Considering buying this 4Runner, some red flags

Hey all, new here so I am not entirely sure of the etiquette here so bare with me. To try and make this short, I have been looking for a decent 4th gen for some time now. There is potential in this one but the drive is about 5 hours one way to even test drive it and see it for myself. I asked for pictures of the frame and body and it looks pretty good considering it's a northeast vehicle. But when I did a carfax there is some weird discrepancies that pop out to me and wanted to get some input. The pictures I was sent are of a silver 4runner while the carfax says it was noted as gray multiple time. Could it just be an error or is there potential that it was painted/in an accident, painted a different color, and not reported? Also from 2016 - 2020 there is next to no records at all and in 2020 it failed an emissions test. It passed in the following years so I assume this was fixed but still makes me worry. Finally, why does it say Atlanta, Ga for the Mass DMV? Here is a copy of the carfax (I shortened it down, took off the dealer and unneeded info) :

01/14/2007

• NICB

• Vehicle manufactured and shipped to original dealer

02/02/2007

• Vehicle serviced
  • Pre-delivery inspection completed

08/20/2007
3,030

• Vehicle sold

08/20/2007

• Massachusetts
• Motor Vehicle Dept.

• Vehicle purchase reported
  • Titled or registered as personal lease vehicle

08/21/2007
3,038

• Massachusetts
• Inspection Station
• Lynn, MA

• Passed safety inspection

08/21/2007

• Massachusetts
• Motor Vehicle Dept.
• Atlanta, GA
• Title #BE891884

• Title issued or updated
  • Registration issued or renewed
  • First owner reported
  • Vehicle color noted as Gray

11/05/2007

• Vehicle serviced
  • 3,750 mile service performed
  • Oil and filter changed
  • Tire condition and pressure checked
  • Drain plug gasket replaced

03/28/2008

• Vehicle serviced
  • 3,750 mile service performed
  • Tires rotated
  • Oil and filter changed
  • Tire condition and pressure checked
  • Drain plug gasket replaced

08/04/2008
10,017

• Vehicle serviced
  • 3,750 mile service performed
  • Oil and filter changed
  • Tire condition and pressure checked
  • Drain plug gasket replaced
  • Emissions or safety inspection performed

08/04/2008

• Massachusetts
• Inspection Station
• Lynn, MA

• Passed safety inspection

01/22/2009
12,081

• Vehicle serviced
  • 3,750 mile service performed
  • Oil and filter changed
  • Tire condition and pressure checked
  • Drain plug gasket replaced

06/01/2009

• Massachusetts
• Motor Vehicle Dept.
• Atlanta, GA
• Title #BE891884

• Registration issued or renewed
  • Vehicle color noted as Gray

06/19/2009
14,148

• Vehicle serviced
  • 3,750 mile service performed
  • Oil and filter changed
  • Tire condition and pressure checked
  • Drain plug gasket replaced
  • Tires rotated
  • Cabin air filter replaced/cleaned
  • Air filter replaced

08/11/2009
14,672

• Vehicle serviced
  • Emissions or safety inspection performed

08/11/2009

• Massachusetts
• Inspection Station
• Lynn, MA

• Passed safety inspection
  • Passed emissions inspection

12/09/2009
16,478

• Vehicle serviced
  • 3,750 mile service performed
  • Oil and filter changed
  • Tire condition and pressure checked
  • Drain plug gasket replaced

06/09/2010
18,563

• Vehicle serviced
  • 3,750 mile service performed
  • Oil and filter changed
  • Tire condition and pressure checked
  • Drain plug gasket replaced

06/09/2010
18,653

• Vehicle offered for sale

07/06/2010

• Vehicle serviced
  • Pre-delivery inspection completed

Owner 2

07/06/2010
18,655

• Massachusetts
• Motor Vehicle Dept.

• Vehicle purchase reported

07/07/2010

• Massachusetts
• Motor Vehicle Dept.
• Saugus, MA

• Registration issued or renewed
  • New owner reported
  • Vehicle color noted as Gray

07/09/2010
18,663

• Massachusetts
• Inspection Station
• Lynn, MA

• Passed safety inspection
  • Passed emissions inspection

07/12/2010

• Vehicle serviced
  • Wheel locks installed
  • Window vent visors installed

07/23/2010

• Massachusetts
• Motor Vehicle Dept.
• Saugus, MA
• Title #BJ151953

• Title issued or updated
  • Loan or lien reported
  • Vehicle color noted as Gray

08/05/2010

• Vehicle serviced

08/17/2010

• Vehicle serviced

12/08/2010

• Vehicle serviced
  • Maintenance inspection completed

02/24/2011

• Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.

