Thread: What to look for when buying a used diesel 4x4

Don't know how to make stickies!

I think using your ears is v important when road testing too. Mudgrip tyres will always hum, but beyond that good to listen for wheel bearings - kind of a groink groink at 30-40k. Also listen at 70-100ks for diff whine, and humming noises which can be driveshaft UJs or shaft centre bearing in LWBs. Unusual vibrations can also be driveshaft.

A checklist can save heaps. For example we recently looked at a 96 Wizard advertised as quite good nick. Motor and box were quite ok but alot of other bits b*ggered. On checking the thing it was clear no-one had done proper maintenance on it for years. Our estimate $4000 to put new tyres on it and fix up all the worn/noisy bits/leaking bits - almost as much as the purchase price! Someone else bought it - ouch!!

Remember to take a little torch with you to check bits. Not a maxtoch which will leave you blind for the next 20 minutes........