Buying Used-Checklist?

I looked at low mile (33k) 2021 over the weekend at a Chevy dealership. They were closed so I got to spend a little bit of time looking at the outside of it. I couldn’t get under the front of it though as it was parked over a mud puddle in their overflow lot. It didn’t look like it had the cam tower leak at least on the driver side, but there might have been a drip on the skid plate, couldn’t reach it without getting muddy though.

Has anyone put together a check list to take with them when looking at a used truck? I know the big things like checking the frame for rust, looking for leaks, etc. But if I don’t have everything written down I’ll forget 1/2 of it at least. I haven’t bought a used vehicle ever and I’m not a young guy by any means so I’m a bit stressed out about buying a used truck with some lurking issue, like it doesn’t go into 4 lo because the previous owner never used it. I’m sure this probably comes up often, and I saw the sticky over on the gen 1 forum.
Also is it worth paying a bit extra for a Toyota gold certified vehicle? Does it cover the major things?

 

Certified will come with additional warranty. Worth it? Debatable on one of the least problematic vehicles made. I bought my 2019 certified used at 2 years old with 41k miles on it and never went back to the dealer.

Rust is a watch out.
Worth checking for Cam tower leaks, but pretty rare on a 2021.
Look for previous owner mods.
Missing hardware under the front end from careless oil changes.
Broken windshield.
Overspray from prior repairs.
Tire wear and mismatch tires or cheapy china brand tires.
Make sure the spare and tire tools are still there.
make sure all of the electrical doodads work.
Check for unusual vibrations when driving, off center steering wheel etc.
Check the 4wd system operation. Cycle into 4hi and drive forward. Cycle into 4Lo and make sure you don’t get the blinkys and the system switches to the lower gear ratio. Cycle back into 4hi, then 2lo. Even if it’s a little clunky or sluggish, as long as it shifts you’re good. Prior owner may not have used it, you can begin exercising it if you purchase.
Carfax is worth it, but it’s just one source.
Good luck with your search!

 

All of what @KNABORES said and Test drive.
Let the engine warm up some, and then go find an on-ramp and get on the go pedal. How it revs/downshifts and sounds will give you a good idea of what kind of condition it’s in.

Hard brake. Can give you an idea of frame/alignment and brake issues.
At 33k miles the truck is still eligible for Toyota platinum warranty (search the forum for the contact to get pricing info). I think it will allow you to go to 10 years and 120k or 150k (from original service date). Bumper to bumper minus wear items.
Welcome and good luck

 

it’s 3/36? Right? So possibly out of the 3 year window now depending when it was bought? Would it still be possible via Jerry to get it if it is out of the service date?

 

Correct. But I don’t know how strict the 3 year thing is when getting the extended, I think it’s more mileage focused (within reason) - but don’t hold me to that . It’s definitely worth checking out.

I don’t remember what my original service date was on my 19, but I purchased in April 22 so assuming it was purchased any time end of 18 through March of 2019 I wouldn’t have been eligible- but that wasn’t the case for me.

 

Yeah figure if the vehicle doesn’t sell before I get a chance to look at it I will walk next door and ask the Toyota dealership if they can pull up any history on it etc.

 

A lot of us with 20-21's have had issues with the front diff's needle bearing. It will make a harmonic "woosh-woosh" sound when driving in 2WD. Throw it in 4WD and if the sound goes away, you got the issue.

The other thing I'd check is that the cat's are original. This applies to all Tundras.

 

Check the airbox. I had one where there was no air filter in it. Whoever changed it forgot to put it back in.

 

I bought a vehicle that was 5 years old and had 100k miles on it. Still had the factory air filter in it. Still had the factory cabin air filter in it. And I bought it at a dealer with a “pre-delivery inspection” performed.

 

you could, get the vin number and go on Toyota Service history website and lookup any service records that might exist
Also from with the site under the "owners" tab look at vehicle specs to see "Date of first use". The 3/36 will be based on that date.

 

I didn't know there was a 2lo setting, only 2hi.

Dan

 

Last time I tried doing that it added the truck I was looking at to my vehicles and then was kind of a pain figuring out how to delete it. Must be better way than how I did it.

 

Yeah..navigating that owner's site sucks so bad.

 

If you are past either 3 years or 36,000 miles, you are not eligible for the factory extended warranty. Manufacture date should be found on the door jamb label.

Two suggestions.
Carfax and an independent mechanic or service to inspect. Many offer mobile services. Has been more than worth it twice for me. Due diligence always first however.

 

You’re probably right on the strictness of the 3/36k. But I do believe it’s a service (purchased) date vs manufacture date

 

Truth. #typofosho