Holden Ute VE Inspection Checklist

lowInterior trim, rattles and electrical niggles

Look for: Owners report ignition barrel faults, power-window switches/brackets, glovebox and tailgate fit, handbrake/trim rattles and minor electrical gremlins - typical of the locally-built VE/VF.

If you find it: Replace failed switches/components; many are cheap, well-supported parts.

Any · ~$100-800

lowHeavy rear tyre and brake wear

Look for: A light rear end with a powerful V8 (and enthusiastic driving) chews rear tyres and brakes; V8 utes in particular go through rubber.

If you find it: Quality tyres/pads; check for uneven wear pointing at alignment or suspension issues.

From 40k+ km · ~$400-1200

lowDiff and tailshaft wear (V8 / driven hard)

Look for: IRS diff bushes, the diff itself and tailshaft couplings can wear, especially on hard-driven or burnout-prone V8 utes - clunks and vibration are the signs.

If you find it: Replace diff bushes/couplings; recondition or upgrade the diff on heavily-used cars.

From 120k+ km · ~$400-2000

lowCold-start piston slap

Look for: Short-skirt pistons in the alloy block 'rock' when cold, giving an audible slap/rattle for the first minute that quietens as the engine warms - common and generally not terminal on LS engines. Holden even tuned ignition timing to mask it.

If you find it: Avoid revving when cold; confirm noise disappears once warm. Persistent hot knock is a different (lifter/bearing) problem.

Any · Usually $0 (monitor)

lowPower steering / cooling ancillaries

Look for: Age-related power steering pump/hose weeps, radiator and water-pump wear typical of the platform.

If you find it: Replace as they fail; refresh cooling system on high-km cars.

From 120k+ km · ~$200-800

lowIntake-valve carbon build-up (direct injection)

Look for: As with most DI engines, carbon can accumulate on the intake valves over time, causing rough idle or misfire codes.

If you find it: Walnut-blast/intake clean as needed; quality fuel helps.

From 120k+ km · ~$300-700

lowCam phaser / VVT solenoid faults

Look for: VVT cam phasers and oil-control solenoids can play up at higher km, often related to oil condition.

If you find it: Replace solenoid/phaser; maintain clean oil.

From 130k+ km · ~$300-800

lowLPG system service items

Look for: LPG injectors, filters and lock-off/regulator components need periodic service; gas system requires a roadworthy/compliance check.

If you find it: Service LPG system per schedule; verify cylinder certification (10-year LPG tank re-test in Australia).

From 100k+ km · ~$200-800

lowRear main / cam seal and oil weeps

Look for: Age-related rear main seal, cam plate and rocker-cover oil weeps are common on high-km LS engines.

If you find it: Reseal as needed; not usually urgent unless oil loss is significant.

From 120k+ km · ~$300-1200

Ute VE / VF inspection checklist

All engines

6.0L V8 (L98 / L76 / L77)

6.2L LS3 V8

3.6L Alloytec V6 (LE0 / LY7)

3.6L SIDI V6 (LFX)

3.6L LPG V6 (LWR, dedicated gas)