Macbook Pro diagnostic error VFD002

[Shed209]

I recently bought a 2013 Macbook Pro 13 Retina from a famous auction website, and while it seems alright from limited use, when I ran the diagnostic test (holding D at startup) it is giving me the error:

"There maybe be an issue with the display. Reference Code VFD002"

Does anyone know what issue this might be?

Would you return the machine in my position?

 

[duervo]

As the error mentions, there’s a problem with your display. Possibly with the backlight. That seems to be the most common at least.

Anyway, I certainly would not keep a system in a situation like that. I’d definitely return it if I were you, or be prepared to also pay for a new display on top of what was already paid.

 

[Shed209]

Is there any chance this could be something benign? The seller is adamant that the Macbook never showed any signs of a problem, and I've not seen anything untoward yet.

 

[duervo]

It's possible. It wouldn't be the first time that Apple Diagnostics gave a false positive result.

However, unless I knew the seller personally, and could vouch for their usage habits, I would still be wary, and would return it, but that's me ... when it comes to things like this, I don't put much faith in strangers being honest. Keep in mind, if there is an issue with that system, that is only noticeable through diagnostics, the seller would probably be motivated to get rid of it, and will behave as you've noticed (maintaining that it's "fine,") and would typically be resistant to anybody trying to return it for a refund.