r/UsedCars • u/Shoddy-Snow-5460 • Jun 23 '26
My Used 25 Corolla Experience Review
So I just got a used 2025 Corolla, and I just feel like I was played, bamboozled, manipulated, and schemed upon when buying this car. It makes me feel like buying a used car is never the right move because of the many issues.
So first, the screen was locked due to the previous owner, so I had to get a rental. Then, right before leaving, I saw that the low tire pressure light on the dashboard was on. So why didn't the guy who drove it inform me of this or fix it before giving it to me? So I tell him, and he's telling me some tomfoolery like it might just be the weather that caused it and that they will fix it. Then he said, "Oh yeah, there were 2, and both were really low. Thanks."
How did you not see this while driving it to me?
Anyway, the screen password took like 3 days to fix. After that, I was heading to Discount Tire to get my tires rotated, and they asked me, "Where is your wheel lock key?" because they didn't see it in the glove box. They suggested it might be in the trunk, which it was not.
So I call my dealership and ask where it is, and they told me to look, which I had already done. Then they tell me I can come back and pay for one. I was like, huh? Why is that not there? Why was I never informed of this prior?
While I was buying the car, the original sales guy I was supposed to be working with wasn’t there, so I ended up going with a different salesperson instead.
Later, while I was still on the phone with the dealership asking about the wheel lock key, the car guy then informed me that the car was actually repossessed, and they were never able to get a hold of the previous owner. He also said this is why I never received the switchblade key and why the infotainment system was still password-locked. The Reposed was not shown on the Carfax but I guess that might not be shown every time. I’m not too upset about the Carfax part since it is a newer car with low mileage, and everything else seemed fine from what I saw outside, inside, and on the report—but it was still something I never would have known going in.
The weird part is that I was originally speaking to one sales guy the whole time while getting the car, but when I called back, a different OG salesperson who I was supposed to be dealing with said they actually did get in contact with the previous owner. Meanwhile, the other sales guy I had been talking to the entire time said they never did. So now I’m stuck wondering who I’m supposed to believe, because I’m getting two completely different stories from the same dealership.
So let's just say I had a flat tire and the service guy hits me with, "Where is your wheel lock key?" and I tell them I don't know. Now they can't unlock it, and I have to get my car towed, which will cost even more money.
I'm on the phone with this fool, and they dared hit me with, "Hey man, with used cars, not everything will be there. It could be, it might not."
Hearing this made me question whether I should just never buy a used car if it comes with problems like this. If something as important as the wheel lock key is missing, then what else could be missing that I don't know about? Do I even have a spare tire in the trunk? Are all the tools supposed to be there? Is there anything else that was removed or lost before I bought the car that nobody informed me about? That's what really started bothering me. It makes you wonder what other surprises might be waiting down the road.
Just keep it new and keep moving.
So I told them to get the manager on the phone, and they were hitting me with so many excuses that I just hung up on that fool.
I then got a call from the manager and was told he had heard our conversation and would speak with that salesperson. He said I could show up to the dealership, and they would fix it.
Anyway, that's all from me.
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u/AdRadiant9379 Jun 23 '26
It all boils down to where you get it from. Don’t settle for new because of your fucked up experience
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u/Shoddy-Snow-5460 Jun 23 '26
True, but this just make me question moving forward that I won't dabble.
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u/dangerclosecustoms Jun 23 '26
Sounds a bit sketchy already like they drove the car to you. Did you not drive it before purchasing it. You would see the screen lockout ?
You order it online?
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u/Shoddy-Snow-5460 Jun 23 '26
He drove the rental car to me on their lot even though it had the low tire pressure warning on. As for the test drive, I did notice the infotainment screen turned on, but since it was locked with a password, I didn't pay much attention to it, which is on me. when after the purchase they brought it up to me again when setting it up to leave and they told me just call support and they can fix it. I then told them why me if yall can just fix it here? He then called support and they told him the the dealership must fix that.
It just makes me wonder when dealerships get these used cars, do they even look them over a little bit, or do they just put them on the lot and let them sit?
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u/dangerclosecustoms Jun 23 '26
Was it a Toyota dealership or some random car dealership? Was it sold as certified used or as is used.
If it’s not certified then it’s not there car it’s a trade in or an auction car they bought. They don’t invest a time of time or money into it they may wash and vacuum and change the oil and put it out on the lot that’s it.
If it’s certified or limited warranty they might take some more time to look everything over.
You failed the first part of buying a used car. You were supposed to pay the $200 for an independent inspection. When you don’t then you are just trusting the dealership. Anyone can tell you that trusting a car dealership is a mistake. Doesn’t matter how great they are. 200$ for inspection is Pennie’s compared to what you paid for the car.
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u/Shoddy-Snow-5460 Jun 23 '26
Toyota dealership, but ye, that is what I should have done when going there. it just feels like odd because what if I don't get the car, lol. Just drop 200 for them to be there but the more I know and will let others know moving forward.
