Buying a 2006 Lexus RX 400h SE

[SpringHead]

Good day,

 

I’m sure you long term members have had the following question thousands of times….I have looked through threads but am still looking for advice please.

I have the option of buying a 2006 (56 reg) RX 400h SE with 43k on the clock…what are the pitfalls?

I’ve checked MOT data and on the last test it sailed through but the previous one (December 2019) had lots of advisory’s: ball joint dust covers, both front suspension arm pins or bushes worn. I know some test centres can be easy going and wonder if the works to rectify faults may have be done or not, if they haven’t how much do you think it would cost to put them right?

I’ve never owned a hybrid car (I've have four XC90’s over the past 10 years) and am wondering if the Battery could ever be an expensive issue for me?

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated…………………even if you tell me to forget this one and get a later model higher mileage

 

Many thanks in anticipation

[royoftherovers]

1 hour ago, SpringHead said:

Good day,

 

I’m sure you long term members have had the following question thousands of times….I have looked through threads but am still looking for advice please.

I have the option of buying a 2006 (56 reg) RX 400h SE with 43k on the clock…what are the pitfalls?

I’ve checked MOT data and on the last test it sailed through but the previous one (December 2019) had lots of advisory’s: ball joint dust covers, both front suspension arm pins or bushes worn. I know some test centres can be easy going and wonder if the works to rectify faults may have be done or not, if they haven’t how much do you think it would cost to put them right?

I’ve never owned a hybrid car (I've have four XC90’s over the past 10 years) and am wondering if the battery could ever be an expensive issue for me?

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated…………………even if you tell me to forget this one and get a later model higher mileage

 

Many thanks in anticipation

An MOT in Dec 19 would not require another one for another 3 months. If the Dealer selling this vehicle has done or arranged for the MOT to be done, I would walk away.

43K miles in 15 years equates to less than 8 miles daily !!

 

[SpringHead]

Thanks for the reply and advice RoyOfTheRovers

It had an MOT on 31/12/19 with the above advisory notes and then had another MOT on the 28/07/20 which is sailed through by the look of things. I don't think the dealer has had the car from 28th July but I could be wrong, do you think I should ask them?

If both front suspension arm pins or bushes are worn is it a big or expensive job to replace?

The reason it caught my eye is because of the low mileage which I think is above board/correct i.e. it hasn't been clocked

Just called the dealer, they didn't MOT it

[royoftherovers]

Hi Martin,

Firstly, I forgot to welcome you to the Lexus Owners Club !

Secondly, if you don`t buy this one, perhaps you will buy another Lexus.

Yes, you must ask the Dealer and keep a written note of whatever he says.

It is not unknown for Dealers to provide their own "arranged" M.O.T. certificates in order to lull the potential new owner into a false sense of security. They then use the M.O.T. to support their contention "that all was well when it left me Gov"

Have you checked the vehicles M.O.T. history and mileage?  https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

If the work that might need doing has been done properly ,then you will be fine for several years, if not then if you discover that within 6 months of purchase you might be able to urge the Selling Dealer to fix at his cost.

The very low mileage if genuine might also be a worry that necessary maintenance has not been carried out, but let us know what you find out from checking the link I gave you above.

I do not know how much it would cost were you to fund the repairs.

Stay in touch and let us know how you get on.

[rich1068]

Service history is everything Martin. I would be happy buying with the MOT from July and with the much lower than average mileage so long as the service history is good. 

This or another, the RX400h is a cracking motor with bombproof reliability compared to its period rivals.

[SpringHead]

Roy and Rich, thanks again for your advice, it really is appreciated and thanks for the welcome too

 

I've just been told that it has full dealer service history (awesome) and only one owner.

I'm going to take a look at it on Sunday and for once in my life go through ALL the paperwork

 

If I do purchase this car does anybody know by chance if there is a Lexus specialist/independent in or around the Kent area (I'm not a fan of any brand of main dealers), although saying that I may get the Battery checked at a Lexus dealer

 

I'll keep you updated of my progress if you wish.

Thanks again for your knowledge and advice

[royoftherovers]

17 minutes ago, SpringHead said:

Roy and Rich, thanks again for your advice, it really is appreciated and thanks for the welcome too

 

I've just been told that it has full dealer service history (awesome) and only one owner.

