Models · Toyota
Toyota Land Cruiser J120 buying guide
The J120 Land Cruiser, built from 2003 to 2009, mostly sold in the UK with the 3.0 D-4D diesel and a short-lived 4.0 V6 petrol. It is a durable off-roader, and the checks centre on corrosion and a handful of known diesel issues.
The versions
- 3.0 D-4D four-cylinder diesel, 161bhp, rising to about 170bhp with a later update
- 4.0 V6 petrol, 245bhp, short-lived
- LC2, LC3 (adds a centre differential), LC4 with conventional suspension and LC5 with variable-height rear air suspension
- Manual or automatic, with Hill-start Assist Control on LC4 and LC5 automatics
What to check on a J120 Land Cruiser
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Injector seals and diesel knocks
What to look for: On a diesel built from June 2004 to October 2007, ask for evidence the injector seal recall was done. Listen at idle: a diesel rattle is normal, a knock is not. In gear with the brake held, watch the engine; more than about an inch of rocking points to failed engine mounts. Check the cambelt was changed by 100,000 miles.
Why it matters: A 2011 recall covered faulty injector gaskets on these cars, which let combustion gas leak past the injector and turn the oil to sludge. A knock can mean faulty injector control. The pneumatic engine mounts can fail, and the D-4D has a cambelt due at 100,000 miles.
Floor, inner sills and rear chassis
What to look for: From underneath, look at the body floor, inner sills, rear axle and rear chassis for corrosion, along with the coolant pipes and the middle-row heater pipes. Look at the overhangs for grounding damage.
Why it matters: Corrosion here is the main structural check, worse on cars used to launch boats in salt water. The middle-row heater pipes can rot through underneath and lose coolant.
The panel between radiator and gearbox oil cooler
What to look for: On an automatic, look at the front of the car where the radiator and gearbox oil cooler sit together for corrosion. Ask whether the gearbox fluid has been changed.
Why it matters: The panel between the coolant radiator and the gearbox oil cooler can rot, letting coolant contaminate the gearbox oil and damage the gearbox. The automatic is sealed for life, but specialists recommend regular fluid changes.
Also in the full guide
- LC5 air suspension
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the J120 Land Cruiser
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Toyota.