How To Properly Inspect a Used Car So You Wouldn't Buy a Lemon

Full Transcript

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAxh4gqwHbY

[00:00] Hello and welcome to the Caron channel.
[00:03] Hello and welcome to the Caron channel.
[00:03] In today's video, I want to show you how to inspect a car properly.
[00:07] Whether it's a used car you're buying, your own car, you want to give it a proper check over to make sure it's all in good shape and everything.
[00:13] And at the same time, this video will serve as a second purpose.
[00:17] This particular ES 350 has 275,000 miles.
[00:21] We've never seen this car.
[00:24] I've never inspected it.
[00:25] This is the first time we're doing it.
[00:27] So, we're going to show you how to do used car inspection and then we're going to actually see what does this 275,000 mi Lexus actually need service-wise.
[00:42] Let's get started.
[00:42] So, every single used car inspection or car inspection in general starts with a test drive.
[00:51] Let us test drive this car.
[00:51] Engine sounds healthy when it's started.
[00:56] That's something you want to listen to.
[00:56] This car is completely cold.
[00:58] That's how you always
[01:00] Completely cold.
[01:00] That's how you always ideally would like to get the car.
[01:02] Ideally would like to get the car.
[01:02] So, this car is uh barely broken in.
[01:08] 275,000 mi.
[01:08] Barely broken in.
[01:13] 275,000 mi.
[01:13] Barely broken in.
[01:13] Just got to say something.
[01:15] This ES 350, this generation, one of the best Lexus ever made.
[01:18] I mean, this thing is coming up on 300,000 mi.
[01:19] Leather's fine.
[01:22] Everything else is looks fine.
[01:25] Starts like any car with 15,000 miles sounds wise.
[01:28] So, let's take it for a drive.
[01:30] Transmission engages pretty quick.
[01:33] Reverse engages pretty quick.
[01:35] Camera works.
[01:35] That's the first things we're going to test.
[01:37] Now, let's go for a drive and just check the steering column.
[01:40] Make sure we don't have any strange noises.
[01:41] We got a bump here.
[01:44] So, that's the first thing you want to purposely go over some bumps to see.
[01:46] Actually, I'm going to go over this again.
[01:52] Few more bumps to see.
[01:54] This sounds almost
[02:06] Perfect.
[02:08] The only noise you're hearing is something rolling around in here.
[02:10] Let's take it for a drive.
[02:13] We'll test a few things and we'll see where things are at.
[02:16] AC works.
[02:19] I already turned it on.
[02:23] That works pretty good.
[02:25] So far so good.
[02:42] Brakes work.
[02:45] So when you take off initially, we're feeling for transmission shifts.
[02:47] Two things you're going to check.
[02:49] How the car tracks.
[02:52] We're going to get it going at a steady speed and very safely.
[02:54] We're going to let go of the steering wheel to see if it tracks left and right.
[02:56] This one drives perfectly straight.
[02:58] It is perfect.
[03:00] That's that's how I'm going to say it.
[03:07] That's That's how I'm going to say it.
[03:07] The next thing is steering wheel.
[03:10] It is perfect on center.
[03:13] Almost 300,000 miles on this car.
[03:17] The next thing we're going to test is going to be the brakes.
[03:19] I'm going to speed up a little bit.
[03:21] We're coming up on a traffic light here.
[03:22] I'm going to hit the brakes a little bit harder than usual.
[03:24] Very little pulsation I feel.
[03:30] So, here's with pulsation how you can determine.
[03:33] If you feel the pulsation in steering wheel, slightly front brakes.
[03:35] If you feel it in the pedal on the body of the car, the seats, but not in the steering wheel, slightly rear brakes.
[03:37] So, these brakes have a little bit of pulsation.
[03:40] I feel in the steering wheel.
[03:41] I feel it in the seat.
[03:43] So, we potentially have both rotors have a little bit of warpage, but again, these rotors are still cold.
[03:45] It's important that you try this a couple times.
[03:47] So, safely.
[03:49] I have nobody behind me.
[03:51] I'm going to break a little bit.
[03:53] Yeah, I definitely feel it all over.
[03:54] So, we may have a little bit of warpage front to back.
[03:56] Not terrible.
[04:09] Warpage front to back.
[04:09] Not terrible.
[04:11] We'll test it a little bit more.
[04:11] Here's the important stuff.
[04:13] I don't hear any roaring weird noises.
[04:16] And here is what you do if you do hear a weird roar or noise.
[04:22] Safely swerve the car left and right just like I am doing right now within your lane.
[04:28] You know, especially in the United States, we got pretty wide lanes there.
[04:32] You can swerve safely within your lane.
[04:34] If you start hearing the noise get louder and then get quieter, louder then quieter, you have a wheel bearing.
[04:42] If it doesn't change at all, it may be something with tire noise.
[04:44] And I'll show you how we check both when we get it on a lift.
[04:49] But this particular car, it is checking every single box.
[04:53] The only thing I have so far is a very slight pulsation from the brakes.
[04:56] And let me tell you one thing.
[04:58] You buy a car for 275,000 mi and all you need is some brakes.
[05:06] Yeah, you uh you're doing pretty
[05:09] Brakes. Yeah, you uh you're doing pretty good.
[05:09] I'm idling right now.
[05:11] It's pretty good.
[05:11] I'm idling right now.
[05:11] It's pretty smooth idle.
[05:14] 2G RF will always have a smooth idle.
[05:14] 2G RF will always have a little bit of a rumble at idle.
[05:16] That is little bit of a rumble at idle.
[05:16] That is normal.
[05:16] But it's pretty smooth.
[05:18] I don't feel any vibrations, anything abnormal.
[05:20] The next thing we want to do now that we're at almost a stop, the street is empty.
[05:22] The next thing we want to do now that we're at almost a stop, the street is empty.
[05:24] I'm going to push it.
[05:26] Never go over the speed limit.
[05:33] But that is a pretty healthy engine.
[05:36] The traction control actually came on.
[05:38] These are your initial impressions because you have a problem with this engine mass air flow is dirty, spark plugs are never been changed or whatnot.
[05:40] These are your initial impressions because you have a problem with this engine mass air flow is dirty, spark plugs are never been changed or whatnot.
[05:42] These are your initial impressions because you have a problem with this engine mass air flow is dirty, spark plugs are never been changed or whatnot.
[05:43] When you push it, it's going to start hesitating, bucking and whatnot.
[05:45] When you push it, it's going to start hesitating, bucking and whatnot.
[05:47] This one is perfect.
[05:49] It almost let the tires up and the transmission is very healthy.
[05:52] It almost let the tires up and the transmission is very healthy.
[05:55] Speed limit here is 45.
[05:58] You want to drive right around 40 and just coast very light acceleration.
[06:00] You want to drive right around 40 and just coast very light acceleration.
[06:03] Let that torque converter engage.
[06:05] We want to see shutters.
[06:07] If all of a sudden you you engage that torque converter and the
[06:08] If all of a sudden you you engage that torque converter and the
[06:10] engage that torque converter and the whole car starts shaking,
[06:11] as soon as you whole car starts shaking, as soon as you accelerate goes away, that's a torque
[06:13] accelerate goes away, that's a torque converter shutter.
[06:15] converter shutter. That's a big problem.
[06:15] You got to catch it.
[06:16] If you drive it a little bit faster, you're not going to
[06:18] little bit faster, you're not going to notice that.
[06:20] So, you want to drive it hard to push the engine, see how it
[06:22] hard to push the engine, see how it does, and then very soft to see how it
[06:24] does, and then very soft to see how it reacts.
[06:27] reacts. That's the next thing.
[06:27] The last thing with this ES is, which I hear it,
[06:30] thing with this ES is, which I hear it, the sunroof seal.
[06:32] the sunroof seal. You can check it easily.
[06:34] easily. Like right now, I have this open.
[06:37] open. I hear all kinds of wind noise.
[06:39] When I close it, it gets very quiet.
[06:43] it, it gets very quiet. I open it again,
[06:45] it almost feels like a window is open.
[06:47] That's how it feels like.
[06:47] The sunroof seal is worn out.
[06:49] This is very common in these particular cars, but it could be a
[06:51] thing with any
[06:56] car. GPS is tracking properly.
[06:59] I mean, this car, if this car at this point had
[07:03] this car, if this car at this point had 50,000
[07:04] 50,000 miles, I'd go with it because it's
[07:06] miles, I'd go with it because it's checking every single box so far.
[07:10] checking every single box so far.
[07:10] Here are a few things we're going to check.
[07:11] are a few things we're going to check.
[07:11] Let's check the wipers.
[07:13] So, Jose, show them the view of the wipers.
[07:15] Yeah, that's uh.
[07:18] Yeah, that wiper have seen better days.
[07:21] And I'm noticing one thing about these wipers.
[07:22] Do you see how they stick up?
[07:24] I think they need an alignment.
[07:27] So, we need to reposition them down cuz they're way too high up.
[07:29] Yeah, the brakes are definitely pulsating a little bit.
[07:31] And then while we're here, let's operate our sunroof.
[07:34] Check it.
[07:37] Sure it works.
[07:42] That works.
[07:45] Let's do the tilt.
[07:50] That tilts.
[07:51] Beautiful.
[07:53] Born.
[07:56] That works.
[07:58] We already tested our turn signals.
[08:01] Now, before we pull into the shop, we're going to do a quick function test of things.
[08:04] We're going to just come to a stop again.
[08:06] This suspension
[08:11] stop again.
[08:11] This suspension is Yeah, I wonder if it's been replaced before.
[08:16] So, right before we pull in the shop, let's do a quick function test.
[08:20] Door locks.
[08:27] They all work.
[08:27] This is something very important that you do.
[08:30] Don't operate the door locks once.
[08:31] Operate them two, three times cuz you could have a weak motor here and you operate it two, three times, it just stops.
[08:37] Always operate it multiple times.
[08:37] Let's check all our windows.
[08:43] These motors are running now, not just opening.
[08:46] So, we don't have any issues with the window motors.
[08:48] We already tested the sunroof.
[08:48] Let's test our mirrors real quick.
[08:53] Although rare for these cars to have mirror issues, but check the mirrors.
[09:00] I already saw that the navigation was tracking.
[09:02] It's tracking correct.
[09:02] We can test the shade in the back.
[09:08] Shade in the back works.
[09:08] We can kind of go over all the features.
[09:12] can kind of go over all the features.
[09:14] This is not a bad idea.
[09:17] The seat coolers work cuz I hear the fans running.
[09:18] We're not going to test the seat heaters because it is 77° outside.
[09:21] We don't want to do that.
[09:24] And steering wheel heater.
[09:25] You can also test it, but really when you're testing a Lexus or Toyota, you could test the radio, check the CD player if you're interested in that.
[09:34] But this car is checking all my boxes.
[09:37] And some of the safety features you do want to check things like the blind spot monitor.
[09:39] See, when I turn it on, it do does a self test and then it goes off.
[09:43] So far, the only thing I see with this car, the brakes slightly pulsate, the wipers are a little bit off.
[09:51] We can adjust it.
[09:53] That's very simple.
[09:54] And if you look at that mirror, see how the edge of it is broken?
[10:00] Not really something that's going to affect the operation of the car.
[10:01] But if I was buying this car, I'd say, "Hey, this mirror is broken.
[10:05] Should we can you give me a little bit of a discount on the price because I got to replace that?"
[10:08] And maybe just proceed to not replace it because there's
[10:13] not replace it because there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
[10:14] absolutely nothing wrong with that.
