Buying a used RX400h

[Eddy1]

After failing to buy a GS450h last week I’m going to view an Rx400h next week.

The car has a hybrid Battery check and full Lexus service history.

Im going to put warranty on for 6 months just in case as it’s a private purchase.

What should I pay attention to on these cars as I I’m no mechanic and can only do code reads on car with paint thickness pen. Do they have a rust problem ?? Would that be easy to spot on a visual health check. What about brake callipers and are they easy to repair or do you have to have specialists look at them?

[royoftherovers]

5 minutes ago, Eddy1 said:

After failing to buy a GS450h last week I’m going to view an Rx400h next week.

The car has a hybrid battery check and full Lexus service history.

Im going to put warranty on for 6 months just in case as it’s a private purchase.

What should I pay attention to on these cars as I I’m no mechanic and can only do code reads on car with paint thickness pen. Do they have a rust problem ?? Would that be easy to spot on a visual health check. What about brake callipers and are they easy to repair or do you have to have specialists look at them?

Eddy,

In your first line did you mean "GS450h" ?

Most 3rd party warranties will not start until you have had the vehicle for x months(probably3)

Most 3rd party warranties will not cover problems which were existing or developing at the time the warranty is taken out.

Can you not find what you want from a Lexus Dealer as he will probably give you a 12 month warranty  which will cover most problems and you would have the benefit of the 6 month Statutory Warranty which obligates the Trader/Dealer ?

[Eddy1]

Thanks John  your reply.

Yes I viewed a GS 450h saloon last week 58plate with 98k miles but it had issues so decided to leave it as advised on here.

This is Rx400h but I’m open to saloon or Rx as I already have X5 for practicality.

Anyway dealers are about 8-9k for Rx400h from Lexus and traders don’t seem to have good examples.

I’ve seen an older model with low miles and the quote for warranty seems about £800-1000.

I plan to run warranty for a year and if no issues cancel at 6 months. Warranties don’t cover existing problems but I’m hoping my code reader will help and the hybrid Battery check will cover for 12 months. After 90 days it should cover wear and tear. For a 12 year old car not sure if it’s worth the warranty’s as it’s not worth a lot.

What items would you guys look out for on the Rx400h as it’s a bit different to a GS problem list.

[royoftherovers]

7 minutes ago, Eddy1 said:

Thanks Roy for your reply.

Yes I viewed a GS 450h saloon last week 58plate with 98k miles but it had issues so decided to leave it as advised on here.

This is Rx400h but I’m open to saloon or Rx as I already have X5 for practicality.

Anyway dealers are about 8-9k for Rx400h from Lexus and traders don’t seem to have good examples.

I”be seen an older model with low miles and the quote for warranty seems about £800-1000.

I plan to run warranty for a year and if no issues cancel at 6 months. Warranties don’t cover existing problems but I’m hoping my code reader will help and the hybrid battery check will cover for 12 months. After 90 days it should cover wear and tear. For a 12 year old car not sure if it’s worth the warranty’s as it’s not worth a lot.

What items would you guys look out for on the Rx400h as it’s a bit different to a GS problem list.

Thanks Eddy and good luck.Please do report back, with piccies if possible.

[Lager shandy]

I would personally check the mot history and latest one for advisory ask for a new mot from a Lexus dealer site .

check everything works going around the car door by door and internally 

check for worn looking tyres side wall cuts and bulges 

check for scored rusty discs through wheel 

check panel fit gaps should be the same all round tyre to wheel arch gap should be the same 

is the engine noisy or smoke on start up leaks underneath

when driving is there any droning noises gently steer left and right to test wheel bearings 

is the steering wheel straight when driving does it pull left or right when you gently let go off steering wheel

take for good run then to see if it over heats or temp rises above halfway 

chips in windscreen expensive to replace 

bearing in mind a Lexus dealer carry out the mot should high light most things you could pay a hours labour for a vehicle health check 

if the sellers honest and good should say yes.

good luck 

 

[Eddy1]

39 minutes ago, Lager shandy said:

I would personally check the mot history and latest one for advisory ask for a new mot from a Lexus dealer site .

check everything works going around the car door by door and internally 

check for worn looking tyres side wall cuts and bulges 

check for scored rusty discs through wheel 

check panel fit gaps should be the same all round tyre to wheel arch gap should be the same 

is the engine noisy or smoke on start up leaks underneath

when driving is there any droning noises gently steer left and right to test wheel bearings 

is the steering wheel straight when driving does it pull left or right when you gently let go off steering wheel

take for good run then to see if it over heats or temp rises above halfway 

chips in windscreen expensive to replace 

bearing in mind a Lexus dealer carry out the mot should high light most things you could pay a hours labour for a vehicle health check 

if the sellers honest and good should say yes.

good luck 

 

That’s good advice, maybe I need to take you with me and pay you for your trouble.😀

The vehicle check is free but it’s just visual they won’t check for brake callipers or operation of safety devices as in mot. Maybe I should get MOt done instead of health check ?

i will take your advice but I’m not clued up on the test drive to be honest .. not sure about sounds to listen too etc. Anyone from Yorkshire or Manchester?

