Holden

Commodore VT / VX inspection checklist

1997-2002 · 14 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

All engines

mediumRust - windscreen surround, boot, sills (coastal)

Look for: VT/VX bodies rust around the windscreen and rear-window surrounds, boot floor, sills and wheel arches, especially on coastal or neglected cars now 24+ years old.

If you find it: Inspect carefully pre-purchase; favour dry-climate, garaged examples; rust repair as needed.

Any · ~$300-3000

mediumRear suspension geometry / inner tyre wear

Look for: The independent rear end runs negative camber and wears inner tyre edges; worn bushes make it worse and chew tyres.

If you find it: Replace worn rear bushes; fit a camber-correction kit and align.

Any · ~$200-800

mediumFront-end wear - engine mounts, castor bushes, ball joints

Look for: Front engine mounts collapse, front castor-rod bushes and ball joints wear, and front wheel-bearing hubs get noisy - all common with age and km, giving clunks and vague steering.

If you find it: Replace mounts, bushes, ball joints and noisy hub bearings; standard refresh.

From 120k+ km · ~$200-1000

mediumAutomatic transmission wear (4L60-E)

Look for: The 4-speed 4L60-E auto is generally durable but needs servicing; high-km or never-serviced units develop slipping and harsh shifts.

If you find it: Service fluid/filter regularly; rebuild if slipping. Check shift quality on test drive.

From 180k+ km · ~$1500-3000

2 of 4 engines

highCoolant / Dex-Cool system corrosion

Look for: The Ecotec V6 requires the correct long-life (Dex-Cool style) coolant at the right concentration. Using premix or letting it degrade causes acidic corrosion that eats the heater core, radiator and water pump, and can leave sludge through the system - a defining VT/VX V6 issue.

If you find it: Flush and refill with correct coolant on schedule; replace heater core/water pump/radiator as needed. Check coolant condition and heater operation pre-purchase.

Any (neglect/wrong coolant) · ~$400-2000

mediumCracked exhaust manifolds

Look for: The cast exhaust manifolds crack with heat cycling, giving a tell-tale 'chuffing' tick on start-up and sometimes an exhaust smell - extremely common across the V6 range.

If you find it: Replace manifold(s); aftermarket extractors are a common upgrade.

From 100k+ km · ~$300-900

5.7L Gen III LS1 V8

highPiston slap / high oil consumption (early Gen III)

Look for: Early LS1 Gen III engines are known for piston slap (a cold-start rattle from excess piston-to-bore clearance) and high oil consumption; Holden repaired or replaced hundreds under warranty, citing roughly 2% of V8s. Severe cases burn significant oil.

If you find it: Monitor oil consumption and cold-start noise pre-purchase; rebuild or replace pistons/short motor in bad cases. Many engines are fine - check history.

Any (early build) · ~$1500-8000

mediumOil leaks (rear main / valley / cover)

Look for: Rear main seal, valley-cover and front-cover leaks appear with age and km on the Gen III.

If you find it: Reseal affected areas; valley plate gasket is a known leak point.

From 150k+ km · ~$300-1500

mediumT-56 manual / clutch wear (worked or modified)

Look for: The T-56 six-speed and clutch wear when the car has been driven hard or modified, with synchro and bearing noise or slip.

If you find it: Clutch and/or gearbox rebuild; inspect for abuse on modified examples.

From 120k+ km · ~$800-3000

3.8L Ecotec V6

mediumCrank angle sensor failure (no-start)

Look for: The crank angle sensor can fail intermittently, causing hot no-starts or stalling - a classic Ecotec gremlin. Fuel pumps also fail.

If you find it: Replace the crank angle sensor (cheap, often done preventively); replace fuel pump if weak.

Any · ~$100-400

mediumOil leaks and lifter rattle

Look for: Rear main seal, front cover and rocker cover oil leaks are common, as is hydraulic lifter rattle on start-up with old/dirty oil.

If you find it: Reseal as required; fresh oil and lifter clean; replace collapsed lifters.

From 120k+ km · ~$200-1500

3.8L Supercharged V6 (L67)

mediumSupercharger coupler / snout wear

Look for: The Eaton M90 supercharger coupler (isolator) wears, causing a rattle, and the snout bearing/oil can run dry if never serviced, leading to noise and eventual failure.

If you find it: Replace coupler; service the supercharger snout oil; rebuild the blower if bearings are gone.

From 150k+ km · ~$200-1200

5.0L Holden V8 (304)

mediumOil leaks (rear main / timing cover / sump)

Look for: The 304 develops the usual old-Holden-V8 oil leaks from the rear main seal, timing cover and sump gaskets with age and km.

If you find it: Reseal as needed; budget for it on high-km examples.

From 150k+ km · ~$300-1500

mediumAge-related wear and thirst

Look for: These are the oldest VT V8s; expect tired bushes, cooling, electrics and a hearty fuel appetite.

If you find it: Thorough pre-purchase inspection; budget a consumables refresh.

Any (age) · Varies

2 minor things (low severity)

lowPower steering pump / rack leaks

Look for: Power steering pumps and racks weep fluid with age, with squeal and groan when cold.

If you find it: Reseal or replace pump/rack; keep fluid topped and clean.

From 120k+ km · ~$200-700

lowFuel gauge sender inaccuracy

Look for: Fuel gauge senders are notoriously unreliable, reading inaccurately or sticking - a well-known VT/VX annoyance.

If you find it: Replace the sender unit (in the tank); often done with the fuel pump.

Any · ~$150-500

From FlamingCars' Holden Commodore guide. It's a checklist of known problems, not a replacement for a professional pre-purchase inspection. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.