Used Toyota Aurion: Common Problems and Which Years to Buy
What to check on a used Aurion, what a problem looks like, and when to walk away.
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- GSV40 2006–2012
- GSV50 2012–2017
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Common Problems on a Used Toyota Aurion
The most commonly reported problems on a used Toyota Aurion are the V6 using oil from worn piston rings, a VVT-i oil hose on earlier cars that can split and leak oil, and shudder or flare from the automatic gearbox. Also check for dashboard rattles and a sticky dash.
For the Aurion you're looking at, a Shufti Tailored check works from the car itself: its listing, kms, PPSR and recalls by VIN, your photos checked, and a repair cost and offer.
Engine Oil Use
Owners report the Aurion's 3.5-litre V6 using oil as the piston rings wear, especially on high-kilometre cars.
Pull the dipstick: the oil should be between the marks and look brown, not black. Ask how often it gets topped up, and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.
Check the service history for oil changes on time, as the V6 is sensitive to oil condition. A car using a lot of oil needs a mechanic's check before you buy.
A Leaking VVT-i Oil Hose
On XV40 Aurions built before June 2009, the rubber part of the VVT-i oil supply hose could split and leak oil, and Toyota replaced it with a redesigned hose (AustralianCar.Reviews).
Look around the engine for oil leaks, and watch for the oil pressure light on the drive. Ask whether the hose has been replaced.
A split hose can dump oil fast and destroy the engine. If there's no record of a new hose, have it replaced before driving far.
Automatic Gearbox Shudder and Flare
Owners report the six-speed automatic shuddering through the torque converter, and early XV40 Aurions could flare between third and fourth gear when cold, which Toyota fixed with a revised valve body (AustralianCar.Reviews).
On the test drive, accelerate gently through the gears from cold, and hold a light throttle at 60 to 80 km/h. Feel for shudder, and watch for the revs jumping between changes.
Ask whether the transmission fluid has been changed. If it shudders, have a mechanic check it or price it into your offer.
Which Toyota Aurion Years to Avoid?
No single Toyota Aurion year stands out as one to avoid. Newer ones usually have fewer kilometres and less wear. Whatever the year, a car's condition, service history and recalls tell you more than its build date, and Shufti looks up the reported faults and recalls for the exact car from its listing.
- GSV40 (2006–2012). 14 to 20 years old, typically about 180,000–250,000 km. ANCAP ratings: 4 stars (2007) for the AT-X built to July 2009; 5 stars (2010) for cars built from August 2009. Stability control is standard. At this age, 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.
- GSV50 (2012–2017). 9 to 14 years old, typically about 110,000–180,000 km. ANCAP ratings: 5 stars (2012) for cars built to March 2015; 5 stars (2014) for cars built from April 2015. Stability control is standard; AEB wasn't available. 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.
Kilometres are at the Australian average of about 12,600 km a year. Well above that means harder use; well below, ask why.
For the Aurion you're looking at, a Shufti Tailored check works from the car itself: its listing, kms, PPSR and recalls by VIN, your photos checked, and a repair cost and offer.
Toyota Aurion General Inspection Guide
A guide to checking for Toyota Aurion problems, built on the used car buying checklist for any car. It can't cover every problem reported across its years in one viewing.
- GSV40 2006–2012
- GSV50 2012–2017
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.
01
Exterior
4 checks
01
Exterior
4 checks
02
Under the Bonnet
4 checks
02
Under the Bonnet
4 checks
03
Underbody and Wheels
4 checks, 1 safety critical
03
Underbody and Wheels
4 checks, 1 safety critical
04
Interior and Electrics
5 checks, 2 safety critical
04
Interior and Electrics
5 checks, 2 safety critical
05
Test Drive
3 checks, 1 safety critical
05
Test Drive
3 checks, 1 safety critical
06
Documentation
3 checks
06
Documentation
3 checks
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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 Toyota; Toyota and Aurion are trademarks of Toyota Motor Corporation. 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 the General inspection guide can't tell you about the Aurion you're looking at
3+
recalls on Aurions built since 2006
7
common faults reported on Aurions built since 2006
What's each fault worth?
Shufti's negotiation coach turns it into leverage.
Money owing, stolen or a write-off?
A tidy car can hide all three.
A Tailored check in the Shufti app covers all of that, plus:
- Guided checks for the exact car you're inspecting
- 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
- PPSR and government recall checks included
Get a Shufti Tailored check on your mobile.
Don't drive home in a lemon.
Not sure yet? Start free with the Toyota Aurion General inspection guide, and upgrade to a Tailored check for the car you're serious about.
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, November 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. See the recall notices for the Toyota Aurion on the government's Vehicle Recalls site, and how we check our facts.
Buying a Used Toyota Aurion: Questions Answered
Is a used Toyota Aurion 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 Toyota Aurion years should I avoid?
No single Toyota Aurion year stands out as one to avoid. Newer ones usually have fewer kilometres and less wear. Whatever the year, a car's condition, service history and recalls tell you more than its build date, and Shufti looks up the reported faults and recalls for the exact car from its listing.
This checklist covers the GSV40 (2006–2012) and GSV50 (2012–2017) Toyota Aurion. Problems reported across them include the engine using oil, a leaking VVT-i oil hose and automatic gearbox shudder.
How many kilometres is too many for a used Toyota Aurion?
Kilometres matter less than how the car was driven and serviced. A high-kilometre sedan with a full service history can be a better buy than a low-kilometre one that's missed services, towed, or been used as a taxi, rideshare or fleet car. 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 Toyota Aurion?
It's most worth it on a car where a hidden fault could be costly. Hidden crash repairs, worn suspension and gearbox problems are easy to miss on a short test drive, so check panel gaps and paint closely and drive it long enough to feel every gear change. Either way, start by checking the car yourself with this checklist, so you know what to look for and whether it's worth paying a mechanic to see. See Pre-purchase car inspection: what it checks and costs
How do I check a used Toyota Aurion for money owing or a write-off?
Run a PPSR check with the car's VIN on ppsr.gov.au. It shows whether there's finance owing and whether the car has been reported stolen or written off. Run it on the day you pay. See What a PPSR check covers and what it doesn't
How do I check recalls on a used Toyota Aurion?
Search the government's Vehicle Recalls site for the Toyota Aurion. Each notice says which models and build dates it covers and what the fault is. A recall on record doesn't tell you whether the work was done on a particular car, so ask the seller for proof, or ask a Toyota dealer to check the VIN.
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 | General Inspection Guide Free in the app or on paper |
|---|---|---|---|
Guided, model-specific checks | Yes | Yes | 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 |
PPSR and government recall checks included | Yes | No | No |
Plain-English explanations, not jargon | Yes | Yes | Yes |
No booking or waiting required | Yes | No | Yes |
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Comparing Other Cars?
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