Holden Ute: best and worst years
3 generations sold in Australia, rated from our guides
Best bets: VG / VP / VR / VS (1990-2000), VU / VY / VZ (2000-2007), VE / VF (2007-2017) (good value in our guides).
1990-2000VG / VP / VR / VS
Good valueGood value: 14 known problems, 2 high-severity. Worst to watch for: Rust - rear window surround, tailgate and tray; Plastic inlet manifold / valley gasket failure.
Full VG / VP / VR / VS guide →2000-2007VU / VY / VZ (incl. Crewman, One Tonner)
Good valueGood value: 16 known problems, 2 high-severity. Worst to watch for: Lower intake-manifold (LIM) gasket failure; Timing-chain stretch (early VZ).
Full VU / VY / VZ guide →2007-2017VE / VF
Good valueGood value: 17 known problems, 3 high-severity. Worst to watch for: Timing-chain stretch across all V6s; AFM hydraulic lifter collapse (L76/L77 auto).
Full VE / VF guide →Verdicts are the ratings in each FlamingCars guide; reasons and year notes come from the problems those guides list. Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection.