I bought a refurbished tomtom one, and I got a message telling me that it was too late to update the maps for free. Any solutions?

You will know if your (specific) unit comes with a free life-time map update if it says so on the retail box that it comes in. Usually there is an "M" ... indicating free Map updates. A "T" indicates free Traffic (info) updates.
Otherwise, you can register the unit (on the TomTom website), and use the TomTom HOME software .... to find out. When you connect the unit to your computer running the TT HOME software, it will automatically tell you if/when you have updates ... including any free map updates

Assuming you bought your TomTom BRAND NEW in a TomTom box, I don't think it will be free, depending on the specific offer you got inside your GPS box. In most cases, it's just a discount. TomTom maps are around $100 for 4 quaterly updates (4 updates in one year). My TomTom came with a $15 discount, no free maps. Your offer may be different.

You will only get a free update on a new device if you install tomtom home on your computer and login withing the first 2-3 months of purchasing your device. Also, if you purchased a device that is "refurbished" or "recertified" then you do not get this free update and your map can be up to about a year and a half old. In this case, you would have to purchase a map update. To update you will have to install TomTom Home on your computer (download from TomTom.com) and login. You can typically purchase one update for about 45 USD or purchase a year of updates for just a little more (like 59.99 USD). A "year of updates" gives you an updated map each quarter for one year. I don't know that I would have bought a TomTom for use outside of North America or the UK. Sorry.

I had the same problem before on a TomTom GO 730. The free internal memory was too small to hold the updated map so installation failed (the download to PC was OK, the message is misleading).
It's a TomTom software bug to not check on the available free memory properly before the update process is started.
My TomTom device required a new software install from scratch. Remove any excess MP3 or unused voices before you retry the update.

1) You need to download and install TomTom Home on your PC/Laptop: see attached official TomTom link:
http://www.tomtom.com/services/service.php?id=16

2) You will then need to connect your GPS unit via the provided USB cable to your PC/Laptop withTomTom Home running and connected to the internet.

3) Your current MAP can then be updated via the 'Update' selection. Any other 'system' files will also be updated automatically using this function.

4) Using TomTom Home, you can also download free add-ons such as 'Voices' and 'Colors schemes'.

If you just bought the unit within 3 months, you can update to the latest Map free of charge using 'Latest Map Guarantee' function in TomTom Home otherwise, there are NO FREE ADDITIONAL FREE MAPS.

Hope it Help: let me know how you go!

If your TomTom is new and not refurbished you have 30 days to download the new maps. You must have TomTom Home installed on your PC and TomTom will determine if you are eligable for the new map update.

i'm sorry BUT I HAVE TO TELL U THAT THERE AREN'T ANY FREE tomtom MAPS and updates unless u buy tomtom with already installed map

but there is a way to crack tomtom map 
but if you're not good with pc's you can't do it
i have done it and i have to tell that is pretty complicated and is better to buy maps then try to do it the bad way

SORRy

No mpas found issue:
http://www.tomtom.com/support/index.php?Language=1&query=no+maps+found&FID=9838

These error's occur when units have cracked maps put on them.
When you update your tomtom device it will replace the cracked file with the original tomtom file.

these units on ebay are mainly refurbished units even tho they are in 'sealed' packaging, they opened your box, put cracked maps and sell the device for more then what they have paid for it.

Best to take it back to person you purchased it from.

avoid tomtom products from ebay, most of them have cracked maps.

Thanks,
Pabs

Ok, here we go:
1: Do a completly backup via win explorer or similar.
Copy entire content of unit to a folder on your computer.
Remember to set win explorer to show system/hidden files.
2: Make an account here for free:
http://www.tomtom.com/myTomTom/myProfile/index.php
3: Download and install TomTom Home:
http://www.tomtom.com/support/support.php?ID=3&Language=4
4: Connect unit to PC, TT Home starts up. If TT Home doesn't start, start it up manually.
5: When unit tells you to, tap Connect to computer
6: Log on with info from account creation, step 2.
7: Push Update my device from within TT Home.
8: DO NOT disconnect the unit while updating.

When updating is finished, disconnect unit.
The unit will then reboot, and you are done...

Tips:
You can get one free map update if a new map is avaible within 30 days from when you first started to use the unit. This is done through TT Home...

Good luck.
More questions, don't hesitate to post them here.
(Please remember to rate this solution....)