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I am currently looking at buying a 2nd hand 2.8L Toyota Hilux, 1994. It has done 260,000 km's and I'm not sure of the service history, apparently it's in good nick.

It is going for what seems a good price, 5-6k. I would use the Hilux for the occasional hunting trip, towing, and as a vehicle for getting around town.

Generally speaking, how much more would you expect to get out of such a vehicle with this many km's on the clock?

Do you have any advice for me before I consider the purchase?

Geoff

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 10 November 2009

It's a tough call. You are heading into the 'red zone' so to speak and you would have to be prepared to spend on repairs as they came along.

While a vehicle can be considered in good condition that statement normally covers what you can see and touch. If you don't know the service history then the risks get greater.

I would much rather buy a vehicle with a proven service history that has a few obvious dents and bruises than taking the opposite approach.

The other important point is the conditions the vehicle has been exposed to. If it has been off-road on a regular basis then the wear and tear factor increases significantly.

Having said that, Toyota have a great name for reliability, so in that respect you are looking at the right make and model for a vehicle travelled such a large distance with an unknown service history.

If you do purchase, make sure a full service is high on the priority list and the price you pay for the vehicle reflects this potential high cost.