[10:14] Let's pull it in the shop.
[10:17] Let's pull it in the shop.
[10:17] Let's start our proper inspection.
[10:19] our proper inspection.
[10:19] Now we we have familiarized ourselves with the car.
[10:22] familiarized ourselves with the car.
[10:22] Let's really get the full story of this car.
[10:28] car.
[10:28] So far, the vibes is giving me are very good vibes.
[10:43] So, now that we uh did our test drive, let us take a look.
[10:50] thing, this hood has been painted.
[10:53] thing, this hood has been painted.
[10:53] First, from its appearance, I see like stuff in the paint.
[10:57] stuff in the paint.
[10:57] It's going to be very hard to show you, but if you look at this exact spot, if I pass the light across it, you will see like a little right here.
[11:06] it, you will see like a little right here.
[11:06] If you pass the light across that part, you will see like an imperfection
[11:13] part, you will see like an imperfection in the paint right here.
[11:16] May be hard to see it on camera, here.
[11:19] May be hard to see it on camera, but there is an imperfection.
[11:21] But the second way I know that is you pass your hand around the edges.
[11:23] It's very rough.
[11:27] That's the the tape mark.
[11:30] That's called a tape mark.
[11:33] Well, the engine doesn't look like it's never been cleaned in its life.
[11:36] It's actually pretty clean.
[11:39] Let's start the first part of our inspection.
[11:41] Simple stuff.
[11:45] Let's test the battery.
[11:47] There's a lot of battery testers out there.
[11:50] This is just the one we have laying around.
[11:51] They all do basically the exact same thing.
[11:55] Let's see.
[12:00] This battery is a 700 cold cranking app.
[12:03] It is a interstate battery.
[12:05] We're going to set it to 700.
[12:09] 12vt battery. Start testing. Testing in
[12:14] progress.
[12:14] Almost done.
[12:17] Hey, you look at that.
[12:19] Look what this says.
[12:22] Good recharge.
[12:24] Let's look at the rating.
[12:24] So, the capacity is 700, measured 644.
[12:27] It's actually pretty good.
[12:29] All this battery needs is a quick charge, which indicates it is actually a healthy battery.
[12:36] Now that we did that, let's pull the engine cover.
[12:37] Let's start looking around.
[12:41] It helps if the car you're looking at, you've researched some of their common problems.
[12:43] You know a little bit about them, what kind of engine they have, what their common quirks are.
[12:45] because in this particular engine, a 2G RF, one of the best engines ever, and this is a third generation.
[12:47] Let's start with very basic stuff.
[12:49] Let's take the oil cap.
[12:52] This is a third generation engine now.
[12:54] You know it in this particular case.
[12:56] You have two slits here.
[12:59] You don't have an opening, but I can still look inside.
[13:01] I mean, this thing looks pretty
[13:14] Inside. I mean, this thing looks pretty clean.
[13:16] I don't see a lot of varnish inside.
[13:18] Don't definitely don't see sludge.
[13:21] So, that's a good thing.
[13:22] Second thing we're going to do, check the oil level real quick.
[13:30] This car has been sitting probably while we switch the cameras and whatnot.
[13:34] Probably been sitting for 10 15 minutes.
[13:36] Oil level just over.
[13:40] So, I'm going to call that decent oil level.
[13:43] And we're going to call this engine from an initial looks pretty clean.
[13:50] Now, we're going to start looking around.
[13:55] This is where it helps if you know the model you're looking at slightly or at least have researched it.
[13:58] Obviously, we're not expecting you to know every little thing about them.
[13:59] For this particular car, I'm going to start my initial look around.
[14:03] Do you see anything out of the ordinary?
[14:07] Looks like it doesn't belong.
[14:09] We're more interested in shiny stuff, stuff that was just replaced.
[14:12] We're looking at something and
[14:14] replaced. We're looking at something and it looks like aftermarket modifications.
[14:17] it looks like aftermarket modifications.
[14:19] I don't actually see anything in this car.
[14:21] See how everything looks perfectly original.
[14:24] Then we look at start with the basic.
[14:27] Start. Here's what I like to do inspections.
[14:29] Start from one side. Walk your way around.
[14:31] That way you don't miss anything.
[14:33] We're going to start right here. Look down.
[14:36] I don't see any wetness from here.
[14:39] So, we know what we're heading into.
[14:41] Going to look underneath the intake plenum.
[14:43] I see a tiny nest. Do you see it?
[14:46] Like if you look right here, Jose, if you bring the camera, show them.
[14:49] Right. Right in this area.
[14:51] Yeah. It maybe be hard to show you.
[14:53] Right in that area. I see actually a little potential nest.
[14:56] And the next thing we're going to look at this engine, although in the ES350, it's not super common, but it is somewhat common for external head gasket leaks.
[14:58] It's going to be hard to show on camera, but we're going to look underneath the
[15:15] we're going to look underneath the intake manifold.
[15:17] Look inside the valley intake manifold.
[15:19] Look inside the valley for signs of coolant, which I don't see anything from this side.
[15:24] Just take a quick peek from this side.
[15:27] I don't see anything.
[15:27] Nothing.
[15:30] I think we're good on that.
[15:32] Then we're going to check our This is called a torque rod.
[15:35] It just keeps the engine from going side to side.
[15:37] So, this one, you see how it has like dry rot a little bit, but it's actually not torn.
[15:43] So, this one is good.
[15:46] We're going to take a quick peek here at the belt.
[15:48] Do we have cracks?
[15:50] I'll show you a little picture of a cracked belt how it looks like.
[15:54] But this one looks actually perfectly fine.
[15:57] I don't see any crack down here.
[15:59] I don't see big signs of coolant from the water pump leaking, but we look at closer look at it underneath.
[16:05] Everything looks tidy and in order.
[16:07] ABS actuator.
[16:09] There isn't much you can test with this.
[16:12] Just looking at it, we don't have any leaks.
[16:13] Doesn't look like wires have been damaged and whatnot.
[16:13] So,
[16:15] wires have been damaged and whatnot.
[16:15] So, that looks good.
[16:18] Coolant that looks good.
[16:18] Coolant hose.
[16:21] This one appears to be original.
[16:21] hose.
[16:23] This one appears to be original.
[16:23] Going to give it the squeeze test.
[16:26] Looks good.
[16:26] Has a proper clamp.
[16:28] I don't think this has ever been replaced.
[16:28] And then we look at the radiator.
[16:31] So, coolant level.
[16:31] Put it right here.
[16:33] You can see it.
[16:33] Coolant level is actually full.
[16:34] That is a very good sign.
[16:36] We're going to look at the radiator top if we can access it.
[16:38] I don't see any leaks.
[16:40] That looks good.
[16:43] Then we're going to start working our way around here.
[16:45] The easiest way, and this is it's going to be a little difficult in this particular car, but the easiest way, like let's say AC doesn't work, and you want to find out real quick what's going on with it.
[16:48] If you find a flex, like a rubber part of an AC line, squeeze it.
[16:50] If it squeezes very easy, you'll likely have no freon.
[16:52] That'll be the easiest sign to tell.
[16:55] Hey, let's chase after potentially a leak first before we dive into everything else.
[16:57] As we walk around here, I'm going to look for more signs
[17:15] Here, I'm going to look for more signs of leaks around the engine, kind of in the cavities.
[17:21] Alternator.
[17:23] To me, this alternator appears original.
[17:26] It matches.
[17:28] You kind of look at the oxidation and aluminum, you match it.
[17:30] That looks about original.
[17:32] It looks about the correct original alternator.
[17:34] So, this may be a very well be an original alternator.
[17:36] We're going to look at the other hose.
[17:39] This hose actually not soft.
[17:42] It's actually in pretty good shape.
[17:44] Looks like it is the original.
[17:46] Has the correct clamps.
[17:48] We're going to look down here.
[17:51] Do we see any leaks, any issues, any signs of rodents or damage or whatnot?
[17:55] This one doesn't show anything.
[17:58] Now, we get here.
[18:01] Let's look on again for signs of rodents damage.
[18:03] We'll test the brake fluid here in a moment.
[18:05] I don't see anything.
[18:08] Now, accidents are a little bit of a kind of quiet skill.
[18:11] You can look down here like at the rails.
[18:15] See the rails down there?
[18:18] Rails. See the rails down there?
[18:18] You want to look for like weld marks or hammer marks or whatnot.
[18:22] That's when you know that that's the structure of the car.
[18:24] Same thing on this side.
[18:27] I don't see anything.
[18:27] This looks all straight.
[18:30] So the reason the hood was painted potentially was a small hit that was not structural.
[18:34] Now having said that do basic stuff.
[18:37] Let's look at the air filter.
[18:42] This air filter not bad.
[18:46] I don't think we're going to recommend replacement.
[18:47] I don't have a nest here.
[18:48] There's another spot.
[18:50] They don't have anything abnormal there.
[19:03] Now we're going to do two tests.
[19:03] One of them is the brake fluid and then the coolant.
[19:08] We have this tester that we have been using.
[19:10] It's really accurate.
[19:12] It's much better than the electronic one.
[19:13] Actually, I'm noticing one thing.
[19:15] The brake fluid is low.
[19:15] See how the max
[19:18] The brake fluid is low.
[19:20] See how the max level is here and the brake fluid is all the way at the bottom.
[19:24] That's not cause for alarm.
[19:27] That could be just the pads are worn down.
[19:29] So, I'm going to see.
[19:39] We got to remove this filter so we can access the fluid.
[19:43] There we go.
[19:46] Going to take a test strip on the brake fluid side.
[19:55] Going to put it in the fluid.
[19:57] And we're going to let this test strip sit on the side.
[20:04] We'll come check on it a little bit later.
[20:08] The same tester test kit we can use to test coolant.
[20:10] Not as accurate on coolant.
[20:14] I'll I'll be honest with that part, but wouldn't hurt.
[20:17] We'll look at the service history of the car cuz it'll show you if if the coolant is
[20:20] cuz it'll show you if if the coolant is horrible. Basically, it won't show you
[20:22] horrible. Basically, it won't show you that it's just regular due for
[20:25] that it's just regular due for replacement.
[20:27] replacement. So, going to access it
[20:30] So, going to access it here and basically put this strip in the
[20:40] coolant. We're going to leave these two
[20:43] coolant. We're going to leave these two tests to simmer, if you would, and we'll
[20:47] tests to simmer, if you would, and we'll come back to them shortly. Now, we're
[20:48] come back to them shortly. Now, we're going to dive into more things. And this
[20:50] going to dive into more things. And this is where I'll make a recommendation. We
[20:53] is where I'll make a recommendation. We are not doing this to this car, but if
[20:54] are not doing this to this car, but if you want to, especially if you have a
[20:56] you want to, especially if you have a four-cylinder, it is simple. You can
[20:58] four-cylinder, it is simple. You can actually take the plugs and do a
[21:00] actually take the plugs and do a boroscope. Look for scratches, for heavy
[21:02] boroscope. Look for scratches, for heavy wear on the cylinder walls. In this
[21:04] wear on the cylinder walls. In this particular car, we are not doing that
[21:05] particular car, we are not doing that because what's the point in doing the
[21:07] because what's the point in doing the front? But what we can do is take a look
[21:11] front? But what we can do is take a look at one of the plugs. Now, knowing the 2G
[21:14] at one of the plugs. Now, knowing the 2G RF, they love to break these connectors.
