Is this pic a deal breaker?

[Howieb456]

Hi, all. I am searching to purchase a used 2025 Lightning and found a Platinum at a great price. The dealer is being very transparent with me and told me the low-ish price is due to some damage to the vehicle. It was purchased by them from an auction and the auction house said there is structural damage. And this is the pic that was provided. I am waiting for more pics, but in this one, is it obvious to you guys that this is damage to walk away from the deal.

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[MountainAlive]

Hard to tell what part of the truck that is? But in general I’d personally not buy an auction truck with damage unless it was heavily discounted. You’d want to look into what kind of title it has which can affect insurance and warranty coverage.

 

[B177y]

I agree with @MountainAlive above.

What's the damage (can't really tell anything from that pic)? Can it be fixed or has it been fixed? Will the dealer fix it before the sale? Normal or branded title? How great is the price? Is this a shady used car lot or an actual Ford dealer (which can also be shady, but that's a whole other thread in itself)?

Need lots more info if you want suggestions from the forum.

 

[Howieb456]

I think this was just a big nothing burger. That weld looked broken in my first pic but from this angle you can see it's just a finger wipe. That dent is the damage. I'd think it's nothing to worry about. Price is $60K for a 2025 with under 10K miles. Clean title. Nothing in Carfax or Autocheck.

 

[B177y]

If it was me....

I still can't tell anything from those pictures. If it's a Ford dealer, I'd try to get some sort of written guarantee that it's a "nothing burger". Maybe an extended warranty or something too.

If it's a no-name car lot, I'd take it to a 3rd party mechanic or Ford dealer for a used car check and see what they say.

 

[Howieb456]

Sorry, forgot to mention it is a Ford dealer. And being a bit paranoid, as I have been looking for about four weeks for a truck. I've lost a couple deals already. Nothing local to me in Michigan with a sunroof. This truck will require me flying out to get it and driving it home. Was originally only considering a Lariat, but this Platinum came into view and it's only a few grand more than the Lariats I have been looking at. I don't tow, and drive 30 miles round trip to work. I appreciate all your advice.

 

[Flipper]

I would pull the trigger if you see no other damage and the title is clean

 

[MountainAlive]

I would pull the trigger if you see no other damage and the title is clean

Yeah if that little dent is really the only thing and the title and history are good then game on!

 

[The Weatherman]

I wouldn’t let that stop me, but I would want that price down closer to $55k.

 

[CD4TNF]

Nothing local to me in Michigan with a sunroof. This truck will require me flying out to get it and driving it home.

This was me 2 years ago. It was a great trip back. You'll have an awesome trip driving your lightning home.

 

[Howieb456]

Well, I pulled the trigger and put in a credit app and deposit on the truck, picking it up the week of the 20th. Didn't have much luck negotiation the price down, but I feel it's still a great price on such a low mileage truck. Now just need to figure out the charging logistics at my house. Thanks for the advice

 

[Zprime29]

Well, I pulled the trigger and put in a credit app and deposit on the truck, picking it up the week of the 20th. Didn't have much luck negotiation the price down, but I feel it's still a great price on such a low mileage truck. Now just need to figure out the charging logistics at my house. Thanks for the advice

Congrats. Biggest suggestion I can think of is to make sure it can DCFC before you head out of town. Last thing you want to discover is 2.5 hours into your trek home you find it won't take a charge. Maybe pick up a NACS-to-CCS adapter if you don't have one and plan on using Tesla SC's. A2Z makes a really nice one and typically has a discount. (Note: make sure it's the DC adaptor, as level 2 NACS adapters will NOT work with the SC's).

 

[MountainAlive]

Congrats. Biggest suggestion I can think of is to make sure it can DCFC before you head out of town. Last thing you want to discover is 2.5 hours into your trek home you find it won't take a charge. Maybe pick up a NACS-to-CCS adapter if you don't have one and plan on using Tesla SC's. A2Z makes a really nice one and typically has a discount. (Note: make sure it's the DC adaptor, as level 2 NACS adapters will NOT work with the SC's).

Great tip. I suppose another thing to check or ask the dealer to check is the state of charge on the 12v battery.

 

[hturnerfamily]

you'll also find that with EVs, the old school 'mileage' philosophy does not hold the same concerns and conditions for used models... as there is no oil to change, no transmission to have issues, no maintenance, for the most part, other than brake pads, which are used certainly MUCH less that the typical gas vehicle, and will last many times longer... my '22 PRO SR Lightning has over 71,000 miles, and you wouldn't tell one ioda of difference versus the day it was born... I have rotated the tires - which is the only thing, for maintenance, that a shop has done, since day one.

 

[K6CCC]

A2Z makes a really nice one and typically has a discount. (Note: make sure it's the DC adaptor, as level 2 NACS adapters will NOT work with the SC's).

Here's the link to the correct A2Z adapter - I'm very happy with mine.
https://a2zev.com/collections/charging-adapters/products/nacs-ccs1

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