Nearly New Second Hand Car - Considering Skipping Pre-Purchase Auto Inspection - Yay or Nay?

LBobbyk87 on 22/10/2023 - 07:11
Last edited 25/10/2023 - 09:09 by 1 other user

I'm going to look at a 2021 toyota that has done 41 km (that's not 41000km…it's 41km. People run further in a marathon than this car's done in it's life).

Given the low k's that it's done, would you bother with a pre-purchase inspection?

Context:
Seller is quite keen to sell, and car is priced quite well. Has one other interested buyer who needs to go via finance (whilst I have $ in the bank to pay). They've said they'd go with whoever can pay first. In an ideal world, I would want to get a prepurchase inspection, but by time I get it done, possible that car may have gone to another buyer…so considering skipping it given it's nearly new in terms of kms.

Thanks.

P.S. I am aware of this previous post (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/804330), but felt this instance of a practically new car vs car under factory warranty warrants separate post.

Update: According to comment the correct mileage is 41000km not 41km

Poll Options

  • 269
    Yes - Get a prepurchase inspection
  • 72
    No - Car so new, don't worry about it.
Automotive

Comments

  • jakka on 22/10/2023 - 07:20
    +14

    Yes, absolutely. It could have been in an accident, or some other issue which is why they are keen to sell. Warranty will cover manufacture issues, but not if the current owner has caused issues.

    • Name on 24/10/2023 - 16:43

      Exactly! I nearly bought a car that was priced well and looked great, only few years old, test drove well. Got an inspection on it and it had been in a major accident and was basically two cars welded together in the middle. The inspector said "run", as it wasn't even a good weld job. ALWAYS get an inspection done.

  • JIMB0 on 22/10/2023 - 07:27
    +55

    Why has it only got 41km? Quite possibly some kind of scam, especially as you say the price is good.

    • Gunnar on 22/10/2023 - 07:55
      +6

      This is my question as well. That car has brand new kms on it

      Where I wouldn’t be surprised if something like this happened would be on a collectible car and the owner bought for speculation purposes? Manual Supra comes to mind but they were not released in Australia in 2021. Possibly also a 200 series Landcruiser. BUT chances are if they bought the car to leave around and speculate then they wouldn’t need the money to sell so soon as it definitely has not done what they wanted it to do yet

      It really sounds dodgy!

    • Bobbyk87 on 22/10/2023 - 08:46

      Yeah, I agree it's unusually low km, and want to ask in person about why they are selling and why such low km, to get a vibe. They're in St Kilda, so it is conceivable they just don't need to drive. And now want to go overseas or something.

      Re: it being a scam, how would that work - i.e. if I see the car in person, do a PPSR check when I get the VIN, check the service log, see proof of ownership. I'm not just sending them money via payID for a car I haven't seen…

      • elgrande on 22/10/2023 - 09:01
        +18

        They're in St Kilda, so it is conceivable they just don't need to drive

        Open your eyes. Thats approx 56 metres per day accross 2 years.

        • Slinky0111 on 22/10/2023 - 20:49

          Not unheard of. Purchased my partner's motorbike in 2022. It was a 2017 model with 400kms on it.

        • bazingaa on 24/10/2023 - 10:48

          I usually only drive around 1000 km per year, and my car is 19 years old.

          • Antikythera on 25/10/2023 - 00:00

            @bazingaa: do you use "pay as you drive" insurance. with such low km per year it would be cheap as chips.

            it also rolls over into the next year if you don't use the KM you pay for. I usually drive 5k km per year and my insurance is around $800. couple of years ago I topped it up to 15k km, for the year, instead as I went on a couple of long trips and last year I forgot to lower it back down to 5k km. so this year I've just renewed with 1k km added and it only cost me $600. I still have about 12k km total in my rollover pool.

            • bazingaa on 25/10/2023 - 00:36
              +1

              @Antikythera: I have AAMI full insurance, $380 this year, I think I selected as 5k km or some thing like that.

