LDV

D90 1st gen inspection checklist

2017-2021 · 8 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

All engines

highCoolant T-piece failure / overheating (recall)

Look for: A brittle plastic coolant T-piece connector can crack and dump coolant, causing rapid overheating and, worst case, a warped cylinder head. LDV issued a recall covering several thousand D90s for this defect.

If you find it: Confirm the recall has been completed; many owners pre-emptively fit an upgraded metal/reinforced T-piece. Stop immediately if temp climbs.

Any · ~$0 under recall, up to $10,000 if it cooks the head

mediumElectrical and infotainment glitches

Look for: Owners report blank/failed touchscreens, loss of radio/media and indicator sounds, Bluetooth call dropouts, wired CarPlay connection errors and random sensor 'ghost' codes triggering limp mode.

If you find it: Factory reset / software update often clears it; warranty screen replacement where needed; specialist scan for persistent fault codes.

Any · ~$0-800

mediumWater ingress into cabin / engine bay

Look for: Some D90s leak water into the cabin (hard-to-trace seal/drain paths) and there are reports of water entering the engine bay area through deep puddles.

If you find it: Trace and reseal door/window seals and body drains; avoid deep water; inspect carpets for damp pre-purchase.

Any · ~$200-1000

mediumFront differential / driveline wear

Look for: Early-build D90s have had front differential failures reported (one owner replaced the front diff plus alternator and battery within 11 months), reflecting variable early build quality.

If you find it: Inspect/listen for driveline whine and play; rebuild or replace the diff; check service history and recall status.

Often under 100k km on early cars · ~$1500-3500

2.0L 20L4E turbo petrol

mediumThrottle/transmission lag and jerky shifts

Look for: The petrol pairs turbo lag with a slow-reacting auto calibration, giving a hesitant 1-2s delay off the line and jerky low-speed shifts. It is a calibration trait rather than a hard fault, but it bothers many owners.

If you find it: Aftermarket throttle controller or software tune sharpens response; otherwise drive around it.

Any · ~$0-500 (tune/throttle controller)

mediumSmart-alternator / flat battery on short trips

Look for: The smart (variable-output) charging system can undercharge on short urban trips, leading to flat batteries and intermittent electrical glitches. Some owners have replaced alternators and batteries early.

If you find it: Quality battery sized correctly, periodic full charge, and check charging system; replace alternator if output is faulty.

Any · ~$250-600 (battery), more if alternator

2.0L SC20 bi-turbo diesel

mediumDPF clogging / forced regens on short trips

Look for: Like all modern small diesels, the SC20's DPF won't passively regenerate on short, low-speed urban running, leading to soot loading, forced regens, oil dilution and limp mode if neglected.

If you find it: Regular highway runs to allow regen; address warning lights early before it cascades into turbo/EGR damage.

Any · ~$500-2500

mediumTurbo / EGR soot stress from after-treatment neglect

Look for: A heavily worked small bi-turbo towing near its 3100kg limit, combined with EGR/DPF soot, can stress the turbo(s) and EGR over time if maintenance is neglected.

If you find it: Keep the after-treatment healthy, service on time, fit a catch-can to reduce intake oiling, and don't lug it fully loaded.

From 100k+ km · ~$1500-4000

2 minor things (low severity)

lowFit, finish and trim durability

Look for: Built to a price - panel fit, trim materials, seatbelt hardware and ergonomics are below established brands; later build dates are noticeably better than early cars.

If you find it: Favour later-build examples; budget for minor trim/interior fixes; thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Any · Varies

lowMixed dealer support and parts wait

Look for: Owner reviews flag inconsistent LDV dealer service and occasional parts delays, which can stretch out otherwise simple repairs.

If you find it: Choose a dealer/independent with proven LDV experience; keep records to support warranty claims.

Any · Varies

From FlamingCars' LDV D90 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.