2011 Holden Commodore Pricing and Specs

Before you do either of those things (replace the engine or the whole car) find out where the coolant is leaking from. You might find that it’s a simple case of a leaking hose or a worn out water pump that is causing the leak. If that’s the case, it could be fixed for a few hundred dollars or perhaps even less. Even if the problem is a rotted welch plug or a blown head gasket, the cost to fix it won’t be anywhere near as high as replacing the engine.

On top of that, you know the history of the engine you have, while a second-hand engine can be a bit of a lucky-dip: You might get a good one, you might not.

The Alloytec V6 was known to have problems with the timing chain. There is no warranty on repairs as such, and with four years having lapsed since the work was done any warranty that might have existed has long since passed. You could contact Holden’s customer service (1800 033 349) and lodge your concerns with them.

If you are not sure about the van you're buying then back out of the deal while you have the chance. The next time you decide on a van have it checked by a mechanic.