The Toyota Hilux is a familiar sight on Australian roads. It’s popular with tradies, weekend travellers and anyone who needs a ute that can cop a bit of hard work. So, when a Perth buyer spotted a 2017 Toyota Hilux SR5, it seemed like a pretty good find. The seller said it had low kilometres and was mechanically sound. Just what the buyer wanted. But our Pre-Purchase Car Inspection team had a few surprises waiting underneath.
Our Pre-Purchase Car Inspection Spotted the Trouble
From the outside, the Hilux looked the part. Clean, tidy and ready to go. But our qualified inspector wasn’t there to admire the paintwork.
During the Pre-Purchase Inspection, he checked the steering, suspension, tyres and underbody. That’s when the red flags popped up.
The steering and suspension components had excessive wear. The tyres were worn, too, and the underbody showed signs of a much harder working life than the odometer suggested.
Not quite the trouble-free ute the buyer had been promised.
Low Kilometres Don’t Mean Little Wear
Here’s where things get interesting. A ute can spend years hauling gear, towing trailers and bouncing along rough tracks without piling on huge kilometres.
Our inspector walked the buyer through the findings and recommended getting repair costs for the worn components and tyres before committing to the purchase.
The used car pre purchase inspection gave the buyer a chance to see past the seller’s sales pitch and understand what needed attention.
Also Read – Rust, Heat, and Off-Road Damage| Top 3 Red Flags in Australian Used Vehicles
Pre-Purchase Car Inspection Gave The Buyer Room to Rethink the Deal
Instead of discovering these problems after handing over the cash, the buyer had a detailed report to work with. They could use the findings to negotiate a better price or walk away before taking on a costly repair bill.
That’s what a Pre-Purchase Inspection should do. Our Used auto inspection gives buyers a clearer picture before they buy.
The Hilux may have had low kilometres, but it certainly hadn’t had an easy life. And thanks to our Pre-Purchase Inspection, the buyer wasn’t going in blind.
