The mainstream media was beside itself in the winter of 2009-2010 and even into the spring of 2010 with the news of the major recalls Toyota underwent. At the time, panic ensued and the thought buying a used Toyota that has been recalled was anathema. People wouldn't be caught dead in a used Toyota because they thought they'd be found dead in a used Toyota because of sudden, unintended acceleration.
Well, the truth is much stranger than a lot of the fiction that surrounded the Toyota recalls. It actually makes more sense to buy a used Toyota that has been recalled because of perceived problems with unintended acceleration and real problems with the floor mats.
According to Toyota, as of Oct. 12, 2010:
- Possible floor mat entrapment of accelerators resulted in 5.4 million vehicles being recalled
- Possible sticking accelerator pedals resulted in 2.3 million vehicles being recalled
- Reprogramming of the ABS computer on Toyota Prius and certain Lexus models resulted in 150,000 recall
That means 7.85 million vehicles were affected by a recall by Toyota. That's a staggering amount that would normally give one pause before considering a used Toyota. Except for additional fact being touted by Toyota: 80% of the recalled vehicles were fixed in a nine-month period. Out of context that's not an amazing number but it is when the industry average on recalls is 70% of vehicles fixed over an 18-month period.
However, there are as of mid-October 2010 approximately 1.55 million used Toyotas that have not been fixed under the recall notices. That's why you need to follow some basic advice on buying a used Toyota that has been recalled.
- Always get a CarFax report
- If an owner has ignored a recall on a used car for more than six months, the car is not kept in good mechanical condition, in spite of what the owner might claim. Ignoring recall notices is a bad sign and demonstrates disinterest by the owner when it comes to mechanical problems.
- Owners who claim a used car is in good mechanical condition - but ignore recall notices - are probably hiding other problems because they didn't want to bring their used car in for service and have to pay for other work. Owners like this may be hiding other problems with quick fixes.
- Use your knowledge of the recall to get the owner to come down on price. Shoot for at least 5% off the sticker price. Say things like, "I heard this vehicle was subject to a recall. That makes me nervous" or "This vehicle was subject to a recall. I bet other buyers will be uncomfortable buying it. I'll offer you $XXXX to buy it right now."
- If the owner won't complete the recall work before purchase, you have two options. Walk away from the deal or figure out what your time is worth. Estimate it is going to take at least four hours of your time to get the car in for the recall service. What is four hours of your time worth? Ask for $100 to $200 off to get the work done, assuming there is a dealer that can fix it within 25 miles in a timely manner.
As always, before you buy any used car, have it inspected by an independent mechanic. Buy no used car that an owner will not let you inspect.
My tips on inspecting a used car will get you started but my advice should never be intended to totally supplant what a trained mechanic would say after inspecting a used car.
Go ahead and buy a used Toyota with a recall notice. It's not automatically going to be a lemon. Plus, with a little savvy negotiation, you can save yourself some money.
