Did dealership sell me a wrecked truck?

[Ultimate 2022]

I bought a used 2014 Sierra about two months ago from a huge dealership down in Texas. They have been pretty great till this. When purchasing the truck we went through the carfax, which showed no accidents. I know these can be misleading, though. The truck was leased from that dealership as well, not sure if that changes anything.

 

Long story short, I got a spray in bedliner today and the installer told me it had been in an accident. There is overspray between the bed and the cab, and the paint is rougher in that gap. I honestly dont know whether to be pissed or not, cause I would think the dealership would know. I tried to get some good pictures that showed the overspray, what would you guys think or do?

 

This always seems to happen when I buy a car.

[Luster]

There wouldn't be a Carfax report if the accident had been paid out of pocket, with no ticket and no insurance claim. The only way to know for sure would be to contact the previous owner.

[Andy Seibel]

I'd make damn sure there is nothing seriously wrong or damaged before your warranty runs out. I would inspect everything including the paint.

 

I could see somebody paying to fix a lease out of pocket to preserve the value upon return.

 

I found out my grand am had been rear-ended after I bought it too. Nothing showed up on carfax for that one either.

[Zipsort]

Yes, if this was a lease, it could very well have been in an accident and not reported. I have heard of people doing that. Some dealers do not check the vehicles very well when they get back who knows why.

[O_J_Simpson]

No doubt. Why do you think someone got rid of that truck so soon?

[Donstar]

I would go back to where you bought the truck and have a discussion. You may find that they will compensate you in efforts to maintain their reputation.

[pickmeup]

It could be nothing more than dealer overspray from dealer giving some wheel well and or inner fender touch up paint

[Hey_Fam]

In my opinion never trust preowned vehicles at a dealer. They were traded in for a reason, and the dealer will do anything to get rid of them. I got burned once on my CPO VW. Didn't find out there was major body work until major rust appeared on a 4 year old vehicle. Nothing was on the carfax report either. Its a shame.

[Ultimate 2022]

I would go back to where you bought the truck and have a discussion. You may find that they will compensate you in efforts to maintain their reputation.

 

I may be out of the window where I can do this. They have agreed to look at it, so I will be taking it in soon.

 

I'd make damn sure there is nothing seriously wrong or damaged before your warranty runs out. I would inspect everything including the paint.

 

I could see somebody paying to fix a lease out of pocket to preserve the value upon return.

 

I found out my grand am had been rear-ended after I bought it too. Nothing showed up on carfax for that one either.

 

I definitely will. I kind of understand it both ways, and I know that the dealer can catch everything. They have already agreed to look over the whole vehicle and repair anything if need be, and give me another detail.

 

No doubt. Why do you think someone got rid of that truck so soon?

 

Normal lease terms are 2-3 years. This could be a reason it was brought back.

 

It could be nothing more than dealer overspray from dealer giving some wheel well and or inner fender touch up paint

 

Idk.. there is primer there too. Looks to be more than touch up, sadly.

 

In my opinion never trust preowned vehicles at a dealer. They were traded in for a reason, and the dealer will do anything to get rid of them. I got burned once on my CPO VW. Didn't find out there was major body work until major rust appeared on a 4 year old vehicle. Nothing was on the carfax report either. Its a shame.

 

I appreciate your response, but i think this may be a reach. I dont believe that buying a car from an individual instead of a dealer means you are in the clear.

[Lgetz]

That looks like the whole bed/cab side was painted. If you look at your reflection slowly walking front to back there will be a noticeable difference in lack of clarity on what was repainted.

 

Edit:

Agree with others not everything shows upon a Carfax but there is no way dealer didn't notice that overspray when it was traded in.

[Thomcat]

deleted - double post

 

[Thomcat]

There wouldn't be a Carfax report if the accident had been paid out of pocket, with no ticket and no insurance claim. The only way to know for sure would be to contact the previous owner.

Sadly, Carfax is overplayed as the definitive source on whether the vehicle was in an accident. Caveat emptor, the question s not whether the dealer sold you a wrecked used truck, but whether you bought a wrecked used truck. After two months you likely get nowhere trying to get a used car dealer to take responsibility or offer compensation other than a detailing.....they'll say either that's the way they received it with no knowledge of an accident or for all they know you caused and repaired the damage in the interim.

[Ultimate 2022]

That looks like the whole bed/cab side was painted. If you look at your reflection slowly walking front to back there will be a noticeable difference in lack of clarity on what was repainted.

Edit:

Agree with others not everything shows upon a Carfax but there is no way dealer didn't notice that overspray when it was traded in.

How do you know it's the whole bed?

[Lgetz]

The amount of paint overspray suggests a large area was being painted unless it was a very sloppy touch up.

Edit:

It seems that the moulding is painted more than 8 inches across to me. Tough to discern from the picture.

[Z45]

True story but this involved a 2015 Sierra Denali. Back in the spring of 2015 I was driving by the local GMC dealer and saw a white Sierra Denali CC on the back lot. Since I was looking for one I stopped in bu though it might be sold because of where it was parked. I knew the salesman and he said, can't sell the truck, its belongs to GMC. We refused it when it came damaged badly. He told me the pass side was damaged from rear of cab to the tail light and they were not going to accept a truck with that much damage. GMC arranged to have it repaired locally and it was waiting to be picked up and taken to the GM auction. A replacement was on order.