• Manufacturer Safety recall issued
  • NHTSA #11V113
  • Recall #90L SAFETY RECALL 90L - POTENTIAL FLOOR
  • MAT INTERFERENCE WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL
  • Status: Remedy Available
• Locate an authorized Toyota dealer near you to schedule an appointment

• Vehicle serviced
  • Oil and filter changed

10/01/2021
109,147

• Vehicle serviced
  • Oil and filter changed

10/01/2021
109,149

• Massachusetts
• Inspection Station
• Reading, MA

• Passed safety inspection
  • Passed emissions inspection

05/21/2022
113,762

• Vehicle serviced
  • Oil and filter changed

06/01/2022

• Massachusetts
• Motor Vehicle Dept.
• Saugus, MA
• Title #CB478095

• Registration issued or renewed

Here are the 4 pics I have gotten. Frame only taken from one side which is also a red flag.





Thanks ahead of time for any and all help. It's much appreciated.

 

I wouldn't be too concerned about the color discrepancy. Some DMV's only use basic colors and maybe "Silver Mica" or whatever wasn't an option, so it got gray.

The other stuff I can't answer, maybe somebody here has more idea on that.

Good luck!

 

The lapse in the Carfax report could be from whoever owned it during that time did all their own work on the vehicle, but that doesn't explain the lack of registration info.

The silver paint color is called "Titanium Metallic", paint code is 1D4 , which should be on the VIN sticker in the driver's door jamb.

I would request more photos of the frame, especially the radiator support (one of the more prone to rust areas), where the rear axle connects to the frame, and the passenger frame rail directly behind the front wheel where the AC drain drips down onto the frame.

 

You could also try an AutoCheck report. Sometimes they have different info that carfax didn't catch (and vice versa). Probably worthwhile in situations like this where info can be ambiguous.

 

Possible reason for the reg/DMV question is the member was in the military. Theyre exempt from some of the rules requiring registration in the state they live in. As in maybe they registered in Mass, but physically lived in Atlanta? Something like that, so that it would look like two DMVs had information at the same time like that

As for the frame it doesnt look bad immediately. But I agree with @AuSeeker that you need far more pictures and of those spots specifically, as theyre typically the spots that go first

 

I'm no expert on 4th gens, but doesn't the PS side headlight look off? There's a pretty large gap between the hood and fender there, and it appears there is a piece of body trim missing under that headlight.

 

There is a piece that goes under the headlight that is missing, to fill the gap between the bumper youre right. Also does seem like the hood is a little extra high, like either its open or misaligned.

 

That was the first thing I noticed too. Looks like an accident and it was not put back together properly. The quarter panel and light are off by the looks of it. I would avoid it just due to that.

 

I did end up avoiding it. I actually found a private seller with a 05 v6 with 91k on the odometer. No accidents and one owner. The frame even looks pretty good considering it is a northeast truck.

 

Much better looking on the frame. The hood was open on the grey/silver. Mileage at 91k may be time for brakes. But looks nicer than the other.

 

Those car faxes are ok as a guide but still are not great . I had an entire engine replaced on a car back in 2009 at a dealership and there is zero mention in the car fax I pulled for it. It simply says engine serviced yeah no shizzo.

Those things are only as good as the data entered.

On the flip side you can see where cars came from. I remember pre Covid lots of Explorers and Ford Rangers coming to MI from the the Nova Scotia/PEI area. Turns out many were flooded from big storms up there and being flipped here.

 

Looks like a new exhaust was installed recently...much nicer vehicle than the silver.

 

Both vehicles appears re-painted. Maybe just sunlight reflections.
The silver one is been sold by a small time dealer?
Red one looks better.
Prices ?
if too good to be true ?

 

The silver one was one of those stereotypical sleazy used car places, they wanted 14 for it. The red one is a private seller. It is located about 5 hours from me and I went to see it this past Sunday. It's legit and the gentleman who owns is a very nice older guy. He said he is only selling it because he bought a 2015 so he doesn't need it anymore. He said the 2015 is his 5th 4runner, as it is the only vehicle he will drive. He was asking 14875 and I bought it for 14000... which was more than I wanted to spend for a V6 but with the frame being in the condition it's in and the low miles It was worth it to me. There are a few scuffs in the bottom portion of the front bumper and the bottom of the doors have some rust on the inside that I'll need to take care of pretty quickly and repaint/clear coat but with a 17 year old vehicle I expected some of this. I'm actually making the drive again today to go pick it up. I appreciate the help from everyone and maybe at some point I'll post the slowest build ever.