[21:16] RF, they love to break these connectors. So, I'm actually not going to take the
[21:18] So, I'm actually not going to take the connector off or we'll be very gentle
[21:22] connector off or we'll be very gentle with it.
[21:24] with it. See, it breaks. It breaks. We'll replace
[21:26] See, it breaks. It breaks. We'll replace it. There. There we go. We got it. So,
[21:30] it. There. There we go. We got it. So, I'm going to take one coil out. The
[21:32] I'm going to take one coil out. The reason for that is in
[21:35] reason for that is in Toyotas, they actually
[21:37] Toyotas, they actually mark the spark plug with a kind of a
[21:42] mark the spark plug with a kind of a dot. This one does not have a dot. I'm
[21:46] dot. This one does not have a dot. I'm going to pull those worn spark plugs for
[21:48] going to pull those worn spark plugs for us to take a look at
[21:53] it and take a look at this spark plug.
[21:56] it and take a look at this spark plug. It's not in the best condition, but it's
[21:59] It's not in the best condition, but it's not in the worst. This engine burns
[22:01] not in the worst. This engine burns pretty clean. See the back of it in
[22:04] pretty clean. See the back of it in inside? There's no carbon buildup. This
[22:06] inside? There's no carbon buildup. This is a very healthy engine. Of course, if
[22:08] is a very healthy engine. Of course, if you want to do this accurately, take all
[22:10] you want to do this accurately, take all six, look at all six of them, do a
[22:13] six, look at all six of them, do a boroscope. But something about Toyota
[22:15] boroscope. But something about Toyota spark plugs, they'll have a stamp here,
[22:18] spark plugs, they'll have a stamp here, either a number, letter, or weird shape.
[22:20] either a number, letter, or weird shape. If they are factory plugs, meaning the
[22:23] If they are factory plugs, meaning the ones from the factory, but when you
[22:25] ones from the factory, but when you don't see it, this is an original plug,
[22:27] don't see it, this is an original plug, but it's a replacement. So, I know at
[22:30] but it's a replacement. So, I know at this point, these are not the original
[22:33] this point, these are not the original plugs for this car. So, they've been
[22:35] plugs for this car. So, they've been replaced. We'll go digging through the
[22:36] replaced. We'll go digging through the service history of this car and we'll
[22:38] service history of this car and we'll find
[22:39] find out when that happened so we know cuz
[22:42] out when that happened so we know cuz this car has over
[22:44] this car has over 240,000. So spark plugs on this
[22:47] 240,000. So spark plugs on this particular engine 120,000 miles. So this
[22:50] particular engine 120,000 miles. So this should have had two replacements and
[22:52] should have had two replacements and we're going to take a look at that. The
[22:53] we're going to take a look at that. The next thing I want to check is something
[22:56] next thing I want to check is something not a big issue but because we'd like to
[22:59] not a big issue but because we'd like to make
[23:00] make recommendations the throttle
[23:02] recommendations the throttle body. You can
[23:05] body. You can simply open the air intake if it's
[23:07] simply open the air intake if it's easily accessible. Look inside this
[23:10] easily accessible. Look inside this particular throttle
[23:12] particular throttle body. Not dirty at all. Actually, this
[23:15] body. Not dirty at all. Actually, this is a shadow what you're seeing, but this
[23:17] is a shadow what you're seeing, but this throttle body is actually very clean.
[23:20] throttle body is actually very clean. So, that is pretty good.
[23:24] So, that is pretty good. Well, isn't that
[23:26] Well, isn't that something? Everything looks in order so
[23:28] something? Everything looks in order so far. I see nothing. We're going to find
[23:32] far. I see nothing. We're going to find out in the brake fluid and coolant spark
[23:33] out in the brake fluid and coolant spark plugs. We got to investigate, but so far
[23:36] plugs. We got to investigate, but so far nothing. Let's look at these wipers. So,
[23:38] nothing. Let's look at these wipers. So, something about this car, which I
[23:40] something about this car, which I forgot. I'm getting old. This has a
[23:42] forgot. I'm getting old. This has a winter position. It's actually in the
[23:44] winter position. It's actually in the winter position here. So, if you pull
[23:46] winter position here. So, if you pull this
[23:47] this arm, that's a summer position. The idea
[23:50] arm, that's a summer position. The idea is you push these wipers up, if you have
[23:53] is you push these wipers up, if you have snow accumulated here, it won't hit the
[23:55] snow accumulated here, it won't hit the wiper. That's the idea. So, we're in
[23:58] wiper. That's the idea. So, we're in summer. I'm going to engage them.
[24:01] summer. I'm going to engage them. However, these uh wipers are horrendous.
[24:04] However, these uh wipers are horrendous. And I want to show you something ironic
[24:06] And I want to show you something ironic about them. If you come look at them,
[24:09] about them. If you come look at them, I'll put them in the high
[24:11] I'll put them in the high position once they want to cooperate.
[24:13] position once they want to cooperate. There we go. Now, look what uh what do
[24:16] There we go. Now, look what uh what do they have on
[24:17] they have on them? Oh, is that a Toyota logo? So, you
[24:21] them? Oh, is that a Toyota logo? So, you may assume by seeing this these are
[24:24] may assume by seeing this these are original wipers. Let's just put inserts
[24:26] original wipers. Let's just put inserts on them and call it. They're not. The
[24:29] on them and call it. They're not. The original wipers of this car say nothing
[24:31] original wipers of this car say nothing on them. The imitation horrible sight
[24:33] on them. The imitation horrible sight lines that Toyota sells say Toyota on
[24:36] lines that Toyota sells say Toyota on them. These are horrible wipers, folks.
[24:38] them. These are horrible wipers, folks. I'm going to recommend wiper blades for
[24:39] I'm going to recommend wiper blades for this gentleman because these never work.
[24:42] this gentleman because these never work. And you saw how much noise they make.
[24:44] And you saw how much noise they make. They didn't even wipe the windshield,
[24:45] They didn't even wipe the windshield, right? They're just horrendous. And
[24:47] right? They're just horrendous. And before we go deeper into this
[24:49] before we go deeper into this inspection, let's do our walk around.
[24:51] inspection, let's do our walk around. Actually, maybe you could do that at the
[24:53] Actually, maybe you could do that at the beginning. Doesn't hurt, right? Just
[24:54] beginning. Doesn't hurt, right? Just walk around. See if there's anything
[24:56] walk around. See if there's anything odd. See this bumper? It's popped out.
[24:59] odd. See this bumper? It's popped out. There. Something happened here. And I
[25:00] There. Something happened here. And I actually see the paint cracked here.
[25:02] actually see the paint cracked here. Imagine this hit something and it popped
[25:04] Imagine this hit something and it popped out, but the bumper is not sitting
[25:06] out, but the bumper is not sitting right. Not the end of the world, but you
[25:07] right. Not the end of the world, but you want to when you see signs like that,
[25:09] want to when you see signs like that, investigate it. I can tell you just by
[25:11] investigate it. I can tell you just by looking at it. This
[25:13] looking at it. This fender has definitely been painted
[25:15] fender has definitely been painted before. That paint looks strange. Door
[25:18] before. That paint looks strange. Door is not. Door is fine. So, we're going to
[25:20] is not. Door is fine. So, we're going to basically walk around it. Look for any
[25:22] basically walk around it. Look for any obvious signs. Do we see anything out of
[25:25] obvious signs. Do we see anything out of the ordinary? So far, I see nothing. I
[25:29] the ordinary? So far, I see nothing. I do see a little bit of chip here that is
[25:31] do see a little bit of chip here that is starting to rust a little bit. If you're
[25:34] starting to rust a little bit. If you're buying this car, you want to touch that
[25:36] buying this car, you want to touch that up right away. In the back
[25:39] up right away. In the back here, this has definitely been painted
[25:41] here, this has definitely been painted because I see all kinds of stuff inside
[25:44] because I see all kinds of stuff inside the paint. And then somewhere here is
[25:47] the paint. And then somewhere here is there it is. It's very hard to see, but
[25:49] there it is. It's very hard to see, but there's a blend line here. This watching
[25:53] there's a blend line here. This watching paint looking for small signs takes a
[25:55] paint looking for small signs takes a trained eye. So the more cars you see
[25:57] trained eye. So the more cars you see and the more things you catch, the more
[25:59] and the more things you catch, the more your eye will be trained to catch stuff.
[26:01] your eye will be trained to catch stuff. So as we wrap around here, this is a
[26:03] So as we wrap around here, this is a Lexus. This gap is not correct. So I
[26:07] Lexus. This gap is not correct. So I know something happened here. This
[26:09] know something happened here. This bumper has been painted. Now let's look
[26:12] bumper has been painted. Now let's look at at the back
[26:14] at at the back here. We look at the edges.
[26:17] here. We look at the edges. See, this one doesn't have a rough edge
[26:19] See, this one doesn't have a rough edge even though this has been painted cuz
[26:21] even though this has been painted cuz someone basically smoothed this edge out
[26:23] someone basically smoothed this edge out when they were done painting, which is
[26:25] when they were done painting, which is what you should do. This one, same
[26:28] what you should do. This one, same thing. We look at obvious signs of
[26:30] thing. We look at obvious signs of damage. You look at the trunk itself. Do
[26:33] damage. You look at the trunk itself. Do we see clips missing? Things have fallen
[26:36] we see clips missing? Things have fallen off. I don't see anything out of the
[26:38] off. I don't see anything out of the ordinary. Everything looks good. In the
[26:40] ordinary. Everything looks good. In the trunk, you want to check for the
[26:43] trunk, you want to check for the presence of the spare tire.
[26:48] spare tires here. Check the tire
[26:51] spare tires here. Check the tire pressure. It wouldn't hurt on that. We
[26:53] pressure. It wouldn't hurt on that. We look at these edges. Do we see a
[26:56] look at these edges. Do we see a standing
[26:57] standing water? I don't see anything. There's a
[27:00] water? I don't see anything. There's a remnants here of something happened at
[27:01] remnants here of something happened at some point, but it's dry, so I'm not
[27:03] some point, but it's dry, so I'm not worried about
[27:05] worried about it. So, everything looks in order
[27:08] it. So, everything looks in order here. Let's continue our tour around
[27:12] here. Let's continue our tour around it. Lights. Make sure you watch for
[27:14] it. Lights. Make sure you watch for lights. These these tail lights can get
[27:16] lights. These these tail lights can get pretty bad. Even the headlight. Sure.
[27:18] pretty bad. Even the headlight. Sure. None of them are cracked. None of them
[27:19] None of them are cracked. None of them has moisture. Let's walk around. Same
[27:22] has moisture. Let's walk around. Same thing with these. I don't see anything
[27:24] thing with these. I don't see anything obvious in them. Let's walk on this
[27:26] obvious in them. Let's walk on this side. Another thing you may want to
[27:28] side. Another thing you may want to check. Sure. Lug nuts are all there. You
[27:30] check. Sure. Lug nuts are all there. You see enough cars with missing lug nuts.
[27:33] see enough cars with missing lug nuts. It's not nice. This side of the car,
[27:37] It's not nice. This side of the car, it's definitely been painted. This
[27:38] it's definitely been painted. This quarter cuz the door and the quarter are
[27:40] quarter cuz the door and the quarter are not even the same color. Hard to see it
[27:42] not even the same color. Hard to see it on camera, but if you look at it,
[27:44] on camera, but if you look at it, they're not the same sheen. This is a
[27:47] they're not the same sheen. This is a factory paint. This is not very obvious.