      • Gunnar on 22/10/2023 - 09:04
        +15

        41km is not buying a car and not needing it. 41km is buying a car and literally doing nothing with it. That car has delivery kms on it

        What car is it? There’s a couple of cars that would legitimately be bought and left there because the buyer was speculating for it to increase due to a lack of supply (the ones I mentioned above, RAV4 and a GR Yaris as well).

        • JimmyF on 22/10/2023 - 09:54
          +6

          41km is not buying a car and not needing it. 41km is buying a car and literally doing nothing with it. That car has delivery kms on it

          I've seen new cars arrive at dealers with more than 41kms on the clock. So I fully agree, seems strange to buy a new car and then not drive it at all. Not even once for a day trip.

          • Gunnar on 22/10/2023 - 10:19
            +4

            @JimmyF: It's not that uncommon a practice for car collectors and speculators. Have a look at how many of the last v8 Holdens and HSVs are available with delivery kms on it (esp. the latter). Ditto 70 Series Landcruisers (and the cars I've listed above)

            BUT if the OP is making this post I'd hazard a guess that he is not after these cars

            • JimmyF on 22/10/2023 - 10:23
              +1

              @Gunnar:

              It's not that uncommon a practice for car collectors and speculators

              Agree, but this doesn't seem to be the case here.

      • Muzeeb on 22/10/2023 - 09:31

        I agree it's unusually low km, and want to ask in person about why they are selling

        Why? Just call them now and ask. FFS.

        • Protractor on 22/10/2023 - 09:48

          That question is the wall we all bang our heads on.
          But I guess unless OP is getting this car at $15K (min) off the RRP price, he's just buying an obvious problem. I'll wait for that new thread ,later.

        • RTX9090Ti on 24/10/2023 - 19:50

          OP is rather asking the public forum than the seller lol.

      • JimmyF on 22/10/2023 - 09:55
        +11

        want to ask in person about why they are selling and why such low km, to get a vibe

        Wait what!? You have spoken about paying for it but haven't asked why it only has 41km on the clock!!?

      • vengeance88 on 23/10/2023 - 09:27

        Winding back the odometer?

        • RTX9090Ti on 24/10/2023 - 19:51

          easy with just $250 gadget on ebay.

      • opt on 24/10/2023 - 17:15

        it being a scam, how would that work - i.e. if I see the car in person, do a PPSR check when I get the VIN, check the service log

        Service books can be faked, you can buy a blank from eBay and fill it up with anything you like. Also if the car hasn't been serviced at a Toyota dealership or hasn't been sold before, then there won't be any record of prior odometer readings, so there is nothing to check against.

        If the car only has 41kms, or essentially brand new, then there shouldn't be any wear on that car which is fairly easy to check. Everything should look brand new, i.e: no crease marks on the seats, no wear on the paddles, carpets, steering wheel, seat belts and buckles, gear shifter, knobs and buttons etc.., the engine bay should also look brand new with no oil stains or faded stickers etc.. wheel wells, wheels, suspension components and under body should also be pretty clean.

        As others have said 41kms is essentially brand new car millage, My most recent new car had 12km on the clock when I bought it and by the time I drove it home it already had over 40km, because the dealership was 30km ~ 40mins away.

    • furyou on 22/10/2023 - 20:42
      +2

      Exactly. A car worth x but seller wants to sell you for much less, because there are no other buyers in the world? Why do people always think the sellers a dumb idiot who doesn't know what it's worth?

    • HeWhoKnows on 23/10/2023 - 08:07
      +1

      Demonstraters have more kms

      I small something fishy

  • Tee Rex Arms on 22/10/2023 - 07:29
    +14

    Dodgy AF

  • SBOB on 22/10/2023 - 07:30
    +18

    Assuming the car and seller is actually legit, if practically hasnt moved in 2 years, and I assume also not serviced (as if would do more KMs than that just going back and forth to the dealership)

    100% I'd be having it checked, to get a quote on replacing all the consumbles, working out what's required to ensure the warranty is still valid, and verify the car exists and isn't owned by someone on an oil rig.

