Question: I was sold a vehicle that was a "Buy Back" without my knowledge, and now I'm having problems with the van. What can I do?

June 10, 2005

Hello Tony

I purchased a 2002 Toyota Sienna XLE van from a car broker in GA. I foolishly did not get a carfax report of my own. The dealer showed me the one he had but I was only told that there were no problems with the van.

I began having some problems with the van and 2 shops could not diagnose the problem so I ran a carfax report and found it was a buy back from NY. I have called the place I bought it and e-mailed them 2 days in a row and no call back except a brief e-mail saying they would be in touch.

What should I do? I would like to know the repairs made and if it was taken care of.

Thank you,

DS

Answer:

Hi DS,

Well, it sounds like you're already doing the only thing you can do. Continue to contact the person you bought it from and ask him to tell you what was done to the vehicle.

He may not even know. If he's a broker he may not have been aware of the complete history of the car. Also, depending on what you signed, he may not be under any obligation to help you. Do you remember if you signed an "As Is" form? If so, you're pretty much on your own.

You may want to go to a Toyota dealer. They stand a better chance of figuring out the problem, and they may be able to plug the serial number of the van into their computer network and get a service history on the van. At least any repairs done at Toyota dealers.

Good luck....

All my very best...

Tony Iorio

Follow Up Comments...

Dear Tony,

Thank you for the info. The broker called me today to say I had signed a paper stating it was a buy back car even though I don't have a copy of that paper in my file from the purchase.

She did offer to contact a Toyota dealer and has told me to bring it in next week. Only car history was an oil leak problem but Toyota stated it was repaired and they bought it back because the buyer was still dissatisfied. She said there was a code C on their paperwork which meant oil leak.

Hi DS,

Well, that doesn't sound so bad. An oil leak should be manageable. Often manufacturers will buy back vehicles more to satisfy the car owner than for a really serious flaw. It sounds like this might be the case here.