[27:50] factory paint. This is not very obvious. Like, as soon the best way to check
[27:51] Like, as soon the best way to check cars, not with sunlight. You need like
[27:54] cars, not with sunlight. You need like light light like this. Find the light
[27:57] light light like this. Find the light reflection and then walk around and see
[28:00] reflection and then walk around and see how that reflection changes as you pass
[28:02] how that reflection changes as you pass around. Like this area looks horrible.
[28:05] around. Like this area looks horrible. When you do that, you're not going to be
[28:06] When you do that, you're not going to be able to see it on camera. It looks
[28:09] able to see it on camera. It looks Continue walking around. Another thing
[28:11] Continue walking around. Another thing you potentially want to
[28:14] you potentially want to check the glass because that usually
[28:17] check the glass because that usually tells you how bad was the impact in the
[28:19] tells you how bad was the impact in the back. See, this one says Lexus. This one
[28:21] back. See, this one says Lexus. This one says Lexus. Let's look at the rear
[28:25] window. This one has a sticker on top of
[28:27] window. This one has a sticker on top of it, so I won't be able to see it. Maybe
[28:30] it, so I won't be able to see it. Maybe I can see it from the
[28:34] inside. No, that's your first telltale
[28:38] inside. No, that's your first telltale sign.
[28:41] sign. Let me just make sure this window does
[28:45] Let me just make sure this window does not have any markings. Usually they'll
[28:48] not have any markings. Usually they'll have a
[28:50] have a marking somewhere in the corner. Usually
[28:52] marking somewhere in the corner. Usually the lower corner. This has
[28:56] the lower corner. This has nothing. And this I already looked at it
[28:58] nothing. And this I already looked at it from the bottom. Look at it one more
[29:02] from the bottom. Look at it one more time. I don't see a marking on this
[29:05] time. I don't see a marking on this glass. Which what does that tell you?
[29:08] glass. Which what does that tell you? This is not an original glass. So, this
[29:09] This is not an original glass. So, this hit in the back might have been pretty
[29:12] hit in the back might have been pretty significant going around it. We already
[29:15] significant going around it. We already talked about this mirror. See, the thing
[29:18] talked about this mirror. See, the thing about these mirrors, the inner shell is
[29:21] about these mirrors, the inner shell is broken, but this cover only has a scuff
[29:24] broken, but this cover only has a scuff on it. So, you could possibly save this
[29:26] on it. So, you could possibly save this cover. You could save the glass. It's
[29:29] cover. You could save the glass. It's not broken, but the shell you'd have to
[29:31] not broken, but the shell you'd have to replace. Not a big issue, but you still
[29:34] replace. Not a big issue, but you still mention it. Now, the front glass is
[29:35] mention it. Now, the front glass is definitely not original, which I didn't
[29:37] definitely not original, which I didn't expect of a car this high mileage. This
[29:40] expect of a car this high mileage. This is doesn't say Lexus. Says actually,
[29:43] is doesn't say Lexus. Says actually, what was the name of that company?
[29:45] what was the name of that company? Pilington. This one says Pilkington.
[29:48] Pilington. This one says Pilkington. Good company. They make decent glass,
[29:49] Good company. They make decent glass, but it's not original. Likely from rock
[29:52] but it's not original. Likely from rock chips and whatnot. Then we continue our
[29:54] chips and whatnot. Then we continue our walk around. We have few scuffs here.
[29:56] walk around. We have few scuffs here. Bumper is not sitting. Headlights,
[29:58] Bumper is not sitting. Headlights, they're yellowed, but I don't
[30:01] they're yellowed, but I don't see condensation. I don't see cracks in
[30:05] see condensation. I don't see cracks in them and whatnot. So, that's looking
[30:07] them and whatnot. So, that's looking pretty
[30:09] pretty good. This car is a typical car that has
[30:12] good. This car is a typical car that has this many miles. I mean, obviously, it's
[30:14] this many miles. I mean, obviously, it's been on the road so much, accidents are
[30:16] been on the road so much, accidents are bound, but the way it drives and the way
[30:18] bound, but the way it drives and the way it feels, I don't see bad repairs here.
[30:21] it feels, I don't see bad repairs here. This bumper was not repaired. That's why
[30:23] This bumper was not repaired. That's why it's sticking out and that. So, the next
[30:27] it's sticking out and that. So, the next thing we want to do is let's give it a
[30:29] thing we want to do is let's give it a health check. Give it a scan with the
[30:31] health check. Give it a scan with the scan tool. See what we find. So, we
[30:32] scan tool. See what we find. So, we connected a scan tool. This is a Toyota
[30:34] connected a scan tool. This is a Toyota scan tool GTS Plus. We ran a health
[30:36] scan tool GTS Plus. We ran a health check. Watch the This is We're going to
[30:39] check. Watch the This is We're going to get back to this particular ES 275,000
[30:42] get back to this particular ES 275,000 mi. So, the scan tool will highlight
[30:45] mi. So, the scan tool will highlight this particular scan tool. We'll
[30:46] this particular scan tool. We'll highlight the areas where we have codes.
[30:49] highlight the areas where we have codes. So, we have engine, ABS, VSC track, air
[30:52] So, we have engine, ABS, VSC track, air conditioning, navigation, telematics.
[30:54] conditioning, navigation, telematics. These are the systems that have codes.
[30:56] These are the systems that have codes. Let's look at the engine first. The code
[30:59] Let's look at the engine first. The code is startability malfunction. It is a
[31:01] is startability malfunction. It is a history code. Every time you disconnect
[31:04] history code. Every time you disconnect the battery and and connect it, this
[31:06] the battery and and connect it, this code will set after so many key cycles
[31:08] code will set after so many key cycles actually go away. That is normal. So
[31:10] actually go away. That is normal. So this is not really an issue. ABS low or
[31:14] this is not really an issue. ABS low or high power voltage supply voltage
[31:18] high power voltage supply voltage history. I have a feeling these both
[31:21] history. I have a feeling these both codes set when and the battery died in
[31:23] codes set when and the battery died in this car. They replaced it. Hence why
[31:26] this car. They replaced it. Hence why you have a healthy battery in this car.
[31:27] you have a healthy battery in this car. And these codes said nobody erased them.
[31:29] And these codes said nobody erased them. Not a big issue. We're going to leave
[31:31] Not a big issue. We're going to leave them. Then we look at air conditioner
[31:34] them. Then we look at air conditioner has air outlet damper control servo
[31:36] has air outlet damper control servo motor circuit also
[31:38] motor circuit also history. I have a feeling this happened
[31:40] history. I have a feeling this happened also when the battery was dying. That
[31:42] also when the battery was dying. That servo is trying to move. So history code
[31:45] servo is trying to move. So history code not worried. Navigation system we have a
[31:48] not worried. Navigation system we have a whole bunch of history codes.
[31:50] whole bunch of history codes. Communication not a big issue again.
[31:53] Communication not a big issue again. This could have been when the battery
[31:57] died. Telematics. This one has a current
[32:00] died. Telematics. This one has a current code which is replace backup battery.
[32:05] code which is replace backup battery. Folks, let me uh tell you what that
[32:07] Folks, let me uh tell you what that means. This car has an old school
[32:10] means. This car has an old school communication system kind of like an
[32:11] communication system kind of like an OnStar deal and whatnot. The uh this
[32:16] OnStar deal and whatnot. The uh this system has a battery in case the battery
[32:18] system has a battery in case the battery of the car dies, you can still make an
[32:20] of the car dies, you can still make an emergency call. This system doesn't even
[32:22] emergency call. This system doesn't even work. This operates on 3G network. Well,
[32:25] work. This operates on 3G network. Well, we don't have 3G network. So, the only
[32:27] we don't have 3G network. So, the only code this car has for a system that
[32:29] code this car has for a system that doesn't even work even if you fix it.
[32:31] doesn't even work even if you fix it. So, there you go.
[32:33] So, there you go. Otherwise, we have all these other
[32:36] Otherwise, we have all these other computers that when you own a car like
[32:39] computers that when you own a car like this, you'll never know what they do cuz
[32:41] this, you'll never know what they do cuz they never complain. There is zero
[32:44] they never complain. There is zero active codes in this car. All these
[32:47] active codes in this car. All these computers, I want you to see them. Look
[32:48] computers, I want you to see them. Look how many computers this car have. The
[32:51] how many computers this car have. The grayed out ones, this doesn't have. Look
[32:53] grayed out ones, this doesn't have. Look how many computers it have. I'm going to
[32:54] how many computers it have. I'm going to scroll through
[32:56] scroll through them. All these computers this car has.
[32:59] them. All these computers this car has. Every single one of these is a
[33:02] Every single one of these is a computer. None of them have anything.
[33:06] computer. None of them have anything. Even the ones that do nothing. This scan
[33:09] Even the ones that do nothing. This scan to also tells you if there's any
[33:10] to also tells you if there's any campaign or recall. This has
[33:13] campaign or recall. This has none. How about that? This car gets a
[33:17] none. How about that? This car gets a clean bill of health electronically.
[33:20] clean bill of health electronically. However, we want to check two things.
[33:23] However, we want to check two things. Right here at the top says the mileage
[33:25] Right here at the top says the mileage of the car, and it matches the odometer.
[33:27] of the car, and it matches the odometer. They're actually one mile off. That's
[33:29] They're actually one mile off. That's the best part cuz this gets the mileage
[33:31] the best part cuz this gets the mileage from a different source. So, on the
[33:33] from a different source. So, on the odometer, it says 275 238. Here it says
[33:36] odometer, it says 275 238. Here it says 275
[33:39] 237. Should we recall this old bad car
[33:42] 237. Should we recall this old bad car or actually it has more. Obviously, one
[33:44] or actually it has more. Obviously, one mile is not an issue. But the next thing
[33:46] mile is not an issue. But the next thing we want to check, and this is where you
[33:49] we want to check, and this is where you kind of dig into it a little bit more,
[33:52] kind of dig into it a little bit more, we're going to go to engine and we're
[33:54] we're going to go to engine and we're going to look at some of the datal list
[33:59] parameters. Here's the most important
[34:01] parameters. Here's the most important one. This is where you check. Look at
[34:04] one. This is where you check. Look at this
[34:06] one. Monitors are complete. Because if
[34:11] one. Monitors are complete. Because if this car has a problem that doesn't pop
[34:12] this car has a problem that doesn't pop up right away with a check engine light
[34:14] up right away with a check engine light and the seller just erased the codes 2
[34:16] and the seller just erased the codes 2 minutes before you showed up to inspect
[34:18] minutes before you showed up to inspect it, that's how you know. If this says
[34:20] it, that's how you know. If this says not complete, they just erase the
[34:23] not complete, they just erase the codes. That's that's the
[34:27] codes. That's that's the problem. Then we go to data list. There
[34:30] problem. Then we go to data list. There is another thing where you can kind of
[34:32] is another thing where you can kind of dive into it. It depends on the car, but
[34:35] dive into it. It depends on the car, but it'll tell you how many miles or how
[34:39] it'll tell you how many miles or how many key cycles has it been since the
[34:41] many key cycles has it been since the Czech Angela has been erased. You go
[34:43] Czech Angela has been erased. You go look at a car and it tells you 2 days
[34:46] look at a car and it tells you 2 days since the Czech Angela has been erased.
