Free printable checklist
What to Look For When Buying a Used Nissan Patrol
What to check on a used Patrol 4x4 wagon, what a problem looks like, and when to walk away.
Covers
- GU (Y61) 1997–2016
- Y62 2013 on
Or get a checklist built for the exact Patrol you're looking at:
Last updated
Common Problems on a Used Nissan Patrol
The most commonly reported problems on a used Nissan Patrol are rust on older wagons, leaks from the linked hydraulic suspension on versions that have it, and wear from heavy towing and corrugated roads. Patrols running on LPG need a current tank test.
Which of these apply depends on the year and engine. Shufti works that out for a particular car from its listing.
Rust on Older Wagons
Older Patrols can rust around the windscreen frame, the door bottoms, the wheel arches and around the rear doors, and beach driving speeds it up. Surface rust is fixable, but rust that has eaten through the metal weakens the body, and around the windscreen it can let water in.
In daylight, check the windscreen frame, door bottoms, wheel arches and the edges of the rear doors for bubbling paint or flaking metal. Underneath, look at the chassis and floor, and be wary of fresh black coating in one spot, which can hide rust or repairs. Press the carpet for damp.
Small spots of surface rust are worth a little off the price. Rust holes, or rust in the chassis or windscreen frame, mean expensive repairs, so have a mechanic check it or walk away.
Linked Hydraulic Suspension Leaks
Some Patrols have a linked hydraulic suspension system that connects the shock absorbers through hydraulic lines. It keeps the car flat in corners on the road and lets the wheels move further off-road. With age, corrugations and rust, its lines and parts can leak.
Look underneath for oily, wet lines near each wheel. On the drive, the car should lean evenly both ways in corners and sit level when parked. Uneven lean, a car that sits lower at one corner, or a suspension warning can point to a fault.
Parts for the system are expensive. Ask about any suspension repairs, with receipts, and if you see leaks, have a 4WD specialist check it before you buy.
Towing, Corrugations and Roof Loads
A Patrol that has towed a heavy caravan, done outback trips or carried a loaded roof rack has worked far harder than its kilometres suggest. Corrugated roads shake parts loose, heavy towing wears the gearbox and chassis, and a heavy roof load on corrugations can crack the roof.
Check the roof around the rack mounts for dents, cracked paint and leaks inside. Underneath, look at the chassis near the towbar and rear suspension for kinks, cracks or fresh welds. Red dust in the door seals, stone-chipped paint and a well-worn tow ball all point to a hard life.
Ask how the car was used, how heavy the towing was and how far, and ask for the paperwork for any modifications. Heavy use should mean extra gearbox and diff servicing. A hard-worked car is worth a 4WD mechanic's inspection before you buy.
LPG Tank Testing
Patrols 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.
Which Nissan Patrol Years to Avoid?
No Nissan Patrol 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).
- GU (Y61) (1997–2016). 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.
- Y62 (2013 on). The current model. The newest may still have some new-car warranty left; on older ones, check the service history and whether tyres, brakes and the battery are due.
Which recalls and reported faults apply depends on the exact year and engine. Shufti works them out for the Patrol you're looking at, from its listing.
Nissan Patrol 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.
00
Before You Go
01
Exterior
02
Under the Bonnet
03
Underbody and 4x4
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 Nissan; Nissan and Patrol are trademarks of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. 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 Patrol You're Looking At
3+
recalls on Patrols built since 2005
16
common faults reported on Patrols built since 2005
449
owner complaints on Y62 Patrols (also sold as the Armada) built 2017–2024
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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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 Nissan Patrol: Questions Answered
Is a used Nissan Patrol 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 Nissan Patrol years should I avoid?
No Nissan Patrol 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 GU (Y61) (1997–2016) and Y62 (2013 on) Nissan Patrol. Problems reported across them include rust on older wagons, leaks from the linked hydraulic suspension and wear from heavy towing.
How many kilometres is too many for a used Nissan Patrol?
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 Nissan Patrol?
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 Nissan Patrol 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.