I'm looking at purchasing at 2013 LX570 with 100,000 miles from a non-Lexus dealer. Would you recommend obtaining a pre-purchase inspection from a Lexus dealer? Or would you go to an independent shop and save some money?

Also what are things that I should be looking for and should steer me away from the car?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

A search on ih8mud.com for 200 series ppl info got us this...

=1&c[nodes][0]=136&o=relevance]ppi for 200 series Toyota

Get the VIN, go to Lexus.com. Get to the owner's section, register and log in. Fill in the VIN and you'll see any and all services from Lexus on the truck since it was first delivered. You'll also see any recommended services declined by the owner.

Report back w/ what happens.

 

Check vehicle service history...
Do a scan and make sure all emissions related monitors' status are 'complete'
Check rubber bushings and engine / tranny mounts
Of course look for rusts
Wheel bearing
Hydraulic suspension / 4WD / Diff / lo/hi 4 / craw control
Tire wear

 

To be honest, even a Lexus dealer won't do much of an inspection unless it's CPO, which it wouldn't be. Even then, they may not know the hot spots of the 200 series. First, do the obvious two. If it's a bigger dealer it should have a free Carfax. Then add the VIN to the Lexus drivers site and get the full dealership history. I just recently go the wife a '13 with 98k miles. My stipulations were such:

• One-owner
• Dealer maintained every 5k per the book
• Never registered up north (rust)

It took me months but I finally found one 3 hours away. Local trade one-owner at a Toyota dealer. They traded it for a 2018 LX 570.

Here are the common mechanical issues that they can run into and that you should look for:

• Radiators develop cracks around 100-120k on the plastic top tank where the little rectangle boss is molded into the tank. Check that for a hairline crack. They can start to leak so or totally blow. A lot of people change the radiator preventatively.
• Water pumps can start to leak around that mileage. Check with a mirror and light below the water pump after removing the 3 appearance covers.
• The heat exchanger plates are common to leak coolant under the intake manifold. You can peak in a little hole under the intake on the drivers side with the v-bank cover removed. (The achilles heal of the awesome 3UZ-FE is keeping the coolant in. LOL)
• Check the operation of the center diff lock. Engage it at slow speed or stopped. Flashing means it's in the process of engaging or disengaging and solid means it's engaged. Off is obviously off. If the center diff lock is never used it can get stuck and cease to work.
• Check the operation of the cool box under the center console. The blowers can fail if used a LOT. I personally wouldn't buy one without the luxury package with the bool box. The radar cruise control and such is a pretty rare option in the states. I would have liked that but, like i said, it's rare.
• Check the operation of the adaptive height suspension. It should drop quickly but can take 15-20 seconds to raise between levels. The doors have to be closed and the trans in neutral or park.

Those are pretty much most of the hot spots.

 

Have a Lexus (or Toyota dealership) inspect it; to them it is (usually) 1 hour of labor, expect about $115 or something for the cost but a Lexus/Toyota tech will know what to look for than an independent shop.

 

Many indy shops are staffed with Toyota and Lexus mechanics that found they could do better once they hit the top of their pay grade at a dealer; that also includes service writers. My indy shop is far more knowledgeable than either the Toyota or Lexus/Toyota dealers in this area. Prices are lower and the writer doesn't try to sell me an unneeded service. It definitely depends upon the area. I'm in Idaho, but SF Bay Area is the same...not sure about Texas as I benefited from company-paid Suburbans there. I'd suggest registering and logging in to the 200 series tech forum on ih8mud.com...then ask for a local shop recommendation. I'd expect you will save $$$$ and benefit from more knowledge.

 

Thanks all for the tips! I actually took a look at the car in question and it had some major interior cosmetic issues, so will likely pass on this one.