Free printable checklist
What to Look For When Buying a Used Ford Territory
What to check on a used Territory, what a problem looks like, and when to walk away.
Covers
- SY 2005–2011
- SZ 2011–2016
Or get a checklist built for the exact Territory you're looking at:
Last updated
Common Problems on a Used Ford Territory
The most commonly reported problems on a used Ford Territory are a wobble through the steering under braking from worn front suspension parts, power steering leaks, and a whine or clunk from the rear diff. Window motors can also fail. LPG cars need a current tank test, and with the Territory out of production since 2016, check parts prices before you buy.
Which of these apply depends on the year and engine. Shufti works that out for a particular car from its listing.
A Wobble Through the Steering Under Braking
On some Territories, the rubber bushes in the front suspension wear out, letting the front wheels shift as you brake. You feel it as a wobble or shimmy through the steering wheel. Warped brake discs can feel similar.
Brake firmly from 60 km/h on a clear, straight road. The car should stop straight, with no pulling, wobble or shimmy through the wheel. Then drive over a few bumps and listen for knocks from the front.
Worn bushes are a moderate repair. Have a mechanic tell you whether it's bushes, discs or both, and price it into your offer.
Power Steering Leaks
The Territory's power steering uses hydraulic fluid pumped through hoses to the steering rack. With age, the hoses and the rack's seals can leak, and a steering system that runs low on fluid gets noisy and heavy and wears out faster.
Look under the power steering fluid tank and along the hoses for wet fluid, check the level in the tank, and look under the front of the car for drips. On the drive, turn the wheel lock to lock and listen for a whine or groan, and feel for steering that's heavy or uneven.
A leaking hose is a cheap fix, but a leaking steering rack is a bigger job, so have a mechanic tell you which it is and price it in.
A Whine or Clunk From the Rear Diff
The rear differential sends the engine's power to the back wheels. As it wears, it can whine at steady speeds, and worn mounts or parts can clunk from the back as you accelerate or lift off.
On the drive, listen for a whine from the back that changes as you accelerate and ease off, and for a clunk when you take off or change from Drive to Reverse. Look under the back for oil leaking from the diff.
Ask whether the diff or its mounts have been repaired, with receipts. A noisy diff can be expensive to fix, so have a mechanic check it or price it in.
Window Motors That Fail
Each electric window in a Territory runs on a motor and a regulator inside the door. As they wear, windows slow down, stick, go up crooked or stop working altogether.
Run every window fully down and up, from the driver's switches and each door's own switch. Each should move at a steady speed, without stopping, grinding or tilting.
A window repair is a moderate cost per door, so price in any that are slow or stuck.
LPG Tank Testing
Territorys that run on LPG have a gas tank in the back. LPG tanks must be re-tested every 10 years to stay legal, and an out-of-date tank can't legally be used until it's re-tested or replaced.
Find the tank's compliance plate, which shows when it was made or last tested. Check the car runs smoothly on gas as well as petrol, and switches over cleanly. Ask for the installation or re-test certificate where your state requires one.
A tank that's nearly due for testing is a cost to price in. If the tank is out of date and there's no paperwork, budget for a re-test or replacement before you can use the gas.
Parts and Servicing Since Ford Stopped Making It
Ford stopped making the Territory in 2016. It can still be serviced and repaired, but some parts can be slower or dearer to get than for a model still on sale.
Ask where the car has been serviced. Before you buy, check the price of parts for any repair the inspection turns up, and get an insurance quote, so there are no surprises after you own it.
Which Ford Territory Years to Avoid?
No Ford Territory year is one to avoid outright. Which problems a particular car has depends on its generation, its engine and how it was used, so judge the one in front of you rather than the year alone, starting with its recalls and reported faults (Shufti looks these up from the listing).
- SY (2005–2011). Every one is now over 10 years old, so condition and history count for more than the year: look hard for rust, worn suspension and leaks, and check whether a timing belt (if it has one) has been replaced.
- SZ (2011–2016). Every one is now over 10 years old, so condition and history count for more than the year: look hard for rust, worn suspension and leaks, and check whether a timing belt (if it has one) has been replaced.
Which recalls and reported faults apply depends on the exact year and engine. Shufti works them out for the Territory you're looking at, from its listing.
Ford Territory Inspection Checklist
Tick it if it's fine. Cross it if it isn't, and note what you found so you can price it into your offer.
- Safety critical
- Affects how safely it drives or protects you in a crash. Best to have a mechanic check it before you buy.
- Negotiate
- Costs money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Get a quote and take it off the price.
