Buying a used Toyota HiLux (2005-12)

Release of the 2016 VFACTS vehicle sales figures revealed that 'Australia's most popular car' is a now a truck – OK, a utility – and that vehicle is the Toyota Hilux.

For a vehicle that started life as the most basic of cab/chassis commercial vehicles, the Hilux has come a long way. Early ones had a 1.6-litre engine, rear-wheel drive and practically nothing but a seat and painted metal in a cramped cab. Today the range is immense and Hilux buyers with sufficient budget can option their 'truck' well beyond $50,000.

Detailing every model in the long-serving Seventh Gen. range would take way more space than we have available, so apologies if your particular favourite isn't mentioned here.

The revamped Hilux launched here during April 2005 came in a multitude of physical and mechanical configurations. The basic engine was a 2.7-litre petrol, supplemented by a 4.0-litre petrol and 3.0-litre turbo-diesel. There was also a 4.0-litre supercharged V6 powering the short-lived TRD 4000 models.

If you couldn't find a combination of load and passenger space to suit your needs then those needs had to be pretty specialised.

The basic Workmate 2.7 manual was offered at $20,000, which bought a bare three-seat cabin with dual air bags and power steering but no air-conditioning. That was a $1900 add-on.

Treating yourself to a little more luxury meant a $4000 price jump to fund an SR model. These came standard with four litres of petrol-fed V6, power windows and mirrors, improved interior presentation and a decent sound system with CD player.

Needing to carry the family obliged buyers to look at Dual-Cab versions with the diesel or 4.0-litre petrol engine. Then came the almost unkillable, if not actually unbreakable, 4WD versions.

In manual SR5 trim, a 4WD dual-cab diesel hit the price charts at $51,000. That was before on-roads or accessories like a canopy, tow-pack, bull-bar and extra lights which could drive the cost up by $10,000. Traditional ute owners might have been horrified by the cost and level of equipment on offer but the buying public was undergoing a massive shift in perception that would see SUVs eventually kill off the traditional Falcon and Commodore.

Basic SR5 equipment included alloy wheels, sports seats in cloth, cruise control and a sound system that was compatible with a range of 'devices'. Carrying capacity even with the truncated load area was 935kg and pre-2011 diesels could legally tow 2250kg.

Upgraded versions were introduced for 2008 and again in 2011.

From 2008 the base-level Workmate included power windows and central locking, the SR was gifted a set of electric mirrors and automatic versions came with cruise control. ABS remained optional on all bar the SR5.

Three years later, the changes were more visual and price-related. Along with a new nose, lights and wheels came price pruning that brought the cost of the Workmate down to $18,990.

The SR 4.0-litre dual-cab manual dropped to $42,000 but air-con and the $1500 'Safety Package' still added to overall expense.

The SR5 stayed above $50,000 but included six air-bags, sat-nav and stability control.

Even versions with only two (driver and passenger) air-bags and no stability control still managed to achieve a Four Star ANCAP crash safety rating.

The best place to do your initial Hilux 'homework' is not in a dealer yard where all the examples on offer have been primped to look their best. Head instead to your local motor vehicle or machinery auction where lists of faults are taped to the window and every bit of cracked plastic, fogged headlamps and oil leaks are exposed.

Find the same fault in a few examples and you know what to look for when out in the private or dealer market.

The Hilux does tend to be a victim of its own publicity. Owners who are constantly told that the things are unbreakable do tend to treat them that way and cheap vehicles can be carrying a lot of injuries.

Engines that have done some work are typically noisy, with the V6 the worst offender. However, with proper servicing including frequent oil changes they reportedly can reach 350,000km. In its favour, the big motor offers excellent torque and decent off-road capability.

Dual-cab versions, especially the well-equipped SR5, are popular as family transport. The front seats adjust to accommodate occupants of pretty much any size and shape but side support and back-rest comfort aren't strong points. The rear seat isn't a great place to spend a long journey and early versions have only a lap seat belt for the centre seating position.

Four-wheel drive versions offer great versatility but the combination of compliant suspension and multi-functional rubber make them a handful on muddy roads or wet bitumen. The dual-range manual transmission is a bit coarse and noisy but earns its keep if you're the kind of Hilux owner who frequently tackles steep descents or rutted bumpy tracks.

For smooth highway cruising there's not much to rival a V6 but once you start slinging things into the tray or towing, fuel consumption soars. Tests reported an unladen average of 12.2 litres/100km to a nasty 18-20 litres/100km. With the diesel engine, expect sub 10 litres/100km consumption, rising to a worst of 13.5 litres/100km when towing around two tonnes.

If you've chosen a Hilux in preference to a family car or people mover, make sure that whatever you have covering the cargo tray provides sufficient security. If the vehicle doesn't come with a secure tray cover then a lockable box bolted to the floor will do the job of keeping tools, spare parts and so forth safe. Also good for stopping the shopping sliding around.

Remember that the Hilux was designed primarily as a commercial vehicle so its levels of road and mechanical noise will be higher and comfort demonstrably less than for passenger cars. Test drive in as many environments as possible; slow traffic, suburbia and on a freeway to assess whether you can live with the ride quality and racket once speeds rise.

>> Our gurus at Redbook Inspect have a lot of time for the Hilux and even have one on their fleet. They warn owners to ensure regular servicing has been undertaken so diesel pumps and injector nozzles remain clean and injector seals aren't leaking. Avoid vehicles that blow excessive black smoke.

>> V6s don't escape unscathed either. Older engines suffer electronic issues that manifest in difficult starting and poor acceleration. Stuttering under acceleration can indicate a fuel pressure problem. The pump may need replacing or at least a filter.

>> Owners believing the 'unbreakable' hype can shorten the life diesels. Neglected oil changes combined with stop-start driving can result in sludge formation which blocks the oil pump pick-up and destroys the engine

>> Expect any Hilux that has done some off-road work to be showing a bit of underbody damage. Should you spot a crushed exhaust, torn CV boots or suspension damage check repair costs before finalising the deal.

>> Check the tray for dents and deep scratches that can allow rust to take hold. If the vehicle has a bed-liner, ask the vendor to remove it for inspection of the metal underneath.

Used vehicle grading on a used Toyota HiLux:
Design and Function: 15/20
Safety: 13/20
Practicality: 14/20
Value for Money: 14/20
Wow Factor: 12/20
SCORE: 68/100

Also consider:

>>Isuzu D-Max
>>Nissan Navara
>>Volkswagen Amarok