    • Nugs on 22/10/2023 - 07:39
      +17

      Imagine the challenges with actually being an oil rig worker, no one would believe you (apart from the gullible)
      .

  • pyramid on 22/10/2023 - 07:36
    +17

    3yr old car 41km….I'll be worried

    • Bobbyk87 on 22/10/2023 - 08:41
      -8

      Worried about what though? I agree it's unusually low km, and want to ask in person about why they are selling and why such low km, to get a vibe. They're in St Kilda, so it is conceivable they just don't need to drive. And now want to go overseas or something.

      If it has just been sitting in a garage for 2 years and not driven/serviced then maybe that's a worry? Is there anything else that would be a worry?

      If the worry that it's a scam, then meeting in person, doing a PPSR check, would guard against that.

      • barge-in hunter on 22/10/2023 - 08:46
        +1

        Yeah that’s a worry - I’m thinking lemon, as in of that 2 years, it’s been sitting 6 to 12 months at the dealership while they try to figure out some weird and wonderful fault with it

      • Malik Nasser on 22/10/2023 - 10:40
        +22

        Cars are not made to just sit around.
        They need to be started and driven around to redistribute lubrication to internal surfaces. The lubrication acts as a corrosion inhibitor. All areas which go through thermal cycles have vent values to prevent pressure buildup due to thermal expansion. As such they also draw in air which contains moisture (which is a catalyst for corrosion).
        Seals also need to be exposed to lubrication to prevent them from drying out.
        Bearings also need to be rotated, especially if loaded to prevent brinelling. Its not ideal to have roller bearings loaded for long stretches of time without redistributing the loads.
        Tires should be rotated, and not left loaded in one position (these are easy enough to replace though).
        Suspension, and especially shock absorbers may start to corrode if not actuated.
        There would be a who list of reasons why it is a bad idea to let a car sit for extended periods of time.

        I would prefer to buy a car that is a couple of years old with say 20,000km on it than something like this with only 41km on it (it is not even broken in yet).

        • Protractor on 22/10/2023 - 10:50
          -4

          It's a car not a horse/ It get's 'run in'.
          ;)

      • Logical on 22/10/2023 - 22:25
        +10

        the KM's have been rolled back. Even a new gauge cluster could have been installed. Avoid. Known scam.

        • callum9999 on 23/10/2023 - 18:13
          +1

          Surely if the KM's were rolled back they would choose a more feasible number?

          • BartholemewH on 24/10/2023 - 08:55
            +1

            @callum9999: Why, OP is fighting off others in the 'race to pay' .

            • callum9999 on 24/10/2023 - 21:04

              @BartholemewH: Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't pay any more for a car that's got 40km on the odometer than I would for a car that has, say, 1000km. Falsely claiming the car has 1000km on it is much less suspicious than falsely claiming its got 40km.

              Not to mention the issues others have posted. 1000km implies it's infrequently used. 40km says that it's never used - raising more suspicions about the condition of the car.

      • opt on 24/10/2023 - 16:58
        +1

        If it has just been sitting in a garage for 2 years and not driven/serviced then maybe that's a worry?

        Yes, if that is the case then its a huge red flag, for one if the car hasn't been serviced for 2 years there won't be any warranty on it. And consumables like oils can breakdown over time, which is why service intervals have a time component , you must service at the specified millage or time interval, which ever occurs first.

  • Sterio on 22/10/2023 - 07:50
    +3

    And how have you communicated with the seller, phone/text/email?

    If you haven’t spoken to the seller on the phone you’ve been (ph)fished, and taken the bait.

    Out of curiosity, what has the seller disclosed to you about the car, and what questions have you asked?

    • Bobbyk87 on 22/10/2023 - 08:36

      I have a number of questions including about why it's only got such low kms, whether it's been serviced according to schedule, and why selling. But I want to ask these in person to get a vibe.