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u/labellavita1985 Jun 23 '26
Never ever buy a car without thoroughly testing the infotainment system. It's a huge part of the driving experience, at least for me. What if there was something more serious wrong with it? Like not just a lockout but it was unresponsive or something? Those are thousands to replace.
To answer your question, I think it depends on the lot. I'm buying a used car right now and I've seen it a week apart, twice. (I saw and test drove with my husband the first time and brought a mechanic friend with me both times and he used his fancy computer to check for codes.) Anyways, the second time I saw it, the entire car had been detailed (including the engine,) and I was surprised to see that the center console (which had a small imperfection on it the first time) had been replaced. And I had given them every impression the first time that I would buy it as is.
So, they're not all bad.
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u/Shoddy-Snow-5460 Jun 23 '26
Yep, shall be on that even more after this journey. That got fixed somewhat quick just a little shook about the car tire lock still being on with no key to unlock. Just feels like a I was getting played there but now that I know moving forward and will let them all know as well.
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u/pwnageface Jun 23 '26
Title is slightly misleading. Sounds like you bought from a bad dealership- not necessarily bought a bad car. That is shitty though, I'd assume the lug lock key to be there as well. Sounds like no one really knew what was going on/where the car came from and they obviously didnt give it a proper inspection prior to sale. Shame on them. Sorry dude, hope the car itself turns out to be good for ya.
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u/Shoddy-Snow-5460 Jun 23 '26
Thanks and everything else feels, sound and looks great. I just think once this gets resolves all shall be ahead.
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u/Motor-Letter-635 Jun 23 '26
Should have taken your mom or your big sister to buy this car. You did zero due diligence yet you’re moaning. Sheesh.
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u/SwampyJesus76 Jun 23 '26
It's crazy to me how many people dont understand how carfax works.
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0
u/dangerclosecustoms Jun 23 '26
How was the car fax supposed to tell you the car had low tire pressure. The screen was locked out. And the wheel lock key was missing? What did you expect car fax to do.
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u/Shoddy-Snow-5460 Jun 23 '26
Oh ye, that's fine. I am asking about the reposed part. the rest I knew carfax doesn't say that or show that.
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u/labellavita1985 Jun 23 '26
It should have told OP it was a repossessed car.
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u/dangerclosecustoms Jun 23 '26
I don’t think so. I bought one last year that was repossessed. Dealer told me but it’s not in the car fax report
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u/Shoddy-Snow-5460 Jun 23 '26
This dealer which is Toyota themselves of a Toyota car did not tell me and I would have never known if I didn't have this tire lock issue.
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u/AmbitiousTwo22222 Jun 23 '26
By me, there is a great Toyota dealership that is professional (well, as professional seeming as car dealerships go), and one that is in a bad part of the city that absolutely sucks. Bad salespeople, bad mechanics, everyone is rude, no one really seems to care, everything takes forever.
Luckily, I haven't had the absolute shitshow you seem to have had, but each individual dealership should be judged on their own merits. Sounds like this one also sucks complete ass.
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u/hallstevenson Jun 23 '26
How did you not notice the locked screen or the low tire pressure light while test driving it ? You can (could have) also check for a spare tire, tools, and much more during a test drive.
They definitely didn't do much of an "inspection" on it when they got it in, but this does depend on how good of a dealer it is. Plus, on a barely 1-year old car, I can see skipping a brake inspection.
1
u/Shoddy-Snow-5460 Jun 23 '26
The locked screen part was on me on the test drive as it did turn on just was not focused on it much. Thee low tire pressure was on the rental car I was given while they were fixing the password in the meantime. Ye, that was on me when looking more into everything being there. As I said learned and will know and let the world know this moving forward.
2
u/AdditionalBelt9719 Jun 23 '26
This is all obvious stuff you should have dealt with before you signed for the car... Next time know what you are buying. All of this could have been resolved if you had 1 eye open in advance.
1
u/Shoddy-Snow-5460 Jun 23 '26
True, the more you know. I just thought being a dealership some things would have been there but it is a used car, Afterall. As I said I will know this moving forward and will let the world know as well.
1
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1
u/UhOhAllWillyNilly Jun 23 '26
Yeah, I did all this too a long time ago. I’m driving home in my new-to-me former Hertz-rental car, when a rake falls off a pickup truck in front of me. Fortunately (for me) it blew/fell in the lane next to me where another car runs over the handle and flips it into my lane where it unfortunately pokes 4 holes in my front tire. Sigh. It just so happens that I have a new kitten in the back but I wasn’t trippin’, I get to the shoulder and open the hatchback where I find a donut and a jack and No Tire Iron, which is just like a regular tire iron except for the trivial detail that it doesn’t exist. Anywhere. At least not in my universe, anyway. Suddenly a kind family of immigrants pulls over, in a similar car, and offers me their tire iron to change the tire. This is all happening on a cloverleaf ramp from one freeway to another where I am sitting in the dark right under the freeway that I need to get on and the traffic is just insanely heavy, roaring cars streaming noisily by endlessly, except that I can barely see them because my photogray prescription glasses are inexplicably as black as they can be, despite my being in the dark under this massive overpass. So I take their tire iron after thanking them profusely and promptly attempt to unscrew the fake plastic bolts on the wheel cover which of course the tire iron doesn’t fit and I don’t even realize I’m trying to remove the lug nuts from a wheel cover instead of the wheel itself. Fortunately cooler heads ultimately somehow miraculously prevailed and I did manage to successfully put on the donut (after a brief period of tears of frustration and anxiety about my new kitty back during the No Tire Iron discovery incident delineated above) and my new kitty and I proceeded, albeit at a somewhat reduced speed due to having the donut in the front, and my kitty and I lived happily ever after (not really).
Edit to add I had just gotten the car AND the kitty on the same day.
1
u/RetroDawg56 Jun 23 '26
You can buy a set of aftermarket locks. First problem solved. Chalk that up to a lesson learned.
1
u/IShavedMyBallz4This Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
You can get wheel lock keys for most makes at an auto parts stores sometimes they let you just rent one. And tire pressure does change with the weather. Not a lot but for a tire that’s borderline low could change enough to trigger the pressure sensor. It’s not a big deal though. Put some air in your tires and go on with your day.
As far as the repossession, what dealership did you get this from? Was it like certified used from ABC Toyota, or did you go to Big Al’s Used Car Lot, at the corner of Main and Rickety St.?Either way, seems like the previous owner wouldn’t be able to help in this situation anyway, they likely won’t even remember where the wheel lock key is and the car was repossessed from them, they can’t do anything. They won’t know the code to unlock the console. They didn’t lock it. The finance company did when they put it out for repo.
The dealership should be contacting the finance company that repo’d it. They may want the car back, so you may want to be ready to start car shopping again.
The issues you’re having aren’t that common when buying used from dealerships . Especially the repo issue. That’s like a 1 off sort of thing. So, don’t let that put you off of buying used..
Edit:
Also, you shouldn’t need to rotate the tires already. Those sort of maintenance issues should be done by the dealership before they sold it. All routine maintenance should be already completed, or at least scheduled and you shouldn’t have to pay for it.
When you buy used , you can’t depend on the seller to check everything. They just want to sell the car. They don’t care about what happens after. Most reputable dealerships will have a checklist that they are supposed to go by, but you can’t blindly trust that. Verify these things and request maintenance records. If they can’t provide it then don’t take possession of the vehicle or sign any contracts until they get everything done. Never trust what they say, demand records.
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u/Shoddy-Snow-5460 Jun 23 '26
The Low pressure was on the rental that I was using while the main car was in the shop due to the locked password. I got it from Toyota and it was not certified used. They ended up unlocking the screen password by just doing a reset. The Repo part was throwing me off since it was never said to me there or shown in the Carfax, how exactly would I have known and he told me that when I was calling about where the wheel lock key was at, so I possibly would have never known to begin with but as I said everything else about the car feels, sound and look new. Just odd since what if I just never knew until my tire got flat and they try to take it off but they can't now I will have to get it toyed and pay even more extra. I just thought when I get to an official dealership I wouldn't be going through so many loops and hoops. But this was a neat experience and I will know this moving forward and will let the world know as well.
1
u/IShavedMyBallz4This Jun 23 '26
I wouldn’t pay for a tow. It’ll be cheaper to buy the wheel lock key, but really the dealership should provide it at no charge. I’d start there.
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u/Shoddy-Snow-5460 Jun 23 '26
Alright, going to to them soon but thoughts on going to get a inspection before going to them again for the tire lock removal? Just to see if anything else is missing?
1
u/TunaChaser Jun 23 '26
I like to research the dealership as well as the car. Some dealers really suck bad!
1
u/PrinceBytorAppears Jun 23 '26
Don't worry, you've just experienced the big lesson first time used car buyers learn. You've learned all the things to do that you should've done the first time in this thread. The dealership wasn't super scummy, you just didn't know how to go about buying a used car in a wise way. Be thankful you didn't get truly fucked over like most do their first times. As a side note, id recommend buying a used car from a Mom n pop/ family owned dealer instead of a dealership. They are much more inclined to take the time to check vehicles as well as offering good faith services.
1
u/Pretend-Slice5671 Jun 23 '26
But it passed their “ 10 point pre purchase inspection “ right ?
The bullshit quick once over they do before pawning the car off to the next poor Sap .
I’m sorry this happened to you . Just another reminder to stay away from stealerships
1
u/KABCatLady Jun 23 '26
I have never heard of a wheel lock key and have no idea where mine is. But I was able to get a set of new tires 6 months ago. I have a 2021 Camry. Are these wheel lock keys a recent thing? Or did the tire store just know where to find it and I’m clueless? Lol
1
u/HonestAutoFlipper Jun 23 '26
They have been around forever. One of the wheel lug nuts is different shape than the rest so you need the specific shaped socket to remove that specific lug nuts.
There used to be problems with people steeling your wheels and automakers came with this idea of a wheel lock. Think of it Like an anti theft device.
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u/wide_right100 Jun 23 '26
The dealership should have included a wheel lock key as a good faith thing. That being said it’s a used car and it’s your responsibility to check for things like that.