[34:48] since the Czech Angela has been erased. I'd be alarmed. I'm very curious what
[34:50] I'd be alarmed. I'm very curious what this one will say. It's going to take me
[34:53] this one will say. It's going to take me and my old eyes a second to find
[34:57] and my old eyes a second to find that. I'll find it for you guys. because
[35:00] that. I'll find it for you guys. because I'm
[35:04] curious. There we
[35:09] go. Time after DTC's cleared. It has
[35:15] go. Time after DTC's cleared. It has been
[35:17] been 13,074 minutes since the last time the
[35:19] 13,074 minutes since the last time the check engine light was cleared and
[35:22] check engine light was cleared and distance from DCC cleared
[35:26] distance from DCC cleared 6,49 mi. So, this car have had no check
[35:30] 6,49 mi. So, this car have had no check engine light or no codes erased for
[35:34] engine light or no codes erased for 6,49 mi. You see that? I think we're
[35:38] 6,49 mi. You see that? I think we're going to call it good cuz in some cars
[35:40] going to call it good cuz in some cars it'll count when you disconnect the
[35:41] it'll count when you disconnect the battery. So, maybe this battery is
[35:46] battery. So, maybe this battery is 6,349 mi old. That's another indication.
[35:51] 6,349 mi old. That's another indication. But these are simple things you could
[35:52] But these are simple things you could check with a scan tool that will kind of
[35:55] check with a scan tool that will kind of give you indications. There is one last
[35:57] give you indications. There is one last thing we got to check with this car and
[35:59] thing we got to check with this car and then we'll lift it up and get the real
[36:00] then we'll lift it up and get the real story of this car. The only thing we
[36:02] story of this car. The only thing we forgot to check was the cabin air
[36:06] filter. Let's see. Does this need a
[36:10] filter. Let's see. Does this need a replacement? No, it does
[36:13] replacement? No, it does not. Not.
[36:17] Uh I'm going to do this because I have
[36:20] Uh I'm going to do this because I have that. I
[36:22] that. I think this car has such a So far, this
[36:25] think this car has such a So far, this is an original filter, too. Not the
[36:27] is an original filter, too. Not the original filter to the car, but it's a
[36:30] original filter to the car, but it's a not an aftermarket filter, for example.
[36:33] not an aftermarket filter, for example. I think I'm going to add this one
[36:37] I think I'm going to add this one because this car is near perfect. So,
[36:41] because this car is near perfect. So, I'm going to add that to our list to to
[36:44] I'm going to add that to our list to to make it perfect. Now that we looked at
[36:46] make it perfect. Now that we looked at everything in the car, let's lift it up
[36:48] everything in the car, let's lift it up and get the real story.
[36:51] and get the real story. [Music]
[36:58] [Music] I usually like to lift the car halfway
[37:00] I usually like to lift the car halfway cuz we're going to do a few checks. I'm
[37:02] cuz we're going to do a few checks. I'm going to hold the wheel, move it side to
[37:05] going to hold the wheel, move it side to side. I don't have any play. Up and
[37:07] side. I don't have any play. Up and down. I don't have any play. Let's look
[37:10] down. I don't have any play. Let's look at our factory strut. 275,000
[37:15] at our factory strut. 275,000 mi. Little bit of tearing on this
[37:17] mi. Little bit of tearing on this insulator. I want to replace this truck
[37:19] insulator. I want to replace this truck just because it but I have no leaks,
[37:21] just because it but I have no leaks, nothing. Not heavy rust, corrosion, very
[37:24] nothing. Not heavy rust, corrosion, very minimal. That's good. While we are here,
[37:27] minimal. That's good. While we are here, I take a quick peek at the brakes. Uh,
[37:30] I take a quick peek at the brakes. Uh, this particular caliper is difficult to
[37:32] this particular caliper is difficult to see the brakes from here. So, we'll look
[37:34] see the brakes from here. So, we'll look at them from the inside. But looking at
[37:36] at them from the inside. But looking at the rotor, I don't see heavy heavy
[37:38] the rotor, I don't see heavy heavy corrosion and all kinds of strange
[37:39] corrosion and all kinds of strange stuff. This tire, there's a lot of tread
[37:43] stuff. This tire, there's a lot of tread life left. We'll measure it. But the
[37:45] life left. We'll measure it. But the most important thing we look at beyond
[37:47] most important thing we look at beyond the tread depth, the age of this tire.
[37:49] the tread depth, the age of this tire. Let's look at this age of the
[37:51] Let's look at this age of the tire. 2424, the 24th week of 2024.
[37:56] tire. 2424, the 24th week of 2024. Looking at these tires, I think they're
[37:57] Looking at these tires, I think they're brand new. Let's measure a very simple
[38:00] brand new. Let's measure a very simple tire measuring tool. Nothing
[38:03] tire measuring tool. Nothing fancy. This tire is at 1032. We're going
[38:08] fancy. This tire is at 1032. We're going to measure it all the way across. 10 and
[38:13] to measure it all the way across. 10 and 10. This is a perfect tire. Move on the
[38:16] 10. This is a perfect tire. Move on the next
[38:19] one. I don't have any play. Don't have
[38:22] one. I don't have any play. Don't have any play. This strut, although the
[38:25] any play. This strut, although the insulator is more torn, again, not a
[38:28] insulator is more torn, again, not a reason to replace a
[38:30] reason to replace a strut. No leaks whatsoever. No heavy
[38:33] strut. No leaks whatsoever. No heavy corrosion, nothing. And I'm pretty sure
[38:35] corrosion, nothing. And I'm pretty sure these are the original struts to this
[38:37] these are the original struts to this car, and they're perfectly fine. Let's
[38:39] car, and they're perfectly fine. Let's look at the rear brakes. This one, I
[38:43] look at the rear brakes. This one, I want to put it right around 7 mm. We'll
[38:46] want to put it right around 7 mm. We'll look at the inside pad as well. This
[38:48] look at the inside pad as well. This tire is a match
[38:52] set. Bit noisy these brakes. So, we'll
[38:56] set. Bit noisy these brakes. So, we'll look at them in the
[38:58] look at them in the inside. But this tire also, this one is
[39:03] inside. But this tire also, this one is 3124. This one is even newer. We're
[39:06] 3124. This one is even newer. We're good. All lug nuts are here. Let's walk
[39:11] around this strut. Perfectly dry. This
[39:15] around this strut. Perfectly dry. This insulator is a little bit coming apart.
[39:17] insulator is a little bit coming apart. Not a big issue. No rust. A little bit
[39:19] Not a big issue. No rust. A little bit of rust at the bottom. Nothing over the
[39:21] of rust at the bottom. Nothing over the top. This
[39:24] top. This wheel has no movement. Brakes. The outer
[39:28] wheel has no movement. Brakes. The outer pad about the same thing. This
[39:32] pad about the same thing. This tire
[39:35] tire 24 same thing. Let's look at the front
[39:42] one. No play here. No play here. Brakes,
[39:46] one. No play here. No play here. Brakes, I can't see them. This insulator, same
[39:48] I can't see them. This insulator, same thing. Coming apart a little bit.
[39:50] thing. Coming apart a little bit. Original struts, not heavy rust. No
[39:52] Original struts, not heavy rust. No leaks. No play on the
[39:54] leaks. No play on the tire. This is very
[39:57] tire. This is very impressive. Truth have to be said. Let's
[39:59] impressive. Truth have to be said. Let's lift it up all the way and we'll take a
[40:01] lift it up all the way and we'll take a look.
[40:02] look. [Music]
[40:08] Let's start our inspection. Usually, if
[40:10] Let's start our inspection. Usually, if you ever you're buying a car, it's your
[40:12] you ever you're buying a car, it's your car and you're starting an inspection,
[40:14] car and you're starting an inspection, always start from the front. We're going
[40:17] always start from the front. We're going to look here. Anything missing? Anything
[40:19] to look here. Anything missing? Anything out of the ordinary? Everything looks
[40:22] out of the ordinary? Everything looks right as rain here. Let's look at the
[40:24] right as rain here. Let's look at the engine. We're going to do a just an
[40:26] engine. We're going to do a just an initial visual inspection. Do we see all
[40:29] initial visual inspection. Do we see all kinds of wet spots and oil dripping and
[40:31] kinds of wet spots and oil dripping and whatnot? I actually see nothing. Do
[40:36] whatnot? I actually see nothing. Do you? I see nothing. But let's dive
[40:39] you? I see nothing. But let's dive deeper because this is where things are
[40:42] deeper because this is where things are at. Lower tank of the radiator is here.
[40:44] at. Lower tank of the radiator is here. We're going to take a look at it. Make
[40:46] We're going to take a look at it. Make sure we don't have any leaks. The bottom
[40:48] sure we don't have any leaks. The bottom tank. This looks very good. I don't see
[40:51] tank. This looks very good. I don't see any any leaks
[40:53] any any leaks whatsoever. Looks very
[40:55] whatsoever. Looks very good. The
[40:57] good. The transmission. Let's look at the axle
[40:59] transmission. Let's look at the axle seals. If you look at this one, if we
[41:01] seals. If you look at this one, if we come around who's show them this way,
[41:03] come around who's show them this way, this one is barely just starting to
[41:06] this one is barely just starting to slightly complain. Just a little bit.
[41:09] slightly complain. Just a little bit. See a little bit of wetness. I would not
[41:11] See a little bit of wetness. I would not fix that yet. Wait for it to get bigger,
[41:13] fix that yet. Wait for it to get bigger, which maybe years. This side completely
[41:16] which maybe years. This side completely dry. I don't see any leaks around the
[41:19] dry. I don't see any leaks around the transmission. A little bit at the top.
[41:21] transmission. A little bit at the top. If you come see it, turn it that way.
[41:25] If you come see it, turn it that way. Yeah, right there. You see that wetness?
[41:27] Yeah, right there. You see that wetness? This is a common phenomenon with this
[41:28] This is a common phenomenon with this transmission. It's the plug at the top.
[41:31] transmission. It's the plug at the top. Nice. 3DS has seepage. This might have
[41:33] Nice. 3DS has seepage. This might have built up over 275,000 mi, so I'm not
[41:37] built up over 275,000 mi, so I'm not concerned by that. This is very minor
[41:39] concerned by that. This is very minor seepage. Not a big issue at all. This is
[41:41] seepage. Not a big issue at all. This is a
[41:41] a 2GR. We're going to look at the head
[41:43] 2GR. We're going to look at the head gasket. You can get a good view of it
[41:45] gasket. You can get a good view of it here. Right in this area. You see any
[41:49] here. Right in this area. You see any trails of coolant? I don't see anything.
[41:50] trails of coolant? I don't see anything. You see a little bit of wetness right in
[41:54] You see a little bit of wetness right in that area. I'm going to mark it in the
[41:56] that area. I'm going to mark it in the in the editing. But if we look at the
[41:58] in the editing. But if we look at the other side, like if we look through
[42:00] other side, like if we look through here, you see a little bit of wetness.
[42:05] here, you see a little bit of wetness. That is a front timing cover leak. Super
[42:08] That is a front timing cover leak. Super common on these. This is one of their
[42:10] common on these. This is one of their Achilles heels. But, uh, this car has
[42:14] Achilles heels. But, uh, this car has 275,000 mi. I mean, this is very minor.
[42:17] 275,000 mi. I mean, this is very minor. It hasn't even made its way down here.
[42:20] It hasn't even made its way down here. So, how I wouldn't fix that, honestly.
