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Best Used Cars Under $10k

69 guides · ranked by our guide ratings

69 cars from our guides, ranked by our own rating (Top pick, Value, Caution) and then by how many serious known problems each has. "Under $10k" means the cheapest examples in the guide's price range start below that; at that price they're usually the older or higher-km ones.

6 top picks 36 good value 20 caution

Top picks6

Holden Colorado RC

2008-2012 · Single Cab, Extra Cab, Dual Cab

MediumTop issue: EGR carbon

2008-2012 · Single Cab, Extra Cab, Dual Cab

MediumTop issue: EGR carbon

Toyota Corolla E170

2012-2018 · 5-door hatchback

HighTop issue: Takata airbag recall

Ford Falcon FG / FG Mk II / FGX

2008-2016 · Sedan, Ute, Wagon (BF II carry-over to 2010 only)

HighTop issue: Coil pack failure

Mazda Mazda3 BM / BN

2013-2019 · 5-door hatch, 4-door sedan

HighTop issue: Takata passenger airbag recall (REC-005733)

Toyota Hilux LN106 / LN107 / LN111

1989-1997 · Single Cab, Extra Cab, Dual Cab

HighTop issue: Chassis rust on coastal examples

Good value36

Foton Tunland 4th-gen (original AU Tunland)

2012-2022 · Single Cab, Dual Cab

MediumTop issue: Body parts supply thinness

Mitsubishi Pajero NS / NT / NW / NX (4th gen)

2006-2021 · 5-door wagon

HighTop issue: Timing-chain guide wear

Ford Falcon Ute XD-XF / XG-XH / AU

1979-2002 · Single Cab ute (styleside tray), Cab chassis, Panel van (XD-XF / XG-XH)

HighTop issue: Body and chassis rust (especially AU)

Subaru Brumby (BRAT/MV)

1978-1994 · Single Cab coupe utility (2-door)

HighTop issue: Body and chassis rust

2012-2017 · 5-door hatch, 5-door wagon (Tourer)

HighTop issue: Check VIN against Hyundai recalls (Takata airbags + engine coverage)

Suzuki Grand Vitara JT

2005-2017 · 3-door wagon, 5-door wagon

HighTop issue: Timing chain stretch / rattle

Holden Rodeo RA

2003-2008 · Single Cab, Space Cab, Crew Cab

HighTop issue: Denso EDU module failure

Holden Ute VU / VY / VZ (incl. Crewman, One Tonner)

2000-2007 · Single Cab (coupe utility / styleside), Cab Chassis (One Tonner), Dual Cab (Crewman crew cab, from 2003)

HighTop issue: Lower intake-manifold (LIM) gasket failure

Holden Rodeo TF

1988-2003 · Single Cab, Space Cab, Crew Cab

HighTop issue: Denso EDU module failure

Toyota LandCruiser Prado J90 (90 Series)

1996-2003 · 5-door wagon, 3-door wagon (rare in AU)

HighTop issue: Cooling-system neglect (especially viscous fan hub)

Holden Ute VG / VP / VR / VS

1990-2000 · Single Cab coupe utility (2-door)

HighTop issue: Rust - rear window surround, tailgate and tray

Toyota Tarago XR50

2006-2019 · 5-door MPV / van (8 seats)

HighTop issue: Takata airbag recall

Holden Commodore VF

2013-2017 · 4-door sedan, 5-door Sportwagon, 2-door ute

HighTop issue: Timing chain stretch

Toyota Aurion XV40 / XV50

2006-2017 · 4-door sedan

HighTop issue: Takata airbag recall compliance

Nissan Patrol Y61 (GU)

1997-2016 · 5-door wagon, Cab chassis

HighTop issue: Overheating / head gasket if cooling neglected

Mitsubishi Challenger PA / PB-PC

1998-2015 · 5-door wagon

HighTop issue: Power steering high-pressure line works loose (PB/PC)

Holden Commodore VT / VX

1997-2002 · 4-door sedan, 5-door wagon

HighTop issue: Coolant / Dex-Cool system corrosion

Mazda Mazda6 GJ / GL

2012-2026 · 4-door sedan, 5-door wagon

HighTop issue: Takata airbag recall (early GJ)

