Potential LR4 Owner - Accident History

Hi All,

New time poster here, apologies if I cover things in this post that may be elsewhere on the forums, but from first check I don't think they are.

So I have just moved out to the middle East, thought I want to take advantage of the great outdoors, have a car that can take me camping, off roading, fit my bike and also take me to work.

Essentially I arrived at the conclusion to go LR4, largely down to this site quashing my fears of unreliability and pointing me in the direction of a 2010 - 2013 V8 over the v6.

Fast forward to now, short list my vehicles to about 5. Then narrow that down to 1 as a good condition 2012 pops up, with a 1 year warranty from the dealer (I say dealer, more seems a big workshop with lots oof fancy cars and an office down a back road), seems about the price of other models like this, other ones I have shortlisted are slightly cheaper but 2010 models, but private sellers and no warranty, All around the 130 - 170k km mark. The other 2012 in the short list is a bit more expensive, largely as it iis white, but again, no warranty.

I went to test drive today, my issue I realised is nothing to baseline against in terms of a good Condition LR4. They say it is good (they are salesmen), I am going tomorrow to get an independent mechanic to check it out (again will want business..).

With that I need some advice for some of the things I noticed:

1. The big one, I managed to find the VIN on inspecting the engine, not found in door well as expected. This showed up following googling that it had been in 2 x accidents in 2012, however the local police site showed no accidents:
a) collision with fixed object offroad (front left angle, vehicle front, bonnet)
b) multi-vehicle collision, not leaving enough space. (vehicle rear, other)

2. Brakes seemed a bit slow and soft. I have been driving the work prado, this years model, so maybe just not used to an older model car.

3. A slight vibration sound, not feeling any vibrations I might add. I have seen another thread on this so no need to expand on this point too much.

4. Slight wear and tear on buttons and instruments, for example e-brake seemed a bit temperamental, bonnet took a couple of tries to properly shut.

Overall assessment it drove OK, not quite as responsive as my Prado in terms of acceleration or cornering, went over the speed bumps well, couldn't test suspension much more than that.

Basically, should I avoid it like the plague?
What things should I focus on checking when I see it again tomorrow?
What should I realistically expect this car to perform like and feel like inside? Should it have a brilliant stopping distance and be able to steer around a corner easily with one finger.

I will try to test drive another one or two, but wary of waiting too long in case I am missing out on a good car here.

Any advice greatly appreciated. This forum has been a fountain of knowledge so far and I feel like one more hurdle until I can officially be part of the club.

Thanks,

J

No idea on the market for an LR4 in the Middle East but:
- how many miles?
- can you get maintenance history
- Is it discounted at all due to the accidents compared with similar LR4s?
-Do you have a full listing in writing on what’s covered in the warranty?
- Will you be performing repairs and basic maintenance?

Not sure why folks are put off by the V6. I test drive both and actually like the V6 with the 8 speed better.

zski128 said:

No idea on the market for an LR4 in the Middle East but:
- how many miles?
- can you get maintenance history
- Is it discounted at all due to the accidents compared with similar LR4s?
-Do you have a full listing in writing on what’s covered in the warranty?
- Will you be performing repairs and basic maintenance?

Not sure why folks are put off by the V6. I test drive both and actually like the V6 with the 8 speed better.

Click to expand...

Thank you for such a quick reply, appreciated.

The market is fairly small for LR4s and I guess more used for going to the shops than off roading. It does mean that when they do come up for sale, they go about as quick.

You see about a million land cruisers, jeeps, pajeros and patrols out here and people love to chuck them around the desert. I basically opted for this as for the price and compared to the others it will be a bit more of a nicer place to be when commuting most the time. But can still take it out into the wilderness on weekends.

- 80,000 miles roughly. Not bad for the region (assuming they haven't fiddled with the numbers).
- They have a book in the car, I didn't notice any howlers, however will look properly at 2012 tomorrow. Assuming it is in there. What should be big red flags?
- not discounted, but then not advertised as having accidents. Could have been minor damage and just cosmetic though I guess. Will raise tomorrrow.
- I don't, but I can get one. What should I expect to be in one?
- I will be performing repairs and basic maintenance for what I can. Others I will take to a shop. Will use most of what is on this site already for a good guide.

Was your V6 post 2013? I haven't seen much comment on this site of a V6 pre-2014, which is in part what made me steer clear.

I have a 2016 which the only engine choice is the V6 since 2013. The knob shifter is the other “major” difference with the 8 speed transmission. Didn’t like it at first but after using it I like it now.

Unless you get a complete accident history I would steer clear unless it’s discounted.

That’s fairly low miles but I would check to make sure that all the knownnissues have been take care of or are not an issue. That would be control arms bushings, air compressor, timing chains, parking brake is in good order, no leaks in the air suspension, coolant leaks, etc. I would check that the warranty includes at least all major items and that people have used it successfully without issue.

zski128 said:

I have a 2016 which the only engine choice is the V6 since 2013. The knob shifter is the other “major” difference with the 8 speed transmission. Didn’t like it at first but after using it I like it now.

Unless you get a complete accident history I would steer clear unless it’s discounted.

That’s fairly low miles but I would check to make sure that all the knownnissues have been take care of or are not an issue. That would be control arms bushings, air compressor, timing chains, parking brake is in good order, no leaks in the air suspension, coolant leaks, etc. I would check that the warranty includes at least all major items and that people have used it successfully without issue.

Click to expand...

2013's have the V8. They were actually produced until fairly late in to calendar 2013. The SC V6's started in MY 2014.

Can your mechanic check obd 2 scan with very detail scan? He check if all solenoids , valves function or not by turning them off or on by scan tool and make sure lots of hidden problems don’t get over looked.
Or Can you ask seller to have it scanned by dealer?
Check for misaligned panels , make sure no frame bending at all.
Assuming that mechanic will check compression test for piston and so forth.

not sure about no VIN on side. Stolen vs stolen and taken to different country vs something else.

discount is in order with accident.
Walk away couple of times if you need to and pretend that you liked something else too.
If you buy it , at least change all fluids as soon as you can including oil, coolant, transmission fluid and filter, transfer case, both differential , break fluid, steering fluid and supercharger( if applicable) .

ask him if seven day rental for money is allowed. Usually driving around 100 miles or so will give very good idea about condition of car.
If you sense uneasiness Or feel that they r hiding something, walk away.
Thx
This is an amazing vehicle altogether so best of luck.

Thanks for the tips. Noted them all down and will flag to the mechanic tomorrrow.

Along with the bits about the accident and see what they say.

The people in the dealers said they had mechanics on hand and a kit to test the electronics, but I wouldn't know whereto start.

Great idea on the rental, I will give that a shot. I am hoping if it was an accident back in 2012 but is still running now that it was only something cosmetic.

Really appreciate the help and advice.

Just thought I would update those of you that commented and gave advice.

Took the car to a separate mechanic, they had a good look at it and took it for a drive and said it was all good. Just needed from suspension arms changed soon.

Took it back to the dealer and they said they would change it all for me.

With that I went on and got the car, need to wait a couple of weeks for it all to be registered but then can properly take it out and about. First things for me to do are get a diagnostics tool, a roof rack then work on the wheels and tyres for off roading.

Thanks again