[42:22] So, how I wouldn't fix that, honestly. It was This was my personal car. I'd
[42:24] It was This was my personal car. I'd clean that. Keep an eye on it because
[42:26] clean that. Keep an eye on it because looking at the sealer here, see this
[42:29] looking at the sealer here, see this sealer? This is the factory sealer. So,
[42:32] sealer? This is the factory sealer. So, this engine's never been apart. It's
[42:34] this engine's never been apart. It's gray in color. The the the repair sealer
[42:37] gray in color. The the the repair sealer would be black. This engine's never been
[42:40] would be black. This engine's never been apart. Never. And that's all it leaked.
[42:43] apart. Never. And that's all it leaked. Let's look at our CV boots. Start with
[42:45] Let's look at our CV boots. Start with our a little bit of our suspension
[42:47] our a little bit of our suspension inspection. This one, original,
[42:50] inspection. This one, original, completely dry. No issues whatsoever.
[42:52] completely dry. No issues whatsoever. The inner
[42:56] one completely dry. I don't see any
[43:00] one completely dry. I don't see any issues with it. Let's check the other
[43:03] issues with it. Let's check the other side. This one also original axle. Let
[43:06] side. This one also original axle. Let me see. Thought that was a leaf. It's
[43:11] me see. Thought that was a leaf. It's not. This one is completely fine. How
[43:14] not. This one is completely fine. How about the inner one? The inner one will
[43:16] about the inner one? The inner one will have a slight wet appearance, but that's
[43:18] have a slight wet appearance, but that's actually from the oil from the front
[43:20] actually from the oil from the front cover. So, it's not actually leaking. I
[43:22] cover. So, it's not actually leaking. I don't see anything on it. There's
[43:24] don't see anything on it. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this axle.
[43:26] absolutely nothing wrong with this axle. When we drove it, didn't feel any
[43:27] When we drove it, didn't feel any vibrations or anything. Now, this
[43:29] vibrations or anything. Now, this particular model has electric power
[43:31] particular model has electric power steering, so we're not worried about
[43:32] steering, so we're not worried about leaking rack or leaking lines. We don't
[43:36] leaking rack or leaking lines. We don't have any of that. Let's check our rest
[43:39] have any of that. Let's check our rest of our suspension components. These sway
[43:41] of our suspension components. These sway bar links. Best way to check them, hold
[43:43] bar links. Best way to check them, hold them here, go up and down. I feel
[43:45] them here, go up and down. I feel nothing. This boot is leaking some of
[43:47] nothing. This boot is leaking some of the grease, but that is not really a
[43:50] the grease, but that is not really a concern
[43:51] concern because there's no play. I'm not worried
[43:54] because there's no play. I'm not worried about it. Same thing with the ball
[43:55] about it. Same thing with the ball joint. We already tested it. Has no
[43:58] joint. We already tested it. Has no play. This one is actually not even
[43:59] play. This one is actually not even doesn't even have grease around it.
[44:01] doesn't even have grease around it. Let's look at this side. This sway bar
[44:04] Let's look at this side. This sway bar link. This one is perfectly fine. Little
[44:08] link. This one is perfectly fine. Little bit of grease around it, but nothing to
[44:10] bit of grease around it, but nothing to be alarmed by. Same thing with this ball
[44:12] be alarmed by. Same thing with this ball joint. Let's look at the control arm
[44:15] joint. Let's look at the control arm bushing. If you look at it right
[44:18] bushing. If you look at it right here, it's going to have a little bit of
[44:20] here, it's going to have a little bit of cracking, nothing over the top. If we
[44:22] cracking, nothing over the top. If we look at the top side of it as well,
[44:25] look at the top side of it as well, you'll see similar story, but that is
[44:29] you'll see similar story, but that is not cause for alarm. This
[44:32] not cause for alarm. This side, same thing. Nothing wrong with
[44:35] side, same thing. Nothing wrong with that control arm. Just a little few
[44:38] that control arm. Just a little few micro cracks. That's normal. Let's look
[44:40] micro cracks. That's normal. Let's look at the top side of that.
[44:43] at the top side of that. You can
[44:44] You can see that
[44:47] see that looks pretty healthy. That's these few
[44:49] looks pretty healthy. That's these few cracks, folks. That's normal. That's not
[44:51] cracks, folks. That's normal. That's not a big issue at
[44:53] a big issue at all.
[44:54] all. Exhaust. We worry about exhaust with
[44:57] Exhaust. We worry about exhaust with rust. This flex pipe, the car was very
[45:00] rust. This flex pipe, the car was very quiet. This is all original. Everything
[45:02] quiet. This is all original. Everything is original here. This front pipe looks
[45:05] is original here. This front pipe looks pretty good. This flange starting to get
[45:07] pretty good. This flange starting to get a little bit rusty. You see it? But it's
[45:10] a little bit rusty. You see it? But it's not leaking. doesn't have any issues. I
[45:12] not leaking. doesn't have any issues. I think we're good. Before we move on to
[45:14] think we're good. Before we move on to the to the back, I'm going to look at
[45:15] the to the back, I'm going to look at these
[45:16] these brakes. I'm going to put these brakes
[45:19] brakes. I'm going to put these brakes right around 6 mm just by looking at
[45:23] right around 6 mm just by looking at them. So, this car actually does not
[45:26] them. So, this car actually does not need brakes. That's the best part. 6 mm
[45:28] need brakes. That's the best part. 6 mm here as well. There's a little bit of a
[45:30] here as well. There's a little bit of a rust ridge. Not a big issue on the rotor
[45:32] rust ridge. Not a big issue on the rotor here. That's not a big issue. But these
[45:36] here. That's not a big issue. But these are original. Not the original, of
[45:39] are original. Not the original, of course, but this is an original Toyota
[45:42] course, but this is an original Toyota pad. So, the previous brake job. Yeah, I
[45:44] pad. So, the previous brake job. Yeah, I see the Toyota logo there. This whoever
[45:46] see the Toyota logo there. This whoever did the the brake job before used the
[45:49] did the the brake job before used the original parts. That's the best part.
[45:51] original parts. That's the best part. Let's walk around here in the middle
[45:53] Let's walk around here in the middle section of a car. In the case of a
[45:55] section of a car. In the case of a front-wheel drive car, you don't really
[45:57] front-wheel drive car, you don't really have much. Want to make sure all our
[45:59] have much. Want to make sure all our covers are intact. For example, I saw
[46:01] covers are intact. For example, I saw something on this car. It's been hit
[46:03] something on this car. It's been hit here. Maybe some road debris from all
[46:05] here. Maybe some road debris from all the miles it has. This has popped out.
[46:08] the miles it has. This has popped out. can actually secure it
[46:11] can actually secure it better. See if I'm able. There we go. It
[46:14] better. See if I'm able. There we go. It is missing a clip. I'm going
[46:17] is missing a clip. I'm going to do the right thing and spot them with
[46:21] to do the right thing and spot them with a clip. It's just a
[46:23] a clip. It's just a clip or hurt nobody. Now, this panel is
[46:26] clip or hurt nobody. Now, this panel is secure. Stuff like that. We're not
[46:28] secure. Stuff like that. We're not worried about this side. This one is
[46:31] worried about this side. This one is intact. I don't see anything. Exhaust.
[46:34] intact. I don't see anything. Exhaust. Everything looks great. fuel tank. Not
[46:37] Everything looks great. fuel tank. Not anticipating much. This particular one
[46:38] anticipating much. This particular one has covered fuel tank straps, so we're
[46:41] has covered fuel tank straps, so we're not worried about rust. This one does
[46:42] not worried about rust. This one does have a crack. Something hit it probably
[46:45] have a crack. Something hit it probably from all the miles that it has. We're
[46:47] from all the miles that it has. We're going to come take a look at the rear
[46:48] going to come take a look at the rear here. Same thing. Sway bar links. This
[46:51] here. Same thing. Sway bar links. This one is solid. This one is solid. Sway
[46:54] one is solid. This one is solid. Sway bar bushing. See, it doesn't move at
[46:56] bar bushing. See, it doesn't move at all. Same thing on this side. Nothing.
[47:00] all. Same thing on this side. Nothing. All these control arms. We already shook
[47:02] All these control arms. We already shook the wheel. Nothing moves. Inner
[47:05] the wheel. Nothing moves. Inner pad about the
[47:08] pad about the same exactly the same. There's not
[47:10] same exactly the same. There's not really rust on the rotor in this
[47:12] really rust on the rotor in this one. A little bit of noise. This one
[47:14] one. A little bit of noise. This one makes more though. Looking at these
[47:17] makes more though. Looking at these rotors and these pads, I think that
[47:19] rotors and these pads, I think that noise is the parking brake. Not a big
[47:21] noise is the parking brake. Not a big issue. We look at the rest of the
[47:23] issue. We look at the rest of the flanges for the
[47:24] flanges for the exhaust. I don't see anything. This
[47:27] exhaust. I don't see anything. This particular car has a level sensor for
[47:30] particular car has a level sensor for the headlights. Level sensor is not
[47:32] the headlights. Level sensor is not broken. Nothing looks out of the
[47:35] broken. Nothing looks out of the ordinary. I don't see anything out of
[47:37] ordinary. I don't see anything out of the ordinary here. You notice something?
[47:40] the ordinary here. You notice something? This
[47:41] This scrape. Something happened here. Either
[47:43] scrape. Something happened here. Either they backed up and something was high
[47:45] they backed up and something was high and it scraped it. Not a big issue.
[47:48] and it scraped it. Not a big issue. Flanges look actually even better here
[47:50] Flanges look actually even better here than in the in the front. Do you notice
[47:53] than in the in the front. Do you notice something? Now, we're going to stop
[47:55] something? Now, we're going to stop talking about the used car. We're going
[47:56] talking about the used car. We're going to talk about this particular car. Isn't
[47:58] to talk about this particular car. Isn't it amazing how a car has 275,000 mi?
[48:01] it amazing how a car has 275,000 mi? And I'm going to call this customer and
[48:04] And I'm going to call this customer and tell them car needs nothing. The little
[48:06] tell them car needs nothing. The little stuff that it needs is nothing. You find
[48:09] stuff that it needs is nothing. You find this car, you tell me this car has
[48:11] this car, you tell me this car has 100,000 miles, I'll believe you
[48:14] 100,000 miles, I'll believe you cuz needs nothing. Isn't that something?
[48:18] cuz needs nothing. Isn't that something? Folks, this generation Lexus ES 350 is
[48:21] Folks, this generation Lexus ES 350 is hands down the
[48:23] hands down the best and the nicest used car you can
[48:26] best and the nicest used car you can buy. And it doesn't even take premium.
[48:29] buy. And it doesn't even take premium. That's the best part. So, now that
[48:31] That's the best part. So, now that you've done your inspection, and here's
[48:34] you've done your inspection, and here's where mistakes
[48:37] happen. You're looking at, for example,
[48:40] happen. You're looking at, for example, I see this all the time.
[48:42] I see this all the time. You're buying a Toyota Lexus for the
[48:46] You're buying a Toyota Lexus for the first time. Your previous car was not a
[48:48] first time. Your previous car was not a Toyota Lexus or something else that was
[48:49] Toyota Lexus or something else that was not a reliable car, and you're freaking
[48:52] not a reliable car, and you're freaking out about the tiniest things that your
[48:54] out about the tiniest things that your previous car had. That's the biggest
[48:56] previous car had. That's the biggest mistake you can do while buying a used
[48:58] mistake you can do while buying a used car. Not two cars the same. The ES350
[49:02] car. Not two cars the same. The ES350 and the GS 350, they're not the same
[49:05] and the GS 350, they're not the same car, even though they're made by the
[49:06] car, even though they're made by the same people, very different. That's why
[49:08] same people, very different. That's why it is vital that before you go look at a
[49:11] it is vital that before you go look at a car, research what are their common
[49:13] car, research what are their common problems, what to look for in that
[49:15] problems, what to look for in that model, what go in the forums, go in the
[49:17] model, what go in the forums, go in the groups, go on YouTube, go on anywhere,
[49:20] groups, go on YouTube, go on anywhere, Facebook, in everywhere, search the car.
