# Used Holden Commodore Inspection Checklist > What to check on a used VE or VF Commodore, what a problem looks like, and when to walk away. Covers: VE (2006–2013), VF (2013–2017). Last updated: 30 September 2026. Web page: https://shufti.com.au/checklists/used-holden-commodore-inspection-checklist. Printable PDF: https://shufti.com.au/checklists/used-holden-commodore-inspection-checklist.pdf. ## Common Problems on a Used Holden Commodore The most commonly reported problems on a used Holden Commodore are timing-chain wear on some engines, a wobble through the steering under braking from worn front suspension parts, and faded or peeling paint on the roof and boot. LPG cars need a current tank test, and with Holden gone since 2020, check parts prices before you buy. ## How to Use This 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. ## Before You Go - [ ] **Get the VIN and rego** before you travel. A seller who won't share them is a red flag on its own. - [ ] **Know what you're looking at:** V6 or V8; petrol, LPG or dual-fuel; sedan, wagon or ute. LPG, V8 and ute checks below are marked. - [ ] **Ask how it was used:** private, fleet, police, taxi or towing? For a V8, ask about track days, burnouts and tunes. - [ ] **Ask for the engine to be cold,** go in daylight, and bring a torch, paper towel and a friend. ## Exterior - [ ] **Panels and paint.** Uneven gaps, mismatched colour or overspray on seals and trim mean crash repair. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Paint on the roof, bonnet and boot.** Faded or peeling clear coat is common on cars left in the sun. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Ex-fleet signs:** holes in the roof, dash or boot for lights, radios and meters; decal residue on the doors. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Ute: tub.** Dents and rust around the tailgate and tie-downs; the tonneau cover fits and seals. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Lights and glass.** All lights work, no condensation inside; windscreen free of chips in the driver's view. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Wheels.** Kerbed or cracked alloys; aftermarket wheels need to suit the car. A badly kerbed wheel can be bent. (Negotiate) - [ ] **VIN plate** (in a door frame or under the bonnet) is there, untouched, and matches the papers. ## Under the Bonnet - [ ] **Engine oil** between the dipstick marks, brown not black. Old, dark oil means servicing has been skipped. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Coolant** at the mark and brightly coloured. Rusty or oily coolant, or regular top-ups, needs a mechanic. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Brake fluid** (small tank at the back of the engine bay) is clear to light amber, not dark. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Belts, hoses and battery.** No cracked belts or swollen hoses; clean battery terminals and a date sticker. (Negotiate) - [ ] **LPG: tank date.** The tank's compliance plate (in the boot or tub) shows when it was made or last tested. LPG tanks must be re-tested every 10 years to stay legal. - [ ] **V8: modifications.** Aftermarket intake, headers, cam or tune. They must be declared to insurers and can make it unroadworthy. - [ ] **Cold start.** Starts easily and settles to a smooth idle. A rattle for the first few seconds, or a steady tick, needs a mechanic. (Negotiate) ## Underbody and Wheels - [ ] **Tyres** above the wear bars, worn evenly and under ~6 years old. Worn-out rear tyres alone on a V8 can point to burnouts. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Rust and crash repairs.** Rust on the floor or around the suspension; bent metal, fresh welds or new black coating in one spot. (Safety critical) - [ ] **Oil leaks** from the engine, gearbox and rear diff; drips where it's normally parked. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Suspension.** Oily shock absorbers, or cut or aftermarket springs. Lowered cars need to meet your state's ride-height rules. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Brakes.** Deep grooves, a raised edge or blue-tinged discs (overheated from hard driving). (Negotiate) - [ ] **Exhaust.** Aftermarket systems can be too loud to be legal; check for heavy rust or loose heat shields. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Towbar.** A worn tow ball means lots of towing; check the wiring plug works. (Negotiate) ## Interior and Electrics - [ ] **Warning lights.** Key to "on": every dash light comes on, then goes out once running. An airbag, brake or engine light that stays on needs explaining. (Safety critical) - [ ] **Water leaks.** Damp carpet, a wet boot floor or a stained headlining. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Wear matches the kilometres.** Steering wheel, gear selector, pedals and driver's seat bolster. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Seatbelts** pull out fully, retract and latch, with no fraying. (Safety critical) - [ ] **Air con** blows cold within a minute or two, without a musty smell; heater gets hot. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Electrics.** Screen, Bluetooth, reversing camera, sensors, windows and mirrors all work. Count the keys. (Negotiate) ## Test Drive - [ ] **Automatic.** Smooth changes with no slipping, flare or thump into Drive or Reverse. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Manual.** In 4th at 50 km/h, floor it: if revs rise faster than speed, the clutch is slipping. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Engine.** Pulls smoothly with no stutter or smoke. LPG: runs smoothly on gas too, and switches over cleanly. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Braking stability.** Brake firmly from 60 km/h: it stops straight, with no pulling, wobble or shimmy through the wheel. A wobble or shimmy under braking can mean worn front suspension parts. (Safety critical) - [ ] **Steering and suspension.** Drives straight; no knocks or clunks over bumps. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Noises.** A whine or clunk from the rear as you accelerate or lift off (rear diff); a hum that grows with speed (wheel bearing). (Negotiate) - [ ] **Afterwards,** check for new drips, a steady temperature gauge and no hot smells. (Negotiate) ## Documentation - [ ] **Seller's ID** matches the rego papers, and the VIN matches on the papers and VIN plate. - [ ] **Service history.** Oil changes on time, with receipts. Ask about any timing-chain replacement on a V6. (Negotiate) - [ ] **LPG paperwork.** Installation or tank re-test certificate, where your state requires one. - [ ] **Modifications in writing.** Tunes, lowering and exhausts, with engineering sign-off where your state requires it. - [ ] **Parts and servicing.** Holden stopped selling cars in 2020. Ask where it's been serviced, and check parts prices for any repair you'd need. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Rego and roadworthy.** Rego checked online; roadworthy supplied if your state requires one on sale. (Negotiate) ## 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. ## Disclaimer Shufti is not affiliated with or endorsed by Holden or General Motors; Holden and Commodore are trademarks of General Motors LLC. 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 serious problems. It is not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic, which we strongly recommend before you buy, especially for anything tagged Safety critical. 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. --- Shufti is an Australian used car inspection app for iPhone and Android that tailors the inspection to the exact car you're looking at. It is not affiliated with Shufti Pro, the identity verification (KYC) company. From the listing link, it builds every check around that car's make, model and year, odometer reading and the seller's description. It runs PPSR and government recall checks, crosschecks a database of more than 3 million recalls and owner complaints, flags problems from your photos and audio, plans a test drive, produces a shareable report with repair cost estimates, and coaches you through the negotiation. A check costs $24.99, or $49.99 for three, including PPSR and recall checks. A mechanic's pre-purchase inspection costs $250–350. Made by Frontpoint Digital Pty Ltd (ABN 23 669 870 366), Melbourne, Australia. Contact: hello@shufti.com.au. Download: [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6795718336), [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.shufti.shufti_app).