Mitsubishi Outlander ZK / ZL

2012-2021 · 5-door wagon (5 or 7 seat)

HighTop issue: CVT shudder, hesitation and overheating

Volkswagen Golf Mk7

2013-2020 · 5-door hatch, Wagon (Golf Wagon / Alltrack)

HighTop issue: EA888 timing-chain tensioner failure

Suzuki Jimny JB43 (3rd gen)

1998-2018 · 3-door wagon

HighTop issue: Rust at chassis, coil and body mounts

Holden Ute VE / VF

2007-2017 · 2-door utility (coupe-utility / car-based ute)

HighTop issue: Timing-chain stretch across all V6s

Ford Falcon Ute BA-FG

2002-2016 · 2-door Styleside (well-body) ute, 2-door Cab Chassis, Crewman dual-cab (BA/BF only)

HighTop issue: Rear differential / subframe bush failure (ute IRS)

Ford Territory SX / SY / SY II / SZ

2004-2016 · 5-door wagon (5 or 7 seat)

HighTop issue: Transfer case wear (turbo torque on AWD)

Holden Commodore VY / VZ

2002-2007 · Sedan, Wagon, Ute (VY/VZ Ute), Crewman (VY/VZ Crew Cab Ute), Statesman/Caprice (WK/WL)

HighTop issue: Intake manifold gasket failure

Mitsubishi Pajero NM-NP (3rd gen)

2000-2006 · 5-door wagon (LWB), 3-door wagon (SWB)

HighTop issue: Timing chain guide wear / chain jump

Nissan Navara D21

1986-1997 · Single cab, King Cab (extended cab), Dual cab (4-door)

HighTop issue: Body and chassis rust

Toyota Hilux 4th gen (RN/LN)

1983-1988 · Single Cab, Xtra Cab (extended cab), Dual Cab

HighTop issue: Chassis and body rust

Mitsubishi ASX XA-XD

2010-2026 · 5-door wagon (small SUV)

HighTop issue: CVT fluid neglect (first-generation petrol cars)

Nissan Patrol GQ (Y60)

1987-1997 · 5-door wagon, Cab chassis, Hardtop / utility

HighTop issue: Chassis, sill and guard rust

Ford Falcon BA / BF

2002-2008 · Sedan, Wagon, Ute (BA / BF / FG Ute)

HighTop issue: BTR 4-speed auto (BA only) failure

Subaru WRX / STI GD

2000-2007 · 4-door sedan, 5-door hatch/wagon (GG)

HighTop issue: Detonation from low-octane fuel or bad tunes

Ford Courier PC-PH

1985-2006 · Single cab (cab chassis / styleside), Super cab (extra cab), Crew cab (dual cab)

HighTop issue: Cooling system fragility

Mazda Bravo (B-Series) UF / UN

1985-2006 · Single Cab, Freestyle Cab (extra cab), Dual Cab

HighTop issue: Body and chassis rust

Hyundai ix35 LM

2010-2015 · 5-door wagon

HighTop issue: ABS module brake-fluid fire risk (recall - 2012-2013)

Mitsubishi Pajero NA-NG / NH-NL (1st-2nd gen)

1983-2000 · 3-door SWB wagon, 5-door LWB wagon

HighTop issue: Rust - rear quarters, tailgate, windscreen surround, chassis

Worth a look7

Ford Ranger PJ / PK

2006-2011 · Single Cab, Extra Cab, Dual Cab

MediumTop issue: Injector failures

2006-2011 · Single Cab, Extra Cab, Dual Cab

MediumTop issue: Injector failures

Toyota Hilux LN165 / LN167 / LN170

1997-2005 · Single Cab, Extra Cab, Dual Cab

MediumTop issue: 5L head gasket failure

Mitsubishi Triton MK

1996-2006 · Single Cab, Extra Cab, Dual Cab

HighTop issue: 4D56 timing belt failure

Mitsubishi Triton ML / MN

2006-2015 · Single Cab, Extra Cab, Dual Cab

HighTop issue: 4D56 engine overheating (recall)