[49:23] Facebook, in everywhere, search the car. What are people saying? Hey, you see a
[49:26] What are people saying? Hey, you see a hundred posts about the same problem.
[49:28] hundred posts about the same problem. Well, maybe that's a common problem you
[49:29] Well, maybe that's a common problem you should be checking. Educate yourself
[49:32] should be checking. Educate yourself about the model before you go see it.
[49:34] about the model before you go see it. Because if you had a model with bad
[49:37] Because if you had a model with bad transmissions and leaks and all over the
[49:38] transmissions and leaks and all over the place, and you come here, you just look
[49:40] place, and you come here, you just look at this. Oh my god, this thing is
[49:42] at this. Oh my god, this thing is perfect. You actually missed the other
[49:44] perfect. You actually missed the other one, the other leak up top. Even though
[49:46] one, the other leak up top. Even though it's not a big leak, but
[49:49] it's not a big leak, but still, this is the most important thing.
[49:52] still, this is the most important thing. You're thorough with your inspection.
[49:54] You're thorough with your inspection. you don't miss things and you look at
[49:56] you don't miss things and you look at everything. Focusing on the common
[49:59] everything. Focusing on the common things. Something common with this car.
[50:02] things. Something common with this car. I'm just going to go out and say is you
[50:05] I'm just going to go out and say is you getting scared of it because the thing
[50:07] getting scared of it because the thing will just keep going and going and going
[50:09] will just keep going and going and going and nothing will go south. Nothing. I
[50:12] and nothing will go south. Nothing. I mean, nobody will be upset if these
[50:13] mean, nobody will be upset if these struts were all worn down and and need
[50:15] struts were all worn down and and need replacement at this mileage, but they
[50:17] replacement at this mileage, but they are not. That's the best part. We let
[50:20] are not. That's the best part. We let our test here simmer for a while. Let's
[50:23] our test here simmer for a while. Let's look at the brake
[50:25] look at the brake fluid. So, here's our tester for the
[50:28] fluid. So, here's our tester for the brake fluid. Copper corrosion level is
[50:30] brake fluid. Copper corrosion level is at 10. Replace at 200 and 300. 400 is
[50:34] at 10. Replace at 200 and 300. 400 is very critical. So, we don't need brake
[50:37] very critical. So, we don't need brake fluid. How about the
[50:42] coolant? First one is boiling point.
[50:46] coolant? First one is boiling point. This is literally perfect.
[50:49] This is literally perfect. And then the corrosion acidity level,
[50:52] And then the corrosion acidity level, I'd put it right at an eight somewhere
[50:56] I'd put it right at an eight somewhere in that level.
[51:00] But I have a little bit of a concern
[51:03] But I have a little bit of a concern with the coolant. Talk about let's look
[51:06] with the coolant. Talk about let's look at the service history of this car. This
[51:08] at the service history of this car. This is a Carfax service history. We have
[51:10] is a Carfax service history. We have access to it. So let's look through it.
[51:12] access to it. So let's look through it. Let's read through it. So, the owner of
[51:14] Let's read through it. So, the owner of this car, a little bit of backstory,
[51:16] this car, a little bit of backstory, owns four ES
[51:19] owns four ES 350s. We did an inspection on all of
[51:21] 350s. We did an inspection on all of them. This one he just bought not long
[51:24] them. This one he just bought not long ago. Not just bought, but recently
[51:27] ago. Not just bought, but recently bought. We're going to see that right
[51:29] bought. We're going to see that right here. So, let's start. This car is
[51:32] here. So, let's start. This car is delivered in October 17, 2013. This is a
[51:36] delivered in October 17, 2013. This is a 2014 model year. So, they did the pre-
[51:40] 2014 model year. So, they did the pre- delivery inspection. Great. At 85 mi,
[51:43] delivery inspection. Great. At 85 mi, car was washed. 5,000 mi
[51:46] car was washed. 5,000 mi service. 10,000 mi service. 15,000 mi
[51:50] service. 10,000 mi service. 15,000 mi service. And they were late to the
[51:52] service. And they were late to the 15,000 mi service. Also late to the
[51:54] 15,000 mi service. Also late to the 20,000 mi
[51:56] 20,000 mi service. A little bit more late to the
[51:59] service. A little bit more late to the 27 to the 25,000 mi service. And then at
[52:02] 27 to the 25,000 mi service. And then at 33, they service the car. Brake fluid
[52:04] 33, they service the car. Brake fluid flushed. Cabin air filter. Four tires.
[52:08] flushed. Cabin air filter. Four tires. Nice. The original tires only lasted
[52:10] Nice. The original tires only lasted 33,000 mi. That's typical. 40,000 mi
[52:14] 33,000 mi. That's typical. 40,000 mi service. 45, 50, 60. At 60, we uh four
[52:19] service. 45, 50, 60. At 60, we uh four tires balanced. Four tires mounted. So,
[52:21] tires balanced. Four tires mounted. So, replace the tires again. And this one is
[52:24] replace the tires again. And this one is even worse. 70,000 mi service. 75. Here
[52:28] even worse. 70,000 mi service. 75. Here we replace the
[52:29] we replace the wipers. 80,000 mi. 90,000
[52:35] wipers. 80,000 mi. 90,000 mi. This is another 93,000 mi. Brakes
[52:39] mi. This is another 93,000 mi. Brakes checked for brakes replaced. 98,000 oil
[52:42] checked for brakes replaced. 98,000 oil change. So, you notice the oil changes
[52:45] change. So, you notice the oil changes are
[52:47] are done. I'm pretty sure there's an oil
[52:49] done. I'm pretty sure there's an oil change between these two. So, 88 and 98.
[52:52] change between these two. So, 88 and 98. 10,000 mi oil changes on this one. But
[52:55] 10,000 mi oil changes on this one. But they are, let's look at the time. From
[52:58] they are, let's look at the time. From August
[53:00] August 2016 to January 2017, they drove 10,000
[53:05] 2016 to January 2017, they drove 10,000 miles. This car was driven a lot. That's
[53:08] miles. This car was driven a lot. That's why they can the 10,000 mi oil changes
[53:11] why they can the 10,000 mi oil changes didn't cause any issues. Then we got to
[53:13] didn't cause any issues. Then we got to 103. Oil change. Oil change. Here we go.
[53:17] 103. Oil change. Oil change. Here we go. Four tires replaced again. This time
[53:19] Four tires replaced again. This time they started lasting longer. 120,000 mi
[53:22] they started lasting longer. 120,000 mi service. This is where I presume the
[53:24] service. This is where I presume the spark plugs were done. Then we go 127.
[53:28] spark plugs were done. Then we go 127. Oil change. Oil change. Did you notice
[53:30] Oil change. Oil change. Did you notice that this has a full service history?
[53:33] that this has a full service history? 150,000 mi service. This is where it
[53:35] 150,000 mi service. This is where it resets. Goes back to 10 to 5 10 whatnot.
[53:39] resets. Goes back to 10 to 5 10 whatnot. Vehicle
[53:41] Vehicle serviced. Drive belt replaced.
[53:44] serviced. Drive belt replaced. Everything belt replaced at
[53:47] Everything belt replaced at 155. Oil change. Four tires replaced
[53:50] 155. Oil change. Four tires replaced again. This car too goes through tires,
[53:52] again. This car too goes through tires, I suppose. We keep going. Oil changes,
[53:56] I suppose. We keep going. Oil changes, ignition coil replaced. The first actual
[53:58] ignition coil replaced. The first actual repair was 167,000 miles. It's just an
[54:01] repair was 167,000 miles. It's just an ignition coil. Hardly a repair. This is
[54:03] ignition coil. Hardly a repair. This is where things got a little interesting.
[54:05] where things got a little interesting. 20,000 mi service at 172. Like we said,
[54:08] 20,000 mi service at 172. Like we said, 15
[54:09] 15 resets. Tires balanced. Tires rotated.
[54:13] resets. Tires balanced. Tires rotated. 30,000 mi service. Then we keep going.
[54:16] 30,000 mi service. Then we keep going. Oil changes front brakes.
[54:19] Oil changes front brakes. oil change, four tires replaced
[54:23] oil change, four tires replaced again, 30,000 mi service, and then
[54:26] again, 30,000 mi service, and then here's the interesting part. We kind of
[54:27] here's the interesting part. We kind of dropped to the 25,000. This is when a
[54:29] dropped to the 25,000. This is when a dealership messes things up. We have a
[54:31] dealership messes things up. We have a wheel bearing that was replaced.
[54:33] wheel bearing that was replaced. 217, oil change, oil change, oil
[54:37] 217, oil change, oil change, oil change. One tire replaced, brake,
[54:40] change. One tire replaced, brake, brakes, actually replaced, not tire,
[54:42] brakes, actually replaced, not tire, sorry. Keep going. Oil change. Here we
[54:46] sorry. Keep going. Oil change. Here we go. This is where the original owner
[54:49] go. This is where the original owner actually traded this car in. This was
[54:51] actually traded this car in. This was the last service they did, which at 263
[54:56] the last service they did, which at 263 they traded it in. So, they
[54:58] they traded it in. So, they reconditioned the vehicle. They fixed
[55:00] reconditioned the vehicle. They fixed some upholstery. And then here's what
[55:03] some upholstery. And then here's what the selling leadership did. They did the
[55:06] the selling leadership did. They did the air filter, the cab filter. That's why
[55:07] air filter, the cab filter. That's why they're not in terrible shape. Four
[55:10] they're not in terrible shape. Four tires balanced. That's probably the
[55:11] tires balanced. That's probably the tires we have on the car right now. And
[55:13] tires we have on the car right now. And tires are rotated. I just don't
[55:15] tires are rotated. I just don't understand why they replaced the tires.
[55:16] understand why they replaced the tires. And then they rotated them. How about
[55:18] And then they rotated them. How about that? And the wipers, the horrible
[55:20] that? And the wipers, the horrible wipers were installed and they service
[55:22] wipers were installed and they service something with the
[55:23] something with the headlights. And the owner, current
[55:26] headlights. And the owner, current owner, bought a 263, did an oil change
[55:30] owner, bought a 263, did an oil change at
[55:32] at 270 and did an alignment check. And
[55:35] 270 and did an alignment check. And that's the end of the service history.
[55:37] that's the end of the service history. And the next service history entry will
[55:39] And the next service history entry will be here. So the last oil change were a
[55:42] be here. So the last oil change were a 270. So, we're actually going to
[55:44] 270. So, we're actually going to recommend an oil change for this
[55:46] recommend an oil change for this gentleman. Unless I know him. He is a
[55:49] gentleman. Unless I know him. He is a DIYer type. So, he may have done his own
[55:51] DIYer type. So, he may have done his own oil change already. We will inform him
[55:53] oil change already. We will inform him that according to the record, your car
[55:55] that according to the record, your car may be due for an oil change. When was
[55:57] may be due for an oil change. When was the last oil change? To make sure. Here
[55:59] the last oil change? To make sure. Here are my concerns with the coolant. I
[56:01] are my concerns with the coolant. I don't see coolant ever being replaced,
[56:05] don't see coolant ever being replaced, per se, part of a service.
