Toyota parts stickers

[Power_uP]

Hi guys, maybe I'm being paranoid again but I hope someone can help me out.

I've been offered another AE82, and the seller assures me that its "all original". The issue I have is that the front bumper brackets have some 'Genuine Toyota Parts' stickers on them. The brackets also look a little too new to be the original items, so I was wandering if anyone here has ever seen an "all original" Toyota with these parts stickers on any components. I don't think I've ever seen those stickers on a car unless the parts have been replaced at some point in the car's life.

Now, maybe the car really is original, but my suspicion is that (with or without the current owner's knowledge) the car has been in a front end collision. I can't see any obvious damage or repairs other than those brackets looking too new. Perhaps I'm being paranoid and the car is perfectly fine and its just had some restoration work done recently.

If anyone here has trouble understanding what stickers I'm referring to, here's a photo from one of the few components I still have (obviously this isn't a bumper bracket but its the same type of sticker):



*Edit*
Before anyone gives me hell for looking at cars during Covid19 lockdown. Yeah, I'm living dangerously right now but I think I'll be OK.

[banpei]

I have never seen these stickers on anything else than spare parts. But I'm not a Toyota mechanic, so I can't tell for 100% sure.

[Power_uP]

(04-13-2020 09:17 PM)banpei Wrote:  I have never seen these stickers on anything else than spare parts. But I'm not a Toyota mechanic, so I can't tell for 100% sure.

My experience has been the same so far. I used to work for a Toyota specialist (many years ago) and I don't remember seeing those stickers on any cars I worked on (unless the car had been repaired). I've also owned many Toyotas and the parts with stickers were always the parts I had replaced myself.

Its impossible to be certain about the car's history. Maybe the brackets were replaced at the dealership before the car was sold to the original owner (much worse happens at main dealers, believe me).

Having been burned on an expensive "all original" car before (yet another AE82 in 2003), I'll pass on this one.

[Bean]

If it has a sticker on my bet would be it has been replaced - why is anyone's guess

[Power_uP]

I've given up on buying that car. If we're being realistic here, its insanity to buy another car during an uncertain lockdown period. The price seems a little too good to be true, and if he was really selling an "all original" AE82 then I'm sure he would have plenty of success on eBay nowadays.

[banpei]

I think that's a wise decision. If the car already casts so many doubts it's probably too good to be true anyway.