen trucks that look well taken care of, clean interiors, and have good service records. However – damage does show up on the associated Carfax. Wrecks that have damage occur - but not severe enough that the airbags deploy.

To my question – how much prior damage keeps you from considering one of these trucks?

 

[atsparkinson]

Depends on how detailed the report is. As long as there is no frame damage it should really impact much. Keep in mind it will have an impact on trade-in / resale value... but you can leverage that to your advantage in negotiating the price. I have purchased a BMW that had a report on Carfax and didn't have any issues. I lost maybe $1500 in possible trade in later but knocked off nearly 6k off of KBB. My strategy is to put into KBB the vehicle info (to figure out what it is worth... select the "Fair Option" to get some level of devaluation from the car fax... look at the "Trade-in" price... and just make sure you are getting the car for less than that. Also remember to drive it around to make sure they aren't hiding damage and look at all the seams to make sure the bodywork was done properly. You can also likely find out where the work was done if it was a local trade in. Bring all of that data to the dealer and work from there!

Hope this helps.

 

[40Man]

A car could have significant damage without the airbags going off. Personally, I wouldn't buy a car with damage on the Carfax unless the buyer or Carfax has detailed records on the repair. That way you can really see what you are getting into. If it was a minor accident (bumper replaced, etc.) no big deal. If it damaged items in the engine bay (radiator, ac, etc.) I'd be more likely to find a different one, even though the car is probably fine. Unless as ATS above stated, you can leverage it to a great deal.

 

[absolvo]

A car could have significant damage without the airbags going off. Personally, I wouldn't buy a car with damage on the Carfax unless the buyer or Carfax has detailed records on the repair. That way you can really see what you are getting into. If it was a minor accident (bumper replaced, etc.) no big deal. If it damaged items in the engine bay (radiator, ac, etc.) I'd be more likely to find a different one, even though the car is probably fine. Unless as ATS above stated, you can leverage it to a great deal.

I bought one that had damage reported on CARFAX and also had the list of parts that were replaced from the Toyota site. I had a body shop independently check out the quality of work to make sure the work was done correctly and there was no hidden damage.

 

[CAW]

Lots of solid advice... Thanks everybody!

 

[speyrod]

When I was looking plenty had great service records many had damage. I bought one with zero accidents and good services history. If accidents show in a carfax it wouldn't default the vehicle to the discard bin. I would however validate the VINs on the body panels. If they had been replaced I would be cautious. I now have a minor minor blemish in my rear bumper from a parking lot. I am going to get an estimate for repair, if the shop says they would replace the bumper etc I may use it to fund bumper. That would show up in a future carfax, sometimes an owner is super picky and want the smallest thing repaired.

 

[Chocolate]

Always check the Toyota/Lexus online service history.

Many times, you will see evidence of collision repair that does not show up in the Carfax.

The other giveaway is a bumper cover that doesn't match. While they can sometimes change in color from metal panels somewhat (especially at 10 years and beyond), it is still very difficult to completely color match a replaced bumper cover.