Holden Ute VU Inspection Checklist

lowFront-end wear - ball joints, tie rods, control-arm bushes

Look for: The IRS/front suspension develops worn ball joints, tie-rod ends and control-arm bushes giving vague steering, clunks and uneven tyre wear.

If you find it: Replace worn front-end components and do a four-wheel alignment; common, inexpensive maintenance.

From 120k+ km · ~$200-700

lowRear leaf-spring / tray sag and IRS wear

Look for: Leaf-sprung One Tonner/cab-chassis rears sag under sustained load; the independent rear (ute/Crewman) wears bushes and trailing-arm components with km and load.

If you find it: Upgraded leaf packs or airbag helpers for cab-chassis; refresh IRS bushes and subframe mounts on the car-based utes.

Heavy use · ~$300-1200

lowAgeing electrics - BCM, window regulators, dash

Look for: Body control module quirks, failing window regulators, central-locking actuators and dash/cluster gremlins are common with age across VU/VY/VZ.

If you find it: Replace failed regulators/actuators; diagnose BCM faults with a Holden-capable scan tool.

Any · ~$150-600

lowWorn engine and gearbox mounts / oil leaks

Look for: At age and mileage these engines weep from rocker covers and develop tired mounts causing vibration.

If you find it: Reseal rocker covers; replace engine/trans mounts. Straightforward DIY.

From 150k+ km · ~$200-600

lowRear-of-block / coolant weeps

Look for: Alloytec engines can develop coolant weeps (including from the rear of the block area) and perished hose/gasket leaks with age.

If you find it: Pressure-test cooling system; reseal/replace affected gaskets and hoses.

From 120k+ km · ~$300-900

lowOil consumption at higher km

Look for: Valve-stem seals and rings can allow some oil use at high mileage causing light exhaust haze.

If you find it: Replace valve seals if smoking; monitor oil level; compression/leak-down test pre-purchase.

From 150k+ km · ~$500-2000

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

All engines

3.8L Ecotec V6 (L36)

3.6L Alloytec V6 (LY7)

5.7L Gen III V8 (LS1)

6.0L Gen IV V8 (L98)