I'm going to take a look at it on Sunday and for once in my life go through ALL the paperwork

 

If I do purchase this car does anybody know by chance if there is a Lexus specialist/independent in or around the Kent area (I'm not a fan of any brand of main dealers), although saying that I may get the battery checked at a Lexus dealer

 

I'll keep you updated of my progress if you wish.

Thanks again for your knowledge and advice

Did you check the mileage on the MOT website I sent to you ?

This is all I have on garages/Indies Martin.

Good luck.

Lexus Indie Garages (1).docx

[Spacewagon52]

i have just bought a low mileage example, however I rejected some low mileage cars on the basis of their MOT history. There was a grey one in London that I rejected for that reason. Rich may be right, if the service history is good then possibly the advisories have been attended to by the previous owner - but you can't trust a car dealer to complete advisory work as this eats into their profits.

Just my opinion, the guys on here ARE REALLY helpful!

[SpringHead]

Thanks Roy, you're a star

All MOT mileage adds up perfectly, looks like it had some type of body work damage back in 2008, I'll check that when I see it.

[SpringHead]

1 minute ago, Spacewagon52 said:

i have just bought a low mileage example, however I rejected some low mileage cars on the basis of their MOT history. There was a grey one in London that I rejected for that reason. Rich may be right, if the service history is good then possibly the advisories have been attended to by the previous owner - but you can't trust a car dealer to complete advisory work as this eats into their profits.

Just my opinion, the guys on here ARE REALLY helpful!

Thanks SpaceWagon, may I ask where or when you saw that one in London? The one I'm enquiring about is in London and it's silver/grey

[royoftherovers]

Just now, SpringHead said:

Thanks Roy, you're a star

All MOT mileage adds up perfectly, looks like it had some type of body work damage back in 2008, I'll check that when I see it.

Miracles do occasionally take us a little longer, Martin.

The entire Forum will be watching this Thread Martin, so be on your best behaviour.

[rich1068]

If it's the one I think it is then it looks like a lovely motor. And if it does indeed have full dealership history then there's no harm in contacting the servicing dealership and asking about it. Keep it friendly, assure them you don't want personal details, I've done that before.

[Herbie]

First of all, an advisory is just that, an advisory and not necessarily anything wrong.

Some MOT testers are over-zealous and put advisories on trivial things, so depending on what it is, an advisory wouldn't necessarily put me off buying a car.

Some cars have the same advisory year after year (like my old RX300 had when I bought it) but (a) it was trivial and (b) it had not got any worse year on year.

Secondly, if the car is as good as you think, I strongly suggest not waiting until Sunday, go and see it tomorrow morning or you genuinely risk losing out if someone else sees it and wants it.

[Herbie]

1 hour ago, SpringHead said:

although saying that I may get the battery checked at a Lexus dealer

Definitely do that.

A Hybrid Health Check can be part of a Lexus service or you can buy one as a stand-alone item for £59. As long as the car passes, Lexus then warranty the Battery for 12 months. Rinse and repeat every year until the car is 15 years old.

[royoftherovers]

1 hour ago, rich1068 said:

If it's the one I think it is then it looks like a lovely motor. And if it does indeed have full dealership history then there's no harm in contacting the servicing dealership and asking about it. Keep it friendly, assure them you don't want personal details, I've done that before.

You are right (again ! ) Richie. The legislation is designed to protect individuals not inanimate objects.

[Spacewagon52]

5 minutes ago, Herbie said:

First of all, an advisory is just that, an advisory and not necessarily anything wrong.

Some MOT testers are over-zealous and put advisories on trivial things, so depending on what it is, an advisory wouldn't necessarily put me off buying a car.

Some cars have the same advisory year after year (like my old RX300 had when I bought it) but (a) it was trivial and (b) it had not got any worse year on year.

Secondly, if the car is as good as you think, I strongly suggest not waiting until Sunday, go and see it tomorrow morning or you genuinely risk losing out if someone else sees it and wants it.

Very true, but if they are asking top dollar that may put some buyers off. Personally I would always pay extra for a good one - but even with due diligence we can make mistakes and buy a lemon. Sometimes it is down to luck  ............................... but you are generally luckier with a Lexus!

[royoftherovers]

Double underline GENERALLY.

