Looking at buying this LC71 from an auction in the Middle East — what should I inspect/watch out for?
Hey everyone,
I found this Toyota Land Cruiser 71 (70 Series short wheelbase hardtop) at an auction here in the Middle East and I’m considering buying it, but I honestly don’t know much about the condition yet besides the photos and basic info.
The car has around 91k km on it, but since it’s an auction car I have no idea how it was treated, maintained, or abused before.
I wanted to ask people here who know these trucks well:
What are the biggest things I should inspect before buying?
Specifically:
- Common hidden problems on LC71s?
- What usually fails first on these?
- Any engine or gearbox issues to look out for?
- How can I tell if it’s been heavily off-roaded/desert abused?
- What suspension/chassis/frame issues should I check?
- Any signs of diff or transfer case problems?
- What should I listen for during startup/test drive?
- Are there common electrical issues?
- How bad is fuel economy in real life?
- Is 91k km considered low or should I still expect major maintenance?
- How reliable are these as daily drivers in the GCC?
- Are parts easy and cheap to get in the Middle East?
- Anything specific I should check underneath the car?
Also from the photos, does anything stand out to you guys visually? Good or bad?
I’m mainly looking for something reliable, simple, durable, and good for everyday use but I don’t want to accidentally buy a neglected auction nightmare.
Would you guys buy one like this?
Thanks in advance.🫶🏻