Toyota's Buyers Inspections???

[ICD]

Anyone here work at Toyota or had one of these "Buyers Inspections" done before at a Dealeeship. They go for about $110

I've called a couple dealers and each give me different answered as far what is done.

The wife and I have been looking for a 3rd gen and have read the buyers guide on here several times in the past 3 weeks since on the market. This will be my wife's daily so those issue are a big concern for me.

Any and all help would be much appreciated.

Vehicle in question

Just for reference


4runners

99 Limited

97 SR5

I'm out in PHX AZ

Thanks in advance

ICD.

 

[ICD]

Little info, we are leaning towards a 99 2wd Limited with 181k currently priced at $6800. Our second option is a much cheaper 98 2wd SR5 w/ 225k for $3600.

I know huge gap but the market in PHX is a little weak

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Option 1, even with a ton of maintenance is over priced IMO. Option 2 could be a great deal if up to date on maintenance, not a terrible deal if it isn't.

 

[4-Ripcord]

option 1 is way overpriced imo, take at least a grand off.

 

[ICD]

option 1 is way overpriced imo, take at least a grand off.

Thanks for your awesome buyers guide thread. :trophy:

Option 1 is over priced and hope to negotiate the price down, I am willing to pay a little more than KBB for the right vehicle but at list price it's $1300 over. But is probably the nicest 4R for sale right now.

Option 2 isn't pretty at all only maintenance record is T belt done in march of 12. Option 1 has all belts and hoses done within the last year and a half.

Still no matter what options I end up going with, I want to take it to Toyota but need some more info on the "buyers inspection"

 

[4-Ripcord]

one other thing you can do to get more maintenance records is set up an account at the toyota owners website and input VINs of trucks you are looking at. Thats what the dealers report to when doing work so all dealer work should be there even if its not on carfax or the like.

I mentioned it in the buyers guide but its easy to miss.

 

[ICD]

Just for reference


4runners

99 Limited

97 SR5

Had a Black 2000 SR5 w/ sport package lined up but guy sold it. To someone who didn't mind the knock sensor issue. That one sold for 6300

Currently have those 3 ^^ vehicle on Toyota owners(from your thread) but all have limited service done at the dealers with the exception on the 99 4R had some electrical things taken car of.

 

[ICD]

Anyone else????

 

[ICD]

Help a brotha out

 

[4-Ripcord]

What exactly are you asking for im confused

 

[ICD]

If anyone has an idea as far as what goes into Toyotas "Buyers Inspections" I've called a couple dealers in town and all give me different answers. So I'm wondering of anyone has any experience with them or done them and if its a good $100 spent for what they check.

Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Ed_C]

I was a tech at Lexus and every used car had a basic inspection done,even the biggest pieces of crap going to auction or sold as-is. Charging for an additional inspection seems like a load of BS. I'd ask the dealer what exactly they're inspecting.

 

[SCRunner12]

I got one done once and IMO it wasn't worth it. Yeah they told me the valve covers were leaking, but that is pretty obvious. They didn't mention the tires need replacing, which they did. I'd take it to a smaller Toyota specialized shop, as they will be cheaper and really want to look at it.

 

[ICD]

I was a tech at Lexus and every used car had a basic inspection done,even the biggest pieces of crap going to auction or sold as-is. Charging for an additional inspection seems like a load of BS. I'd ask the dealer what exactly they're inspecting.

I've asked a couple and really haven't gotten a solid answer. Pretty much we look over it and drive it and tell you if it falls apart.

I got one done once and IMO it wasn't worth it. Yeah they told me the valve covers were leaking, but that is pretty obvious. They didn't mention the tires need replacing, which they did. I'd take it to a smaller Toyota specialized shop, as they will be cheaper and really want to look at it.

I've asked other and pretty told me they give it the good ole eye ball test. Which I for the most part can do myself. I am a little more interested in the checking of ball joints, compression, emissions and electrical.

Thanks for your replies

 

[the great him]

I've asked a couple and really haven't gotten a solid answer. Pretty much we look over it and drive it and tell you if it falls apart.




I've asked other and pretty told me they give it the good ole eye ball test. Which I for the most part can do myself. I am a little more interested in the checking of ball joints, compression, emissions and electrical.

Thanks for your replies

for that kinda stuff your gonna be paying a fair amount for... not shop wants to just inspect a vehicle for purchase, they cant sell parts or repairs that way and they know it. -also if they give you the all clear, knowing it has issues, in hopes that you buy it, they know you wont bring it back to them to get fixed. so there again no profit. yeah sure they make a little money on that $110 they charge you to look it over ect, but really thats nothing compared to the $5-600 the could charge someone else for doing actual repairs...

these trucks/SUVs are pretty dependable even with higher miles, that being said taking a good look at the trucks appearance and the owners appearance will tell you a lot about how well the vehicle was taken care of -also look at their other cars in the drive way garage... if they are all run down and messy then they might not take such good car of things, but if its clean and all the other vehicles are clean and in good shape my bet is they probably take care of things. -if i were to sell my 4runner, id have next to nothing for records other than the occasional invoice here and there for things ive bought. but i have taken good car of my truck and keep it looking nice -most people who care about something will let it show even if they do all the work them selfs and dont take it to the dealer. just because the dealer worked on it doesnt mean it was done right. ive seen some guys who work at dealers as "techs" that have no business around vehicles and shouldnt even work at a lube shop (i worked at a BMW/mini dealer for a while). a dealer can screw something up just as easily as the guy turning a wrench in his own garage...

 

[SoCal]

I have done a couple of pre purchase inspections and to me they were worth it. Even if you have to inspect a couple trucks I would rather spend $300 to not have a truck with a problem that could cost $1000 plus. Not everyone is as mechanically inclined as some of the guys on here so it is nice to have someone take a close look.

just so you know they will give you a print out of everything they checked and what they recommend. They will tell you that anything not OEM Toyota will need to be replaced, this doesn't mean it is bad, just that they want you to have toyota stuff.

I say go for it, after you do your own walk around.

 

[ICD]

Thanks for your input.

Much appreciated. Hopefully I will be in 4r club by today

 

[ICD]

Well everything checked out on the 99 limited and got for 6300