[Barry14UK]

Good Lexus (or should it be Lexi?) seem to go very quickly,  I saw one that had extras that don't even come as standard on a Premier -  viewed it one evening, slept on it, then next morning when I rang the Lexus dealer it had been sold.  Wish I had stumped up the extra £1,500 or so as haven't seen same spec one since.  So if a car really ticks all the boxes, you sometimes have to act quickly if you are picky over certain aspects and don't want to keep searching.

[katabrontes]

Why not look at a good RX350?  They are cheap as chips if you can find one.  I reckon mine (2005, 65K miles) costs about £600 a year more to run than a RX450 and it would cost me about £25K+ to upgrade it to a 2015 450.  Definite no brainier for me unless you need to enter ULEZ a lot.

[Spacewagon52]

3 minutes ago, katabrontes said:

Why not look at a good RX350?  They are cheap as chips if you can find one.  I reckon mine (2005, 65K miles) costs about £600 a year more to run than a RX450 and it would cost me about £25K+ to upgrade it to a 2015 450.  Definite no brainier for me unless you need to enter ULEZ a lot.

You are quite right Michael, they are relatively cheap and I considered one, as it has the more modern 3.5 litre engine. I just could not stomach paying £580 Road Tax each year. Nearly double what I pay for my 2004 RX 300. I do appreciate you can make the figures work in reality, when you take into consideration the initial cost of a 450h and the depreciation.

I have JUST been bowled a curved ball by my daughter! My fault entirely! I should have thought things through regarding her potential running costs of the RX 300. She no longer wants the RX 300!

So I am now on the horns of a dilemma! I have FOUR cars sitting on the drive (fortunately my drive is large enough) and I need only two!

I need a strong cup of coffee and a LONG think now!

Buy in haste ............. repent in leisure! 

Watch this space ........... one or two cars may be up for sale! Gordon Bennett!

[rich1068]

5 hours ago, Barry14UK said:

Good Lexus (or should it be Lexi?) seem to go very quickly,  I saw one that had extras that don't even come as standard on a Premier -  viewed it one evening, slept on it, then next morning when I rang the Lexus dealer it had been sold.  Wish I had stumped up the extra £1,500 or so as haven't seen same spec one since.  So if a car really ticks all the boxes, you sometimes have to act quickly if you are picky over certain aspects and don't want to keep searching.

Agreed. I enquired about an IS250 at Lexus Woodford but within an hour of the email it had gone.

2 hours ago, Spacewagon52 said:

You are quite right Michael, they are relatively cheap and I considered one, as it has the more modern 3.5 litre engine. I just could not stomach paying £580 Road Tax each year.

Bit of a sticking point for me too. I appreciate the 350 may be cheaper to buy etc but that £580 would really stick in my throat.

[Spacewagon52]

5 minutes ago, rich1068 said:

Agreed. I enquired about an IS250 at Lexus Woodford but within an hour of the email it had gone.

Bit of a sticking point for me too. I appreciate the 350 may be cheaper to buy etc but that £580 would really stick in my throat.

I suppose we need to do the maths to find out if it is viable. Sadly these cars are now dinosaurs regarding the environment. The government will tax them off the road eventually. I believe 2006 or 2007 is the key year when the road tax took a hike. Interestingly my hybrid 400h is only £25 cheaper than my RX 300 2004 vs 2008.

[rich1068]

Registration after the end of March 2006 is the cut off for many petrol cars. It's real shame. Plenty of perfectly usable family cars out there that'll be scrapped sooner rather than later in favour of a flimsy Citroen or Renault engined Merc on PCP.

[Spottedlaurel]

As a complete aside to the excellent advice above, and completely regardless of condition/mileage, do bear in mind the cat theft issue that 400s seem to suffer. If you're confident that it's in a pretty safe place at home, work etc then that's great, but if it's constantly on the street or in a public car park you might not be so lucky.

You might find that the previous owner has already suffered it and had a straight-through pipe fitted to replace the cat.

[SpringHead]

A brief update;

I went to see and drove the car on Sunday, it seemed to drive well but it was too scruffy. It had tears in the front seats and on the doors, at some point in its life it had an accident I could see the nearside wing and door had been repaired/replaced and the external trims on the door were corroding pretty badly. Also had a dodgy wing mirror and although it had lots of dealer stamps for servicing there wasn’t any paperwork regarding any repairs in its 14 year life. I didn’t feel good about the car so I’m going to leave this very low mileage example and keep looking.

Thanks for all the help and advice you have given me

All the best