Buyer beware

ENGINE

Diesels are rattly but check it’s not knock caused by faulty fuel injector controls. With the engine in gear and your foot on the brake, check if the engine rocks more than an inch or so at idle, indicating the pneumatic engine mount bushes have failed. Timing belts should be changed at 100,000 miles.

GEARBOX AND DRIVETRAIN

The automatic is sealed for life but specialists recommend regular fluid changes. Check for coolant contamination – the panel between the coolant radiator and the gearbox oil cooler can rot, causing contamination and wrecking the ’box. Poorly lubed propshafts ‘thump’ when stopping.

SUSPENSION

On top-spec LC5S check the variableheight rear suspension works in all three modes. Inspect the air bags for splits, that the sensors are working and that the car returns to normal height above 30mph. On all versions, check the rear upper control arm bushes, and steering rack bushes.

BRAKES

Check for seized calipers and pistons.

BODY AND CHASSIS

Check the body floor, inner sills, rear axle and rear chassis for corrosion. Look for salt corrosion from towing boats out of the water. Check overhangs for grounding damage.

INTERIOR

On LC5S, check the touchscreen heating controls work – repairs are possible. Heater pipes for the middlerow seats can rot through under the vehicle, causing coolant loss.