Second hand purchase, any advice for common problems I should look out for?

Hi all,
After years of wanting a Tundra and years of not being able to afford one (they are usually AUD$120k+ second hand with >60,000Miles here in Australia), I finally decided to accept some compromises in order to make it possible, with reasons described below.

I have selected a potential vehicle that I am serious enough about that I am going to fly interstate in the next day or two to inspect it, but I thought I should get some final advice from the people who are passionate about their Tundras like I will be about mine.

To get to the point, the car I am looking at has 120,000miles on it - which is the kind of mileage I would normally be sending any other car off to the wreckers on the back of a flatbed tow truck at… But this is a Toyota and from what I have read from most Tundra owners, 120k isn’t really a big deal for a Tundra that has been well looked after and regularly maintained?

I am somewhat confident that I can do most servicing and maintenance of the vehicle myself, having owned an MKIV RZ Supra that I know for a fact had 120,000miles on it by the time I sold it, but was still problem free and in showroom condition when I sold it because I passionately looked after it.

Anyway, I digress… so the car is a 2017 Platnium, 120k miles on it and has obviously been converted to RHD as we won’t have factory delivered vehicles until 2024.

I had to compromise in Milage and Years in order to meet the price tag - but again, I obviously feel that this is feasible enough to be spending 70K on still, which would give me an almost new Ranger Raptor here in Aus… but yeh, no thanks.

So I’m going to inspect this truck - what should I be on the lookout for? Any common issues that could be a deal breaker or indication of a money pit?
Any often overlooked issues that you wish you had known about before you got a Tundra?


Any particular issues with the 2017 model Platnium?

What, if any features were lacking on the 2017 that came out on the 2018/2019/2020/2021 models ?

What modifications or upgrades would you recommend making (if any) as far as suspension, electrical, headlights, interior etc go (for a daily driver, on roads, no snow, occasional dirt road driving but by no means close to a 4wd enthusiast) ?

It’s a lot of money to drop on a second hand car with 120k miles on it I am sure many would agree - any input and advice much appreciated and thanks in advance!

 

If well taken care I wouldn't hesitate on 120k miles. This video shows the biggest things to watch out for:



The 2017 will have a transmission cooler, which the 18+ lost. I'm not aware of any other major changes, especially since you're looking at a Platinum. The gauge cluster in the 18+ had a redesign.

 

Thanks! Wasn’t aware of the gauge cluster redesign, I’ll have to have a closer look now!

 

Make sure you cycle thru the 4wd system. Make sure it engages in 4H and 4L. Have to be in neutral to engage 4L. Check for cam tower oil leak.