Toyota HiLux 2010 Problems

The fines are a separate matter as to what you eventually do with the vehicle. They need to be paid, regardless of what else you decide to do.

As you say, you can return the vehicle to standard condition or have it engineered for the modifications you want and then have the defects cleared by having the car inspected. But if you decide to sell the vehicle, it can't be sold with current defects and while still registered. You can clear the defects and sell the vehicle with registration, or cancel the registration and then sell the car. In any case, there's no way you could obtain a roadworthy certificate with the defects you've listed so the simplest way to get rid of the car would be to cancel the registration and then sell the car.

The very fact that you’re looking at two vehicles that fit into your budget but have travelled such vastly different distances should tell you all you need to know about the Nissan. Frankly, the Navara D22 and D40 don’t age well. In fact, many owners have found out the hard way that a Navara just can’t match the Toyota HiLux of this vintage for longevity and the ability to cop punishment over time.

I’m certainly not saying that the HiLux was perfect, but compared with the Navara’s litany of faults and problems that covered everything from rattling timing chains to coolant leaks and odd design elements such as the bottom of the radiator being lower than the lowest part of the chassis cross-member (not good for off-road work) the Toyota was much better. Granted the Navara you’re considering has very low mileage, so it should be okay for a while…just about till you hand it over to your son to break.

Checking and adjusting the valve clearances is a part of the service schedule on the Toyota diesel, and the parts do wear out. This is a case of buyer beware, you really need to check the fine print on the warranty to find out what isn't covered before you actually spend your money.

Before you do anything air your concerns with the dealer. There is no need to find a specialist 4x4 mechanic.

13 mm is a long way over the top, but I doubt you would do any damage as a result. Even so I would be asking the dealer why it has been overfilled and to drain a little out so it is back to the high mark on the dipstick.

There is nothing to suggest there is a problem with the Triton, but it’s worth checking the owner’s manual to familiarize yourself with any recommendations Mitsubishi makes about towing with the Triton. That way you will minimize the risks of having a problem.

We have passed a number of these reports on to Toyota for their response and last week we received this comment from a Toyota spokesman: "Toyota acknowledges owners comments regarding the ATM light illuminating when towing heavy loads. We are currently investigating the issue. However, we wish to advise, the ATM light only indicates high oil temperature. Owners who experience this condition should follow the 'Owners Manual' instruction, as well as ensuring airflow to the radiator is not blocked."

We have passed some on to Toyota for their attention and response, and they have come back to us asking for the details of relevant owners and the dealers they have consulted so their Technical Services Department can deal directly with them in an effort to resolve their complaints. Specifically they would like to contact readers Jim Rogers of Boronia in Victoria and Mick Ryan of Niddrie, also in Victoria. If those two readers contact us at carsguide.com.au, quoting this announcement we will pass their details on to Toyota.

Reading the handbook should be a "must-do" for new car buyers, even though most of us don't even open it at all until there's a problem. Don't take it for granted that the car you want to buy will do what you want. Tell the dealer what you plan to do with your new car, particularly if you're going to tow with it, and ask if there are any precautions you should take to ensure trouble free operation under those conditions. We would be keen to hear VCAT's determination on your claim.