 

[Eddy1]

Booked in for Mot this Thursday at Lexus Leeds. Will see how car drives on the day.

Hoping to not find anything wrong but will put a Warrantydirect cover from day one.

Hope there is some negotiation but it the car is spot on then it will be a good buy.

[royoftherovers]

9 hours ago, Eddy1 said:

Booked in for Mot this Thursday at Lexus Leeds. Will see how car drives on the day.

Hoping to not find anything wrong but will put a Warrantydirect cover from day one.

Hope there is some negotiation but it the car is spot on then it will be a good buy.

But can  a Warranty Direct warranty start from day one ?

[Eddy1]

Yes it can as long as it’s not wear and tear and has had service within last 12 months. No pre-existing problems. It needs to be something out of the blue... like engine failure or gearbox without any codes or warning prior . Highly unlikely as Ecu logs this.

[Lydiamight]

The slide pins on the rear callipers are often seized or partially seized on a vehicle of this age. A Lexus dealer will want you to replace the callipers at enormous cost---don't do this. A Lexus "specialist" can remove the slide pins, clean up, re-grease and fit new slide pins for a fraction of the cost.

[Eddy1]

Just spoke to Warrantydirect. They don’t cover any of the hybrid systems. So paying £800/year  is a waste of money.

The most likely problem is inverter, coolant pump , hybrid Battery.

rest is just suspension etc like a normal car issues.

So may be going with hybrid health check and mot and leave it to chance as saving 800/yr will build a lump sum for repairs.

[Eddy1]

On 7/30/2019 at 9:55 AM, Lydiamight said:

The slide pins on the rear callipers are often seized or partially seized on a vehicle of this age. A Lexus dealer will want you to replace the callipers at enormous cost---don't do this. A Lexus "specialist" can remove the slide pins, clean up, re-grease and fit new slide pins for a fraction of the cost.

Will the dealer check these on VHC how can I inspect the this??

[Mr Vlad]

To check caliper sliders the easiest way is to inspect the brake pads. Both pads should be almost the same thickness. If one is for example 60% warn and the other is 90% warn then there is a problem of sticking caliper. 

Rust under the car of this age is rife. Suspension springs could be snapped but easy to check.

Don't use Lexus Leeds. Travel to Bradford or better still Stockport. 

[Eddy1]

Ok I’ve decided will go to Stockport on Thursday. Will check pad thickness 

Assuming dealer will mention rust on mot 

[Eddy1]

Viewed a car today in Nottingham. 

This is the second car I have viewed which had multiple panels which had been resprayed.

Everything else checks out. Needs some bodywork but passed all test mot and battery test.

what do you guys advice as the last car was same and I rejected it on you advice. Does anyone own a car on here which has factory paint all round or is that a rare find these days?

 

 

 

[Herbie]

I don't know if you're looking at Lexus dealers or independent dealers, but I'd imagine that the best examples will be from Lexus themselves, through their approved scheme. I certainly had no trouble getting my perfect example from Lexus Teeside.

[Eddy1]

29 minutes ago, Herbie said:

I don't know if you're looking at Lexus dealers or independent dealers, but I'd imagine that the best examples will be from Lexus themselves, through their approved scheme. I certainly had no trouble getting my perfect example from Lexus Teeside.

Was looking at private sale. The chap had bought from Lexus but it only had one panel factory. So Lexus can also sell like that. Otherwise the chap must have had 4-5 panels resprayed.

 

[Herbie]

1 hour ago, Eddy1 said:

Otherwise the chap must have had 4-5 panels resprayed.

I wouldn't be surprised if that's what happened. Hope you find what you want Eddy 

[Eddy1]

Some of the pics

[Eddy1]

These can be sorted but it’s £350-400 refurbs and more resprays 200 per bumper.

[Herbie]

Obviously better to get something that's right from the off but when I stupidly did this to my RX300 a couple of years ago it was £150 to get it sorted and the guy did a brilliant job:

[Mr Vlad]

A car of 10 years or older will probably have had some kind of bodywork/paint in its life. It's normal. However the quality of the work should be more than good. Even if 5 of 6 panels have had paint then colour match must be near perfect. Bad panel gaps mean something is bent which the panel is attached to. Buying older cars is risky But there are loads of good clean example's out there. Just be patient. Looks like you're willing to travel which is a bonus.

[Eddy1]

Interestingly this code came up when I used carly Toyota to scan.

DTC 0c1241

This is abs malfunction and  would require extensive investigation 

https://www.purefjcruiser.com/docs/2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser Repair Manual/Brake Control/Vehicle Stability Control System/0280021.pdf

 

just as well I didn’t buy.

[Herbie]

25 minutes ago, Eddy1 said:

This is abs malfunction and  would require extensive investigation

Possibly, but more likely to be the 12V Battery because that DTC is generated if Battery voltage drops below 9V.

[luckylemon]

Hi, I am in the same boat, hunting for a good Rx400h.

I saw some good-ish example but was not sure about it being a little noisier at a speed than I would expect. Particularly at speed 30mph and more.

What is the best way to check technical condition of the car?  Can someone assist me with that? Or, can I bring it to Lexus so they can look at it?

Location - London.

Thank you