Free printable checklist
What to Look For When Buying a Used Holden Trax
What to check on a used Trax, what a problem looks like, and when to walk away.
Covers
- TJ 2013–2016
- TJ facelift 2017–2020
Or get a checklist built for the exact Trax you're looking at:
Last updated
Common Problems on a Used Holden Trax
The most commonly reported problems on a used Holden Trax are a leaking water pump, a whistle or rough idle from a vacuum leak, and peeling paint on the bonnet and roof. Holden left Australia in 2020, so check where it's been serviced and what parts will cost.
Which of these apply depends on the year and engine. Shufti works that out for a particular car from its listing.
Water Pump Leaks
The water pump circulates coolant to keep the engine cool. A leaking pump lets coolant escape, and an engine that runs low on coolant can overheat and be badly damaged.
With the engine cold, check the coolant tank is at the mark, and look around the engine for pink crust or wet patches. On the test drive, watch the temperature gauge stays steady, and afterwards check for a sweet smell or drips.
Ask whether the water pump has been replaced, with receipts. A leak is a moderate repair if caught early, so price it into your offer.
Vacuum Leaks and Rough Idle
Owners report a whistling or hissing noise from the engine and a rough or uneven idle, often from a failed valve that vents the engine (PCV valve) or a split hose letting in extra air.
With the engine running and the bonnet open, listen for a whistle or hiss. Watch the rev needle at idle: it should sit steady. Check for an engine warning light on the dash.
The fix is often not expensive, but it shouldn't be ignored. Ask whether it's been done, and price it in if you hear it.
Peeling Paint
Years of Australian sun break down the clear coat on a car's flat surfaces. On many Traxes, the bonnet and roof fade, go chalky or start peeling, especially on cars parked outside.
In daylight, look along the roof and bonnet at a low angle for dull, chalky or peeling patches. Darker colours often show it first.
It's cosmetic, but the only proper fix is a respray of each affected panel, which isn't cheap. Price it into your offer.
Servicing and Parts Since Holden Left
Holden stopped selling cars here in 2020. Servicing and warranty work moved to other dealers and independent workshops, and some parts now take longer to get or cost more.
Ask where the car has been serviced, and check the history covers the years since. Ring a local workshop or parts supplier and ask about price and availability for anything the inspection turns up.
Most mechanical parts are still easy to find, but body panels, trim and electronics can be harder. Price any repair before you make an offer.
Which Holden Trax Years to Avoid?
No Holden Trax 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).
- TJ (2013–2016). 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.
- TJ facelift (2017–2020). Most have done enough kilometres for wear items to come due: check the service history for regular servicing, and whether tyres, brakes and the battery need replacing.
Which recalls and reported faults apply depends on the exact year and engine. Shufti works them out for the Trax you're looking at, from its listing.
Holden Trax 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 Holden or General Motors; Holden and Trax 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 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 Trax You're Looking At
1+
recalls on Traxes built since 2013
3
common faults reported on Traxes built since 2013
1,007
owner complaints on Traxes (also sold as the Chevrolet Trax) built 2015–2020
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
Get Shufti on your mobile.
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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 Holden Trax: Questions Answered
Is a used Holden Trax 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 Holden Trax years should I avoid?
No Holden Trax 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 TJ (2013–2016) and TJ facelift (2017–2020) Holden Trax. Problems reported across them include water pump leaks, vacuum leaks and rough idle and peeling paint.
How many kilometres is too many for a used Holden Trax?
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 Holden Trax?
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 Holden Trax 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.