Author Topic: Second Hand Prado Purchase  (Read 4751 times)

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Offline kev82

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Second Hand Prado Purchase
« on: October 10, 2016, 04:36:03 PM »
Hi All,

Long time stalker first time poster. Just thought I would let you know what has happened to me over the last couple of days.

I am going to need to replace a work car, so I have been looking at replacing the work car with either a Prado, FJ Cruiser (wife is not keen because of childseats)or Pajero, budgetary constraints mean it will be second hand and under 35k.

So I have been looking at a GX in Sydney, I am in Adelaide for some reason there is a significant price difference in second hand cars between SA and the Eastern States. So I have had a decent chat about this GX prado which has has Sat Nav put in plus the extra two seats, and a whole heap of nice to have accessories. Have somewhat negotiated a price subject to inspection and test drive.

This morning I got the inspection report from NRMA, everything looks about right for a 2011 Prado, bit of paint chipping, couple of missing tools etc. First issue that comes out of the report is no service history just latest service at 93k km. Doesn't bother me too much but query the owner about. Check Revs and it turns out the original owner was a large fleet buyer....again not too much to worry about GX probably ex mine car, or government.

Then decide that I will just put the VIN into google and see what google shows up. We I get one hit. Grays had sold it September last year for 24k. Double check the VINs both match, one issue is last year when Grays sold the car it had 106,600kms on the clock.

Check with wife to make sure that I am not reading the VINs incorrectly sure enough, I can read. Someone has wound back the clock and tried to hid the fact.

Clearly sent the owner a text saying I was on to the caper and there was no reply as expected.
Just a heads up for people buying a second hand car

Offline edz

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Re: Second Hand Prado Purchase
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2016, 04:52:14 PM »
Soo its done 13.000 K's since it was last serviced at 93.000 K's, a year ago, whats the drama with that ..  ???
My truck averages 8 to 10.000 K's in a year .
« Last Edit: October 10, 2016, 04:56:37 PM by edz »
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Offline oldmate

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Re: Second Hand Prado Purchase
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2016, 04:53:11 PM »
Yeah I read it twice to see where the issue is here?


So how many km's does the current seller say are on the clock now?
« Last Edit: October 10, 2016, 04:54:59 PM by oldmate »
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Offline kev82

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Re: Second Hand Prado Purchase
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2016, 04:54:49 PM »
Sorry currently listed with 93k kms and when sold a year ago had 106600

Offline oldmate

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Re: Second Hand Prado Purchase
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2016, 04:56:39 PM »
Sorry currently listed with 93k kms and when sold a year ago had 106600

Ok so it's most recent service was at 93k. What date? Just recently I gather?  Then yeah I guess that is a drama.
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Offline edz

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Re: Second Hand Prado Purchase
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2016, 05:02:51 PM »
Could be possible that it had a speedo failure in the last 12 months ..and this is a replacement from a wreckers ..
Have had to replace a couple of speedo's over the years, when people strip the trip meter gears by pressing the trip reset when driving .[ Not Prado ] .
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Re: Second Hand Prado Purchase
« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2016, 05:02:55 PM »
Name & shame or at least the URL.

Offline oldmate

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Re: Second Hand Prado Purchase
« Reply #7 on: October 10, 2016, 05:06:56 PM »
There is a Prado for sale in the classified ads on this site you might be interested in
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Offline rags

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Re: Second Hand Prado Purchase
« Reply #8 on: October 10, 2016, 07:46:39 PM »
That will explain the difference between the price in SA and the other Middle Eastern State. There are many unscrupulous operators who specialise in doggy dealings. In Sydney you will usually find them lurking around the suburbs like 2195-2200
But they aren't restricted to there, I only 2 weekends ago found one on the Sunshine Coast whilst looking for a car for daughter. Selling on gumtree was a 2015 Honda Jazz for a cheap price. Being the inquisitive person I am , I made contact, got the story from older male that it was the wife's car( even had photos on site with wife in it) and they where rationalising cars. Sounds good , but my previous job provided me with skills in investigation of dodgy traders. So check out the rego and yes the car was a repairable write off on the national register. A further search revealed he had 3 other vehicles for sale of a similar nature.
So for a bit of fun I arranged to meet and view said car. On viewing I said nothing about my knowledge, as did seller. I started looking for the repair which became obvious that it had a big hit on drivers side 2 doors, the head lining still showed damaged where airbags had opened. Roof turret repairs etc. so then I questioned seller who offered that yes it was accident damage yet not disclosing the vehicle status. I then told him what I knew including the make and colours of the other 3 cars and key dates on the Honda being written off and re registered. The reaction was priceless.
Still looking for daughters car but had fun looking at that one and provided a valuable education to daughter and wife on why I say that you can't trust everyone. The only problem wife had me on was that I always say that the dodgy characters have English as a 2nd language but this fellow was a blue eyed Aussie. Qld authorities notified re dealing in vehicles without a licence.
Buyer beware
« Last Edit: October 10, 2016, 07:48:29 PM by rags »

Offline Cruiser 105Tvan

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Re: Second Hand Prado Purchase
« Reply #9 on: October 10, 2016, 08:22:14 PM »
Well done rags,
Hope that oxygen thief got what he deserves.
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Offline Muckinhell

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Re: Second Hand Prado Purchase
« Reply #10 on: October 10, 2016, 08:52:33 PM »
Is this a easy search anyone can do Rags? or need to know people in the know kinda thing?
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Offline rags

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Re: Second Hand Prado Purchase
« Reply #11 on: October 10, 2016, 09:20:01 PM »
Is this a easy search anyone can do Rags? or need to know people in the know kinda thing?
Anyone can do as I did.
I just used the QLD rego check page
https://www.service.transport.qld.gov.au/checkrego/application/TermAndConditions.xhtml?windowId=fd6
From there I can establish a vin no then go to the commonwealth site cost $3.40 for a search
https://www.ppsr.gov.au
Put in the vin no to find out the vehicle status dates, change of ownership and finance owing
Gumtree seller history gave me details of the other cars which I could subsequently do the same.
Authorities will have access to sellers details including photo I'd, ABN etc through a simple link to a rego no
No secrets in this modern world

Offline kev82

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« Last Edit: October 10, 2016, 09:33:22 PM by kev82 »

Offline Swannie

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Re: Second Hand Prado Purchase
« Reply #13 on: October 11, 2016, 05:56:58 AM »
Maybe the original ad was wrong?
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Offline chester ver2.0

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Re: Second Hand Prado Purchase
« Reply #14 on: October 11, 2016, 07:52:00 AM »
Whilst you have the same chances on any platform
The above is now why i refuse to buy or sell anything on Gumtree it just seems to more and more becoming a dumping ground for dodgy dealings
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Offline tryagain

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Re: Second Hand Prado Purchase
« Reply #15 on: October 11, 2016, 06:56:45 PM »
My original thought was why would they only wind it back 13,000km but it's probably done an extra 20-30,000 since then. Might be worth an email to Fair trading NSW.