      Have been communicating by text. They haven't pushed for any bank transfers/payID/etc.

      Re: getting phished - If they are willing to meet up with me and show the car, what's the risk here? I'll do a PPSR check when I get the VIN, check the service log, ask the above questions and get a vibe whether they're dodgy or something feels up.

      • pyramid on 22/10/2023 - 08:48

        If car is on car sales, you can request car history report cost $35 or similar and you will get some idea…

      • Sterio on 22/10/2023 - 09:08
        +5

        Rule number 1 when enquiring/buying a car, talk to the person. Serious buyers/sellers do not communicate by text.

      • Muzeeb on 22/10/2023 - 09:29
        +1

        check the service log

        Don't fool yourself. There will be no service log and thus no warranty.

      • JimmyF on 22/10/2023 - 09:59
        +7

        I have a number of questions including about why it's only got such low kms, whether it's been serviced according to schedule, and why selling. But I want to ask these in person to get a vibe.

        LOL Mate it hasn't been serviced if it has 41kms on the clock.

        It most likely arrived with 20-30kms on the clock at the dealer by the time it was driven from the factory to be loaded on a truck, then to the ship, then off the ship, then onto transport again and then to the dealer.

        Then 10kms to drive home say, So yeah being it needs 'servicing' every 9-12 months, it clearly hasn't done them.

  • Euphemistic on 22/10/2023 - 07:54
    +12

    There some red flags there, especially if the seller is pressuring you to buy quickly and it’s a 21 model that has dealer only kms on it plus a really good deal. There’s a chance the warranty will be an issue if it hasn’t been serviced.

    Something is amiss.

    • afoveht on 22/10/2023 - 08:51
      +9

      This. No service in 2 years = you have no warranty. Must treat it like any out of warranty car.

  • pyramid on 22/10/2023 - 08:55
    +5

    Op, where did you find this car on marketplace or Gumtree or carsales

    • Protractor on 22/10/2023 - 10:33
      +5

      ….chirp-chirp-chirp…..

  • holdenmg on 22/10/2023 - 09:03
    +3

    Is the Vehicle Registered/Insured?

    If not, how are you going to Test Drive?

    Is it sold with a Certificate of Roadworthiness (RWC)?

    Ask your Insurer if they have any issues insuring it.

  • FoxJump on 22/10/2023 - 09:16

    with 41km i wonder if it ever got serviced?

    • Muzeeb on 22/10/2023 - 09:27
      +1

      Definitely never seen a dealership. Engines need to be used. The seals are probably starting to dry out already and will just start leaking in the near future.

  • FoxJump on 22/10/2023 - 09:18
    +2

    you'll probably need new tires

    tires like to go round and round, not just sit there
    Covid made my car tires crack from just sitting there for 2 years

    • Protractor on 22/10/2023 - 09:57

      And worse still, oil would have sat idle & drained off all internal components. Clearly not regularly driven, so the odd random starts have probably worn out the equivalent of thousands of kms of shiny up & downy metal bits.Might even be a slight flat spot in the timing belt(if it has one)

  • Muzeeb on 22/10/2023 - 09:22
    +9

    I think you are confusing 41km with 41k kms.

    Unless it's a GR Yaris that someone is trying to capitalise on I'm calling this a scam.

    • Protractor on 22/10/2023 - 10:00
      +3

      Maybe this thread is a scam. 41kms is such a handy number.1 short of a marathon, affording the OP the blistering throw away line. ( Maybe it's been in their back pocket for years. )

      • Muzeeb on 22/10/2023 - 11:20
        +2

        Yep. I'm thinking we've been trolled by the OP.

        Or, they are busy buying the car as we speak. Can't wait for the update.

    • MrFrugalSpend on 23/10/2023 - 21:39
      +3

      100% - a lot of people just write 41km when they mean 41,000 ….. because it is obvious that is what they mean.

      Like, how much did you pay for your car? Yeah I paid 20 bruh…. OP would probably think he literally means $20 instead of $20,000 !!