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Before You Go
01
Exterior
02
Under the Bonnet
03
Underbody and Wheels
04
Interior and Electrics
05
Test Drive
06
Documentation
Stay Safe
Never go under a car held up only by a jack, and never open the radiator or coolant cap on a hot engine. Keep hands, hair and loose clothing clear of fans and belts when the engine is running, and do checks under the bonnet with it switched off where you can. On the test drive, hold a current licence, confirm the car is registered and insured, obey road rules, and only brake hard when the road behind is clear. Meet in a safe, public-facing place, take someone with you, and don't carry large amounts of cash to a viewing.
Take this checklist to the viewing.
Download the free PDFOr let Shufti tailor it to the car from the listing link, with PPSR and recall checks included.
Disclaimer. Shufti is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ford; Ford and Territory are trademarks of Ford Motor Company. Figures are counts from Shufti's analysis of official records and published reports, not a statement that any particular vehicle is affected. This checklist is general information only and is not professional, mechanical, legal or financial advice. It covers common checks, not every possible fault, and a car can pass every item here and still have problems. It is not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic, which is worth considering before you buy, especially if anything tagged Safety critical turns up. Repair costs vary widely; get your own quotes. Roadworthy, registration and transfer rules differ by state, so check with your state road authority. Private sales generally don't come with the consumer guarantees that apply when you buy from a dealer. You use this checklist at your own risk and, to the extent permitted by law, Shufti accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury arising from its use.
What This Guide Can't Tell You About the Territory You're Looking At
4+
recalls on Territories built since 2005
16
common faults reported on Territories built since 2005
Money owing, stolen or a write-off?
A tidy car can hide all three.
What's each fault worth?
Shufti's negotiation coach turns it into leverage.
A Shufti inspection covers all of that, plus:
- Guided checks for the exact car you're inspecting
- PPSR and government recall checks included
- Crosschecks 3M+ recalls and owner complaints
- Spots issues from your photos and audio
- Test drive routes with turn-by-turn navigation
- Negotiation coach with repair cost estimates
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Don't drive home in a lemon.
Not sure yet? Try the free sample vehicle in Shufti. No sign-up needed.
Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
Start from the listing
Drop in a link from any major car sales website. Shufti retrieves the important information about your vehicle to guide you through a customised buying process.
* Shufti analysis, October 2026, of official recall notices, complaints lodged by vehicle owners with vehicle safety regulators, and independent reviews and owner forums. Faults are counted when two or more independent sources report them.
Buying a Used Ford Territory: Questions Answered
Is a used Ford Territory reliable?
It depends more on the particular car than the badge: how it was driven, loaded and serviced. Work through the commonly reported problems above, read the service history for servicing done on time, and run a PPSR check.
Which Ford Territory years should I avoid?
No Ford Territory year is one to avoid outright. Which problems a particular car has depends on its generation, its engine and how it was used, so judge the one in front of you rather than the year alone, starting with its recalls and reported faults (Shufti looks these up from the listing).
This checklist covers the SY (2005–2011) and SZ (2011–2016) Ford Territory. Problems reported across them include a wobble through the steering under braking from worn front suspension parts, power steering leaks and a whine or clunk from the rear diff.
How many kilometres is too many for a used Ford Territory?
Kilometres matter less than how the car was driven and serviced. A high-kilometre SUV with a full service history can be a better buy than a low-kilometre one that's missed services, done short trips or been used for rideshare. Check the history for regular servicing, and on a hybrid ask for a battery health check.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a used Ford Territory?
It's worth it if you can. All-wheel-drive and hybrid systems can hide faults that only a mechanic's tools will show. Most buyers don't book one, though, so whatever you decide, check the car thoroughly yourself with this checklist first. See Is a pre-purchase inspection worth it?
How do I check a used Ford Territory for money owing or a write-off?
Run a PPSR check with the car's VIN. It shows whether there's finance owing and whether the car has been reported stolen or written off, and costs $2. Run it on the day you pay. See What a PPSR check covers and what it doesn't
Mechanic, Checklist or Shufti?
Here's how Shufti stacks up against your other options.
A mechanic's inspection is the most thorough, but most buyers go without one. Shufti makes sure you're well informed either way.
| Feature | Shufti $24.99 per check | Mechanic Inspection $250–350+ per booking | This Guide Free the basics, on paper |
|---|---|---|---|
Guided, model-specific checks | Yes | Yes | No |
PPSR and government recall checks | Yes | No | No |
Crosschecks over 3 million recalls and owner complaints | Yes | No | No |
Smart detection of issues from your photos and audio | Yes | No | No |
Test drive route planning and navigation | Yes | No | No |
Instant report generation | Yes | No | No |
Negotiation copilot and repair cost estimates | Yes | No | No |
Plain-English explanations, not jargon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
No booking or waiting required | Yes | No | Yes |
See it for yourself. Open the free sample report in the app, no sign-up needed.
Comparing Other Cars?
Looking at a different car? Use the general used car inspection checklist or browse every inspection checklist.