Should I be concerned about "Exempt from odometer reporting"

I am looking at a 1995 Tacoma tomorrow. Carfax shows many entries stating "Exempt from odometer reporting" - across a few years

In 2018 it shows a potential odometer rollback where it states 155k miles. Prior to that on 01/06/2012 it showed 202,052

That being said on 09/04/2019 it shows 165k miles on it (I assume based off of the 155k miles) but the dealer today shows 285k miles which sounds more correct.

Confusing to me. Stay away or still check it out

 

Depends on the price. Anything is worth checking out if the price is right.

Are you looking for a reliable driver? Or something you can beat on/use "around the farm" so to speak? If the former I'd be more inclined to look elsewhere.

Is it a 4 or 6 cyl? I'd be less interested in a 6 cyl from that year.

 

Current price is $5500 (that is normal in these parts). I am looking for something to beat on but still be reliable. It will be may daily driver, so to speak, but I work from home so whatever that means these days. This is the V6

 

Exempt just means that its so old the state doesn't care.

The carfax is more interesting. But if its good condition, it wouldn't bother me in the least.

 

That's odd, I've never heard of being exempt from odo readings. However, I found this after a quick search:

https://www.autos.com/car-buying/4-things-to-know-about-an-odometer-reading

Another possibility is the dash cluster was replaced. I had a 95 5 lug years ago, and I replaced the dash cluster with one from a newer truck so I could have a tachmeter. When I sold it (trade-in for my doublecab), I told them it was not the correct mileage reading, and they basically just check a box on the DMV form that indicates as such.

Or, it's been tampered with...

As Andrew said, it really depends on what you're looking for. In any case, I would definitely take a VERY close look at it, and get a proffessional (independent) mechanic to give it a thorough check over (compression/leak down test, all that stuff).

 

I used to own a small used car dealership so have quite a bit of experience with this.

In my state, even if I submit the odometer readout for a vehicle over 10 years old, the state won’t print the reported mileage on the new title. The mileage will just show “Exempt” on the new title.

Carfax or other vehicle history checks can be a bit more complicated. Many times if a vehicle has very low miles for its age they will report it as “possible odometer rollback.”

Your situation sounds a bit more fishy as far as it actually having had the odometer changed via dash replacement or otherwise. I would pay whatever the highest suspected mileage would put the value at.

 

I am assuming the 285k miles is correct (compared to the lesser miles reported on the carfax). The odometer on the truck does show 285k and not the 165k miles or something close to that so i don't know what happened and I may never be able to find out.

 

more than likely the 285k is correct

no less than 80%+ of the best life U will get out of vehicle

if the price is right U must consider ' What If ' u need to work on engine.......trans or rear end

is it worth spending more $$$ to keep it a few more years to get Ur money out of it

 

I agree but since I am in the 5-7k price range almost all the trucks I am looking at come with the "What if" scenario. I don't want the scenario but do understand it.

 

then get it for as little as possible...................he wants 5 offer him 4!!!!!

its a 27 year old truck even at a low 10k per year it aint 155k

the ' what if ' is riding shotgun

cant be ignored

 

Had a long talk with the dealer. He told me there is a 2 inch lift and is a rough ride. He thinks the valve cover gaskets will need to be replaced soon.

he doesn’t see a sticker in the engine bay that tells whether or not the timing belt/water pump has been replaced. He doesn’t know if it has ever been done. So far, the dealer has been upfront about everything.

offered to replace the timing belt and water pump for me if iI paid asking price ($5,500).

 

This truck sounds like a disaster to be honest.

 

do you have the 5,500 cash or going to finance? I would look on Facebook marketplace and buy from a private seller and avoid some of those dealer fees and you can get a better deal. I just did a search in North Carolina on facebook marketplace and used the keyword tacoma then put the upper price limit to 5500 and a bunch popped up for cheaper and with less miles. Good luck whatever route you do decide to go

 

Most of those are 4 door and/or 2wd and/or too far away from me. Believe me, I search everyday. I will probably pass on this one but still researching it.
Yes, I will be paying cash

 

Everything is going for inflated prices now.

I saw a 260ishK mile Ford F150 for 7500. Getting crazy.

When things get crazy, things tend to straighten out though. (what does this mean for 'new' prices? I can't fathom)

Can you wait it out?

 

I wouldn't worry a ton, in many states odometer is no longer tracked by legal obligation after 10 years of first sale.

 

If you can wait it out I'd just keep looking daily for what you want which sounds pretty specific. 2 door 4wd close to you. seems like all the good deals don't last more than 24hours before they're gone.

 

I had a 94 V6, I've had buddies with the same engine in 4runners

From personal experience I'd stay away from any of those 3.0 engines. Toyota had a recall on the hwad gaskets and replaced them under warranty, trouble was the replacement was faulty in the beginning of the recall so even after they figured it out if a person's truck already had the warranty work done, toyota wouldn't pay to have it done again.

In my particular truck the engine leaked coolant into the cyl and burned through it regularly lol only way I could keep it cool was to run it without the thermostat. I was young and cheap and the previous owner had part store receipts to prove he had done the work and I believe he changed the gaskets but I don't think he had the heads checked and they were warped. I just aleays made sure to check and add coolant... My one friend with a 95 4R got chocolate milkshake from a failed headgasket.

Plus the design of the crossover pipe is prone to failure and AFAIK isn't accessible unless you pull the engine.

You could get a clapped out beat to a pulp 22re and be way better off, they're easy to work on

 

I paid $7k for this one about a month ago

 

Vehicle condition aside, call your insurance company first. A TMU (true mileage unknown) tag on a vehicle may make it uninsurable depending on your state and your insurance agent.