Hyundai Santa Fe DM

2012-2018 · 5-door wagon (7-seat)

HighTop issue: Engine-bay fire recall (2015-2017 electronics)

Suzuki Sierra / Vitara SJ Sierra / 1st-gen Vitara

1982-1999 · 2-door soft-top convertible, 2-door hardtop, 3-door wagon, 5-door wagon (Vitara), Cab chassis / ute (Stockman)

HighTop issue: Chassis rail and body-mount rust

Buy with caution20

Tata Xenon Xenon (1st-gen)

2010-2014 · Single Cab, Dual Cab

HighTop issue: Parts supply effectively gone

Nissan Navara D22

1997-2008 · Single Cab, Extra Cab, Dual Cab

HighTop issue: ZD30 piston failure ("the grenade")

SsangYong Actyon Sports Actyon Sports (1st-gen)

2007-2018 · Dual Cab

HighTop issue: DSI 6-speed automatic transmission failure

Nissan Navara D40

2005-2015 · Single Cab, Extra Cab, Dual Cab

HighTop issue: Timing chain rattle & failure

Proton Jumbuck 1st gen

2003-2010 · Single cab coupe utility (one body only)

HighTop issue: Poor crash safety (2-star ANCAP)

Jeep Grand Cherokee WH / WK

2005-2010 · 5-door wagon

HighTop issue: Oil-cooler seal leak ('black death')

Land Rover Discovery 3 L319 (LA)

2004-2009 · 5-door wagon (5 or 7 seat)

HighTop issue: Air suspension faults (compressor, valve block, airbags)

Great Wall Steed 1st gen

2016-2020 · Single Cab, Dual Cab

HighTop issue: Gearbox and clutch faults (manual only)

Great Wall V240 / V200 1st gen

2009-2016 · Dual cab ute, Single cab ute (from 2010)

HighTop issue: Asbestos gaskets/exhaust (2009-2012 recall)

Nissan Dualis J10

2007-2013 · 5-door wagon, 5-door wagon (Dualis+2 7-seat, longer wheelbase)

HighTop issue: Takata passenger airbag recall

Holden Jackaroo UBS (2nd gen)

1992-2004 · 5-door wagon (LWB), 3-door wagon (SWB, early/rare)

HighTop issue: Overheating / head gasket if cooling neglected

2003-2012 · 4-door coupe (freestyle/suicide rear doors)

HighTop issue: Oil consumption (by design) and undiscipline killing the engine

Hyundai iLoad / iMax TQ

2008-2021 · Van (iLoad - 3, 5 or 6 seat, twin sliding doors), People-mover (iMax - 8 seat wagon), Crew van (iLoad twin-cab, factory and converted)

HighTop issue: Excessive factory service interval is a trap

Ford Escape / Kuga TF / ZG

2012-2020 · 5-door wagon

HighTop issue: Wet (belt-in-oil) timing belt degradation

Nissan Pathfinder R51

2005-2013 · 5-door wagon (7-seat)

HighTop issue: Auto transmission / radiator coolant cross-contamination

Holden Cruze JG / JH

2009-2016 · 4-door sedan, 5-door hatch, 5-door wagon (Sportwagon)

HighTop issue: 6T40 / 6T45 automatic - slip, flare and limp mode

Land Rover Discovery 2 L318

1998-2004 · 5-door wagon (5 or 7 seat)

HighTop issue: Cylinder liner slip / block failure

Nissan Juke F15 / F16

2013-2026 · 5-door compact crossover hatchback

HighTop issue: Jatco Xtronic CVT reliability (F15 1.6 cars)

Ford Focus LW / LZ

2011-2018 · 5-door hatch, 4-door sedan

HighTop issue: Takata airbag recall

Mitsubishi Triton ME / MF / MG / MH / MJ

1986-1996 · Single Cab, Club Cab, Dual Cab

HighTop issue: Cab corner and sill rust

More by type and budget

Ratings, price ranges and problems come from each FlamingCars guide. Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection.