Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series Buyer's Guide Sydney: What to Check Before You Sign

The 300 Series replaced the 200 in late 2021 and, for its first three years, used examples sold for more than new ones because of the waiting list. That premium is gone, the first cars are out of warranty, and the problems that matter are now well documented. This guide covers the variants, the engine, the known faults by build year and exactly what we look at on a 300 before a Sydney buyer commits.

The range at a glance

Every Australian 300 uses the same drivetrain: the 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel (Toyota code F33A-FTV, 227 kW and 700 Nm), a 10-speed automatic and full-time four-wheel drive. Braked towing is 3,500 kg across the range.

Known issues to check, by build

The 300 is a reliable vehicle overall, but it has a short list of well-reported faults, and most of them show up in a proper inspection rather than a test drive.

• Seventh (exhaust) injector faults, all builds. The extra injector that helps the DPF regenerate is the most commonly reported fault on the 300. Symptoms are limp mode, a check-engine light and smoke, often first seen around the 20,000 km mark. Toyota has addressed it with software; ask for the dealer invoice showing the update, and we read the stored fault codes so a cleared light can't hide a history.
• DPF regeneration on short-trip cars. A 300 used as a school-run car in the inner suburbs will struggle to complete regeneration cycles. We check regen history and soot load through the OBD-II port on every tier.
• Turbo hesitation under load (software). A flat spot around 2,200–2,500 rpm when towing heavy is a known calibration issue that Toyota updates in the ECU. Again, the dealer service history shows whether the update has been done.
• Oil consumption and heat under sustained load. Owners who tow at the limit or drive sand report higher oil use between services. A car that has lived with a caravan on the back deserves a closer look at the sump, the oil level and the service intervals.
• Transmission overheating when towing. Rare, but reported on long climbs with 3-tonne-plus trailers. Look for evidence of an aftermarket transmission cooler and ask why it was fitted.
• 2025 build transmission control module recall. Toyota recalled 11,019 Australian 300 Series from the 2025 model year because the TCM could let the transmission rev faster than intended, lose drive and leak fluid. It is a free dealer fix; we confirm the campaign is closed against the VIN.
• Thin paint and stone chips. The bonnet leading edge, guards and lower doors chip early. Not mechanical, but it affects resale and hides repairs — paint-thickness readings on every panel on Elite catch a resprayed guard.
• Infotainment glitches. Random reboots and screen drop-outs are documented; they're warranty items on newer cars and a bargaining point on older ones.
• Exposed fuel filter. The filter sits near the rear wheel arch and is vulnerable off road. We check it for impact damage and for an aftermarket guard.

What we check on a 300 Series

On Comprehensive and Elite we work through 150+ checkpoints. The car goes on portable ramps and the engine undertray comes off where it is fitted, safely accessible and permitted, so oil, coolant and transmission weeps are found at the source. Every suspension bush and mount is checked — 300s that tow are hard on rear bushes. The OBD-II scan reads stored, pending and live codes, DPF soot load and regeneration count. We inspect the tow bar, the wiring and the rear springs for sag, check for underbody damage on GR Sport and GX examples that have been off road, and measure brake and tyre life per corner. On Elite the paint gauge goes over every panel, which is how a chipped-and-touched-up bonnet gets found.

Approximate Sydney asking prices, September 2026

These are typical private and dealer asking ranges we see on current listings; they move with fuel prices and new-car supply, so treat them as a guide.

Which inspection to book

At these prices the Elite Buyers' Protection ($449) inspection is the sensible choice: a senior inspector, paint-thickness readings on every panel, face-to-face negotiation with the seller and written repair cover of up to $3,000 for 30 days if we miss a major fault. Comprehensive ($329, or $296 with code SAVE10) covers the mechanical checks and the undertray-off leak check without the negotiation and cover.

Common questions

Is the 300 Series more reliable than the 200?

Mechanically it is a newer, more complex vehicle, and the twin-turbo V6 has more reported early-life electronics issues than the 200's V8 did. Most are software fixes. A 300 with a complete dealer history and the updates done is a very dependable car.

Should I avoid a 300 that has towed a caravan?

No, but it should be inspected differently. We look at the rear springs and bushes, the transmission fluid condition, the oil level and the service intervals, and we ask about the trailer weight.

Does the 2025 transmission recall affect older cars?

No — it is limited to the 2025 model year. We check the VIN against the recall regardless.

Are the first 2021–2022 cars the ones to avoid?

Early builds have the most reported injector and infotainment faults, but most were fixed under warranty. The service history matters more than the build year.

How long does the inspection take?

75–105 minutes for Comprehensive, longer on Elite. The report is issued on site before the inspector leaves.