Certfied Toyota...found out too late that it was wrecked

[MomToOne]

After rereading the OP, it sounds like you bought the carfax report and it wasn't listed. You take it in now and the mechanic pulls the carfax report and it shows it on there now? I would find more information about that wreck. Also, a little googling comes up with this:

http://www.carfax.com/manifest/bbg/termsConditions.cfx

Did you register your report? If you did and it is less than 1 year later, it sounds like CarFax will buy your car.

The CarFax guarantee only covers you if the DMV has recorded the vehicle as "branded". This means a designation has been made by the DMV on the title stating that it was salvaged, etc. A wreck where the car wasn't totalled generally isn't enough for a DMV to label the title as branded - it's got to be something pretty major.

I'm 99% sure the title wouldn't be branded in this case. That data is easy for CarFax to pull properly.


(I deal with car titles, DMVs and their data all day long at my job.)

 

[Arielle22]

OP, you bought the car in 2010. When in 2010 and when did you notice the issue with the paint and the misalignment?

I know a bit about car dealerships and auto repair. I worked as HR in a multi car line dealership for several years. If you bought the car only a few months ago you may have better options than if it has been a year.

BBB is not all that people think it is. Not all businesses join BBB and not all care about a BBB complaint. I know the dealership I worked for did not answer any BBB inquiries.

 

[dawson5]

The CarFax guarantee only covers you if the DMV has recorded the vehicle as "branded". This means a designation has been made by the DMV on the title stating that it was salvaged, etc. A wreck where the car wasn't totalled generally isn't enough for a DMV to label the title as branded - it's got to be something pretty major.

I'm 99% sure the title wouldn't be branded in this case. That data is easy for CarFax to pull properly.


(I deal with car titles, DMVs and their data all day long at my job.)

You know I just went back and reread that, I skimmed the first part and read the numbered things. You're absolutely right.

 

[Beckypooh1972]

After rereading the OP, it sounds like you bought the carfax report and it wasn't listed. You take it in now and the mechanic pulls the carfax report and it shows it on there now? I would find more information about that wreck. Also, a little googling comes up with this:

http://www.carfax.com/manifest/bbg/termsConditions.cfx

Did you register your report? If you did and it is less than 1 year later, it sounds like CarFax will buy your car.

This is what I was thinking too. We paid for a 1 one month Carfax membership when we were shopping for one of our cars and I remember it explicitly stated that Carfax takes on some liability if you later find that your car was in a wreck and it isn't on the report. Heck, you could even go to the Carfax site now and run your own VIN # just to see what it says. I think it's about $30 a month and you can cancel instead of automatically renewing each month. It helped us out a lot - we passed up a wrecked Toyota Sienna that had a mysterious rattle and the carfax confirmed why...

Hope you get it all sorted out

 

[maleficentmom]

After rereading the OP, it sounds like you bought the carfax report and it wasn't listed. You take it in now and the mechanic pulls the carfax report and it shows it on there now? I would find more information about that wreck. Also, a little googling comes up with this:

http://www.carfax.com/manifest/bbg/termsConditions.cfx

Did you register your report? If you did and it is less than 1 year later, it sounds like CarFax will buy your car.

They voluntarily gave me a (clear) carfax...the van was from a rental co. and they(Toy. dealer) bought it at auction and certified it. The last carfax we pulled was still clear...so we don't know the severity of accident or who repaired it. However,I can't believe their buyer wouldn't see the paint,etc..before they made a bid. I figure the rental car history maybe makes it worth a bit less even unwrecked...but according to the other Toy. dealers mechanic the van should not have been certified. Unfortunately, I didn't realize I was being lied to by their service dept. about the door...I thought they were just putting me off, as I had several other issues they had to fix early on (there was a rust spot on vehicle roof that I was assured would be repaired after we discovered the day we bought van and reported cnext business day) ...they put it off at each request and then I was told"Gee,looks like a ding..they can rust after a couple of days...the warranty doesn't cover damages...talk to your salesman"...3 outlets replaced,something in steering column,and some other little things..Got so aggravated I had a local cert. mechanic do my oil and stuff,so I just thought they were mad about that and putting me off...when I had warranty work(hatch mechanism) done at another Toyota dealer was when I learned of the problem with the accident..The way I got it,is that basically the door was damaged in an accident(mechanic even put this on my service order)and I don't think the warranty(toyota platinum...I paid extra for this)will cover the door problems as they are from the accident.Wish I would have purchased a car from these folks instead of my towns toyota...live and learn. Think I will call the dealership after I talk to a friend who is an attorney..I want to settle this as quickly as I can,I am hoping too much time hasn't passed...Thanks dis friends for all the advice!!!!

 

[maleficentmom]

This is what I was thinking too. We paid for a 1 one month Carfax membership when we were shopping for one of our cars and I remember it explicitly stated that Carfax takes on some liability if you later find that your car was in a wreck and it isn't on the report. Heck, you could even go to the Carfax site now and run your own VIN # just to see what it says. I think it's about $30 a month and you can cancel instead of automatically renewing each month. It helped us out a lot - we passed up a wrecked Toyota Sienna that had a mysterious rattle and the carfax confirmed why...

Hope you get it all sorted out

The dealer gave me the carfax,didn't even know you could register it...wow, I learn a lot from you guys!!!

 

[WheelCEO]

you need to get of the dis and lawyer up

 

[disneybound31]

Have not read all posts yet, but DH bought a certified Toyota and I remember the Carfax said that if you find out vehicle has been wrecked and not reported on the Carfax then Carfax will buy the vehicle from you at their cost- since you were promised a clear vehicle and sold a different product.