      No ff…n way it has done 41km as a used car. I've picked up brand new cars with more KMs - unless of course it is brand new, and something is completely off with the whole deal.

  • randomusername2017 on 22/10/2023 - 09:22

    It's a unicorn… reasonably priced,not already sold and only two interested parties. Surprised if there was anything to inspect.

    Car/price/marketplace?

  • FoxJump on 22/10/2023 - 09:30
    +2

    i once tried to sell a in-demand car with 10km
    no private buyers appeared

    i had to sell to dealer

    so bs he has another buyer
    also - scam
    mine was an "win an eclipse cross" car that i was selling

    • pyramid on 22/10/2023 - 09:48

      I am sure you dint lock it in garage for 2 yrs…

    • Daabido on 22/10/2023 - 20:01

      Nice win.

      • FoxJump on 22/10/2023 - 20:03

        thanks. paid for wedding

        • Muzeeb on 22/10/2023 - 20:06
          +4

          Condolences

    • MrFrugalSpend on 23/10/2023 - 21:42

      …Or you could have just written like 4250km or something and then explained the story when someone inspected

  • pegaxs on 22/10/2023 - 09:46
    +14

    Oh, the "I already have a buyer who just needs finance, but who ever gets in first!!" FOMO marketing…

    Unless it's a weird colour, or a shit model/weird shape, there is no way this car sat for 2 years right through the middle of COVID and just didnt get used.

    My guess is this has had a speedo unit change out and it was probably an ex-Uber with 200,000km on it.

    • Protractor on 22/10/2023 - 09:53
      +4

      speedo unit change

      Agree with this.Seller will disappear after transfer.

    • JimmyF on 22/10/2023 - 10:04

      My guess is this has had a speedo unit change out and it was probably an ex-Uber with 200,000km on it.

      Pretty easy to see if the car has more than a 'real' 41km on the clock.

      • Protractor on 22/10/2023 - 10:31
        +3

        "Pretty easy to see"
        I doubt that anyone who felt the need to post a bizarre story like this would have the tools in the toolbox to spot the signs

        • JimmyF on 22/10/2023 - 13:23
          +2

          LOL You don't need many tools to see if the car has done 41kms vs 41,000kms. Lots of visual cues that easily give away if its done more than 41kms.

          • Brick Tamland on 22/10/2023 - 14:25
            +2

            @JimmyF: For one it should still have paint and little rubber casting moulds on tyres still.

            • JimmyF on 22/10/2023 - 16:45

              @Brick Tamland:

              @JimmyF: For one it should still have paint and little rubber casting moulds on tyres still.

              Correct….. that would be one.

              As well as zero scuff marks or wear/tear signs, brake pads should be 'as new', no stone chips on the front bar or windscreen etc. The list goes on for very easy tell-tale signs if the car has 41kms or not. Sure a lot of those things can be easily fixed/hidden but then you can move into the bigger things that are not as easy to 'fix'.

              If the RAV4 linked below which does seem to match what the OP is wanting to buy, then this car has more than 41kms.

          • randomusername2017 on 22/10/2023 - 19:06

            @JimmyF: Don't think it was meant literally…

            • JimmyF on 22/10/2023 - 19:12
              +2

              @randomusername2017: With only 41kms on the clock, the tyres would still have the little nibs

              • randomusername2017 on 22/10/2023 - 19:13

                @JimmyF: ie. OP is not the sharpest tool in the shed…

                • JimmyF on 22/10/2023 - 19:16

                  @randomusername2017: Yes lots of strange things like not even looking at the car yet!!?

                  • randomusername2017 on 22/10/2023 - 19:17

                    @JimmyF: Tempted to bet the ad is real but the car is not…

                    • JimmyF on 22/10/2023 - 19:26
                      +5

                      @randomusername2017: We beleive its this car https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2021-toyota-rav4-gx…

                      I'm sure the car is real, the odo isn't.

                      Its feels like one of those 'free' facebook marketplace ads, that are listed for $0 but are message me for the price.

                      My bet is it has around 41k on the clock, not 41…… They'll claim its a 'listing error'.

                      Also note how they didn't post a picture of the odo like so many others do…. yeah that'll be why.

                      • Euphemistic on 23/10/2023 - 08:27

                        @JimmyF: Can’t be that one. Ad says it has 32km (and it’s obviously 32xxx)

                        • JimmyF on 23/10/2023 - 09:35

                          @Euphemistic: 32km vs 41km vs 32k vs 41k….

                          Its all the same when the odo reading isn't true isn't it?

                          But this car meets the requires for age/price/location and just about spot on for kms.

                      • BartholemewH on 24/10/2023 - 09:10

                        @JimmyF: Exactly. List it with extremely low k's to get through more buyers filters, then when the buyer turns up and queries it, say 'but just look at the condition'.

                      • opt on 24/10/2023 - 18:20

                        @JimmyF: If that is the care then its definitely not a 41 or 32km (as per the ad) car for sure. The seats appear to be worn out and wrinkled, the rear cargo area has few scratches and looks fairly used, rear seats also has fair bit of wear with some stiches also coming out, definitely NOT a low milage car.

                        My car has legendary fuel economy 4.7L per 100km.

                        LOL, probably just quoting the official figures, but funny when they say that without even having 100km on the clock.

      • seannami on 22/10/2023 - 22:43

        I think at 41kms over 2 years- if it starts, it's an odo replacement (the 12v would be dead, especially if it's a hybrid I believe, had a couple of dead 12vs over COVID cause of going nowhere in a hybrid Toyota). Unless St Kilda Toyota had a low spec Yaris that fell behind the couch cushions or something.

  • WreckTangle on 22/10/2023 - 09:58
    +1

    Probably got into an uninsured smash in its first week & its just been fixed up (or it was a repairable write off )

  • Protractor on 22/10/2023 - 09:58
    +1

    TELL US THE PRICE

    • Euphemistic on 22/10/2023 - 10:14

      And the model.

      • Protractor on 22/10/2023 - 10:26
        +2

        Clearly OP has FOMO, and doesn't want the herd to beat them to the 'bargain'.
        LOL

    • JIMB0 on 22/10/2023 - 10:26
      +4

      My car has legendary fuel economy 4.7L per 100km.

      Haha. It's only used 1.5L in it's lifetime then.

      • Protractor on 22/10/2023 - 10:29

        Fuel in the tank was probs bought when it was $1/L.

    • Muzeeb on 22/10/2023 - 11:13
      +2

      The RAV4 is incorrectly advertised. Definitely has 32k kms just by the condition of the seats alone. Eeeew!

    • Euphemistic on 22/10/2023 - 11:14
      +1

      Landcruiser clearly bought as a flipper. Silly thing is, if it had 10,000km on it it’d still be worth as much but not raise questions as to warranty.

      • bhubb18 on 23/10/2023 - 12:25

        Been trying to sell it for over a year too lmao, all because he wanted way too much for it

        • Euphemistic on 23/10/2023 - 13:22

          Yeah. Suck it flipper!

    • JimmyF on 22/10/2023 - 13:32
      +5

      https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2021-toyota-rav4-gx…

      Looks like this one is the winner as it says

      Georgia is the seller
      Location St Kilda, VIC 3182

      The funny thing is… They took the car out to caulfield to take the photos. but rarely drove it!?

      It has seat covers on the seats that don't look the cleanest….. The boot mat looks like its been used far more than a 41km car would reflect.

      I don't get why they would wind the odo back so low? Surely 20k would be more believable and not raise any questions.

      • Protractor on 22/10/2023 - 15:20

        odo hardwired to switch off?

        Would not touch this car with multiple ten foot poles

      • coffeeinmyveins on 22/10/2023 - 20:06

        look at the marks on the passenger side too where your right foot would go. Those are marks from more than "41km of use".

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