Nine Toyota 4WD wagons in the Instant Auto Reach Inspection Index ranged from a 2023 LandCruiser 300 in very good condition to a 1998 Prado rated poor. The median odometer was 184,348 km. Age mattered less than where and how each one had been used.
| Instant Auto Reach Case File | Vehicle | Odometer | Rating | Main finding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A24AAADB | 2023 LandCruiser 300 VX | 36,570 km | Very good | Rear tyre shoulder wear only |
| A1ABCDCC | 2018 Prado | 184,348 km | Good to very good | Rear shock, rear seatbelt, wipers for roadworthy |
| A1D8C3DB | 2016 FJ Cruiser | 84,031 km | Very good | Tyres at about 1.5 mm |
| A1D13388 | 2015 FJ Cruiser | 106,316 km | Fair to good | Cracked control arm bushes, diff lock not engaging |
| A22ACFFD | 2015 Prado | 215,263 km | Good | Rear rotors and pads worn, cracked shock mount |
| A2C0257F | 2014 Prado VX | 135,682 km | Good to very good | One litre low on oil, spare tyre unroadworthy |
| A2491862 | 2006 Prado GXL | 271,682 km | Fair | Widespread corrosion, signs of coastal use |
| A1156353 | 2006 Prado | 222,520 km | Poor to fair | Would not pass roadworthy without major work |
| A1DEE363 | 1998 Prado | 311,385 km | Poor | Rust in the cooling system, steering rack leak |
Three things these 4WDs taught us
1. Where it lived matters more than the year
The 2006 Prado GXL had surface corrosion across the body, engine bay, coil springs and even the turbocharger housing. Our inspector read it as long exposure to salt water and heavy off-road use. Two 2006 Prados, two very different risks.
2. Test the 4WD system, not just the drive
On the 2015 FJ Cruiser the rear differential lock did not engage. The repair could be minor or expensive, and you cannot tell which without diagnosis. That uncertainty is worth money in a negotiation.
3. Roadworthy items add up quietly
On the 2018 Prado, nothing was wrong with the engine or gearbox. But a shock absorber, a seatbelt and wiper blades all stood between the buyer and a roadworthy certificate. Our guide on what fails a roadworthy in Victoria lists the usual ones.
Buying one to tow
The buyer of the 2006 Prado GXL planned long-distance towing. Our report flagged the tyres, which may have dated from 2018, and the rear brakes as things to fix first. Tell your inspector what you plan to do with the vehicle. It changes what matters.
What a good one looks like
The LandCruiser 300 had a full service history, two keys, a clear PPSR, no fault codes and a chassis in factory condition. That is the benchmark, and it is what lets you pay strong money without second-guessing.
A reviewer who bought a diesel 4×4 through our Ultimate package said the stress and uncertainty were replaced with confidence, and that we handled the negotiation with the dealership on price and repairs.
Book a ute and 4WD inspection or a Toyota inspection. More Toyota data is in what 53 used Toyota inspections found.
Two Prados, Same Year, Very Different Risks
With Toyota 4WDs, where a vehicle lived and how it was used decides its condition more than its age. Coastal corrosion, worn 4WD hardware and towing wear only show up when someone gets underneath and tests everything.
Tell us what you plan to do with it, whether that is towing, touring or the school run, and we will inspect with that in mind. You get photos, a severity rating on every finding and a plain buy, negotiate or walk.
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