CarLogs · Pre-purchase checklist
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Printed 15 Nov 2026
Pre-purchase inspection checklist
2018 Toyota 4Runner SR5/SR5 Premium/TRD Off Road/TRD Off Road Premium/Ltd/TRD Pro
VIN JTEBU5JR2J5547312
Inspect these first — most-reported on this model
- Steering (11 owner reports)Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
- Air Bags (7 owner reports)Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
- Service Brakes (6 owner reports)Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
- Fuel System (5 owner reports)Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
- Structure (5 owner reports)Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
- Engine (5 owner reports)Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Paperwork & identity
- VIN on the dash, driver door jamb and title all match exactly.
- Seller's name matches the title and photo ID.
- Service and repair records available and consistent with the mileage.
- No lien still listed on the title (ask for a lien release if there was one).
Engine & drivetrain
- Cold-start the engine — listen for knocks, ticking or rattles.
- No blue (oil) or white (coolant) smoke from the exhaust.
- Fluids clean and at level — oil, coolant, brake and transmission.
- No oil, coolant or transmission leaks under the car after it idles.
- All dashboard warning lights clear a few seconds after startup.
Body, tyres & underside
- Panel gaps even; paint colour and texture match across panels (repaint = past damage).
- No fresh undercoating hiding rust or recent weld repairs.
- Tyres worn evenly and matched; check the date codes and the spare.
- No rust on the frame, floor pans, suspension mounts or brake lines.
Test drive
- Shifts smoothly through every gear — no slipping, shudder or clunk.
- Brakes straight and quiet — no pulling, grinding or pulsing.
- Steering tracks straight; no vibration at highway speed.
- Air-con, heater, lights, wipers, windows and infotainment all work.
Before you pay
- Independent pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic.
- Open safety recalls confirmed fixed (a franchised dealer repairs them at no charge). 5 recall campaigns on file for this model year — verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Agreed price reflects anything the inspection turned up.
Notes