[56:08] per se, part of a service. Even though the acidity level is not
[56:10] Even though the acidity level is not very high, but that's the whole point.
[56:12] very high, but that's the whole point. See, this is one of these fluids where
[56:14] See, this is one of these fluids where you don't want the acidity level to be
[56:16] you don't want the acidity level to be through the roof to replace it. It's
[56:18] through the roof to replace it. It's kind of counter point. So, I'm going to
[56:21] kind of counter point. So, I'm going to recommend to him sometime soon, replace
[56:23] recommend to him sometime soon, replace the coolant, do an oil change. The oil
[56:26] the coolant, do an oil change. The oil change according to this is due, but
[56:28] change according to this is due, but I'll I'll confirm. And transmission
[56:31] I'll I'll confirm. And transmission fluid's never been replaced on this car.
[56:34] fluid's never been replaced on this car. At least according to this record. We
[56:35] At least according to this record. We have to dig into the official record and
[56:38] have to dig into the official record and see. I'm going to ask him cuz he's the
[56:39] see. I'm going to ask him cuz he's the owner. You can go to owners.exus.com or
[56:42] owner. You can go to owners.exus.com or owners.toyota.com. If you are the owner,
[56:44] owners.toyota.com. If you are the owner, you can actually review the service
[56:45] you can actually review the service history. We're going to ask him to
[56:47] history. We're going to ask him to review it. But if this transmission flow
[56:49] review it. But if this transmission flow has never been serviced, can leave it
[56:51] has never been serviced, can leave it alone. Could cause a lot more harm than
[56:53] alone. Could cause a lot more harm than good. Even though this transmission
[56:54] good. Even though this transmission shifts perfectly, no torque converter
[56:57] shifts perfectly, no torque converter shutter, no issues whatsoever. That's
[57:00] shutter, no issues whatsoever. That's that's the part here. But I would like
[57:02] that's the part here. But I would like to go back to the second part of this
[57:05] to go back to the second part of this video. This 2014 Lexus ES 350, it is 11
[57:10] video. This 2014 Lexus ES 350, it is 11 years old. It has
[57:14] years old. It has 275,000
[57:17] 275,000 miles. Here is everything that it needs.
[57:20] miles. Here is everything that it needs. It needs a cabin air filter, needs a set
[57:23] It needs a cabin air filter, needs a set of
[57:25] wipers, and that's about it.
[57:29] wipers, and that's about it. And whenever convenient, do an oil
[57:31] And whenever convenient, do an oil change and maybe change the coolant.
[57:33] change and maybe change the coolant. It's preventative. And if you really
[57:36] It's preventative. And if you really want to take it to the next level, if
[57:38] want to take it to the next level, if the vibration of the brakes bother you,
[57:40] the vibration of the brakes bother you, even though they're not a safety
[57:41] even though they're not a safety concern, they're not really heavy
[57:43] concern, they're not really heavy vibration, maybe change the brakes or
[57:45] vibration, maybe change the brakes or ride on them for a while, then change
[57:47] ride on them for a while, then change them.
[57:49] them. If you really want to take it to the
[57:50] If you really want to take it to the absolute next level, you want it
[57:52] absolute next level, you want it perfect, change the sunroof seal, which
[57:55] perfect, change the sunroof seal, which other than the little noise that it
[57:56] other than the little noise that it makes, it's absolutely
[57:58] makes, it's absolutely nothing. And that's the end of
[58:02] nothing. And that's the end of that. Unbelievable, isn't it? If I tell
[58:06] that. Unbelievable, isn't it? If I tell you this car has 100,000 miles and this
[58:08] you this car has 100,000 miles and this is all it needs, you'd believe me and I
[58:10] is all it needs, you'd believe me and I would believe it, too. 275, folks. This
[58:14] would believe it, too. 275, folks. This generation ES350. Before we wrap up this
[58:16] generation ES350. Before we wrap up this video, 2013 all the way to
[58:20] video, 2013 all the way to 2017, easily one of the best Lexus ever
[58:24] 2017, easily one of the best Lexus ever made. Even going back to the tank
[58:27] made. Even going back to the tank ones, even going back to the ones that
[58:29] ones, even going back to the ones that were built like a tank, this is one of
[58:31] were built like a tank, this is one of the best ones. Flat out the best version
[58:35] the best ones. Flat out the best version of the 2G RF. The best transmission
[58:38] of the 2G RF. The best transmission version ever. The interior holds up. No
[58:42] version ever. The interior holds up. No power steering leaks like the previous
[58:44] power steering leaks like the previous generation. This is easily the best
[58:47] generation. This is easily the best Luxus you can buy in 2025 used. And as
[58:50] Luxus you can buy in 2025 used. And as you can see, even ones that have this
[58:53] you can see, even ones that have this kind of mileage, they hardly need
[58:55] kind of mileage, they hardly need anything. And that's not not something
[58:58] anything. And that's not not something that is strange to me. The owner of this
[59:01] that is strange to me. The owner of this car owns this is the fourth ES350 that
[59:04] car owns this is the fourth ES350 that he owns. He he owns multiple businesses.
[59:06] he owns. He he owns multiple businesses. He's always traveling place to place and
[59:08] He's always traveling place to place and he puts a lot of miles and very heavy
[59:10] he puts a lot of miles and very heavy use on the cars.
[59:12] use on the cars. The first ES350 that we've been kind of
[59:15] The first ES350 that we've been kind of switching cars for a while. The first
[59:17] switching cars for a while. The first ES350 he brought me, I believe it was
[59:19] ES350 he brought me, I believe it was an09 or or 10 had a lot of leaks, had a
[59:22] an09 or or 10 had a lot of leaks, had a lot of issues and he was like, "You know
[59:24] lot of issues and he was like, "You know what? I am at the verge of selling this
[59:26] what? I am at the verge of selling this actually." So he actually sold it and
[59:29] actually." So he actually sold it and bought this one and another
[59:31] bought this one and another one. This one, as you can see, needs
[59:35] one. This one, as you can see, needs almost nothing. The one prior to it had
[59:38] almost nothing. The one prior to it had around 170,000 mi. It needed literally
[59:41] around 170,000 mi. It needed literally nothing. Not even a wiper, a filter, a
[59:44] nothing. Not even a wiper, a filter, a float, nothing. Full service history.
[59:46] float, nothing. Full service history. The one
[59:47] The one before has around 180,000 miles. That
[59:50] before has around 180,000 miles. That one needed brakes all around. That's all
[59:53] one needed brakes all around. That's all it needed. Nothing
[59:54] it needed. Nothing else. These are good cars, folks. But
[59:57] else. These are good cars, folks. But let's go back to the other subject of
[59:58] let's go back to the other subject of this video. You inspect the
[01:00:02] this video. You inspect the car before you go see it. Research the
[01:00:05] car before you go see it. Research the car. Understand their common problems.
[01:00:08] car. Understand their common problems. When you go do the inspection, be
[01:00:10] When you go do the inspection, be thorough. Check everything. Don't leave
[01:00:13] thorough. Check everything. Don't leave a stone unturned. Check not only
[01:00:16] a stone unturned. Check not only mechanical repairs, check maintenance as
[01:00:18] mechanical repairs, check maintenance as well. Because honestly, I'll be I'll be
[01:00:21] well. Because honestly, I'll be I'll be some I'll be honest with you, say
[01:00:23] some I'll be honest with you, say something. The lack of transmission
[01:00:24] something. The lack of transmission service would worry me a little bit with
[01:00:26] service would worry me a little bit with this car. But after I drive
[01:00:29] this car. But after I drive it, maybe negotiate the price. Hey, this
[01:00:32] it, maybe negotiate the price. Hey, this guy's high mileage, never had a
[01:00:34] guy's high mileage, never had a transmission service. Can we work on
[01:00:36] transmission service. Can we work on that price a little bit? cuz if
[01:00:37] that price a little bit? cuz if something happens to this transmission,
[01:00:39] something happens to this transmission, you may have to replace it. But you know
[01:00:41] you may have to replace it. But you know what? Looking at the rest of the car, I
[01:00:43] what? Looking at the rest of the car, I would cuz it's definitely worth the
[01:00:45] would cuz it's definitely worth the thing drives like a new car. That's the
[01:00:47] thing drives like a new car. That's the best part, folks. Take your time with
[01:00:50] best part, folks. Take your time with car inspections. The best thing to do
[01:00:52] car inspections. The best thing to do with a car inspection is to put it up on
[01:00:54] with a car inspection is to put it up on the lift if you're buying it from a
[01:00:55] the lift if you're buying it from a dealership. Sometimes you can't do a
[01:00:57] dealership. Sometimes you can't do a pre-purchase inspection, take it from a
[01:00:58] pre-purchase inspection, take it from a dealership. So, put it on a lift and
[01:01:01] dealership. So, put it on a lift and start checking yourself. Take your time.
[01:01:04] start checking yourself. Take your time. It's it's better to be that nuisance
[01:01:07] It's it's better to be that nuisance customer at the dealership that wants to
[01:01:08] customer at the dealership that wants to check everything and takes their time.
[01:01:10] check everything and takes their time. They're okay. They'll they'll get over
[01:01:12] They're okay. They'll they'll get over it. But if you buy a bad car because you
[01:01:14] it. But if you buy a bad car because you didn't look well enough or didn't check
[01:01:15] didn't look well enough or didn't check it well enough, you're stuck with that
[01:01:18] it well enough, you're stuck with that car forever. That's the problem. So, I
[01:01:22] car forever. That's the problem. So, I hope this video was helpful. I hope now
[01:01:24] hope this video was helpful. I hope now you have some more information how to
[01:01:26] you have some more information how to check a car, what to look for, how to
[01:01:28] check a car, what to look for, how to kind of start your process, and what to
[01:01:30] kind of start your process, and what to look for. But the biggest thing is
[01:01:32] look for. But the biggest thing is research. Folks, if you like this video,
[01:01:34] research. Folks, if you like this video, consider giving a thumbs up. If you're
[01:01:35] consider giving a thumbs up. If you're not a subscriber, consider subscribing
[01:01:37] not a subscriber, consider subscribing to the channel. Check out some my other
[01:01:38] to the channel. Check out some my other videos. Until the next video, folks, may
[01:01:40] videos. Until the next video, folks, may the Lord bless you and keep you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAxh4gqwHbY

Summary

TL;DR — This video provides a comprehensive guide on how to inspect a used car, emphasizing the importance of a thorough test drive and visual inspection of both the interior and exterior. It highlights common issues to look for, such as signs of previous accidents, wear and tear, and potential mechanical problems, using a high-mileage Lexus ES 350 as a practical example.

Key points

• Begin any car inspection with a test drive to assess engine sound, transmission engagement, steering, brakes, and overall driving dynamics.

• Visually inspect the car's exterior for paint imperfections, body panel alignment, rust, and damage, paying attention to blend lines and signs of repair.

• Examine the engine bay for leaks, corrosion, and the condition of belts, hoses, and fluid levels, researching common issues for the specific model.

• Inside the car, test all electronic features, including A/C, power windows, locks, infotainment system, and safety features.

• Utilize a scan tool to check for diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and review the vehicle's maintenance history to understand its service record.

• Pay close attention to the undercarriage for rust, suspension component wear, and exhaust system integrity.

Takeaway — Thorough research and a meticulous, step-by-step inspection process are crucial for identifying potential problems and making an informed decision when buying a used car.