I'm about to close on a deal for a 2002 Toyota 4runner.
The previous owner has no actual records of service done besides oil changes.
4Runner has about 185k miles on it, seems to drive alright.

What should I look for while inspecting the vehicle?
Also if I decide to buy it could I do most services on it like the transmission filter even though there aren't any records of service?

Looking to make this my daily driver. Thanks

 

This is one of those things do you feel lucky ??

Does it have the California Emission package You could be looking at some sensors and Cats

Quite easy to clear codes

Timing Belt has it been done might have been done maybe not

Then the Normal things like Suspension Steering and Brakes

What part of the World ??

Does it see Northern Winter ??

The 4Runners frames made in Japan Hold up better but the liquid brine takes them out

14 years old are the Vacuum hoses getting hard and brittle ??

Brake lines and Fuel lines getting Rusty .??

Start at the ground and inspect things till you get to the roof

No strange noises or big puddles of fluids

Test drive Making Sure 4hi and 4 Lo work and things shift like they should

 

The rear axle seals are a common problem. I've read on here that if the rear brakes feel sticky at low speeds, it is a sign of the leak. Just picked up an 02 Tacoma, and aside from the dealer over-filling the auto transmission fluid (it just leaked out of the dipstick tube seal for a couple days then stopped), it has been driving great. It only has 82,000 miles but never had the timing belt replaced so I'm going to be doing that soon(ish).

 

Okay here are some other things to check on it. The above comments are all good things to check.

1. Check the compression of each cylinder on the motor. This will tell you a ton as far as if has been abused or not.

2. Check to see what the coolant looks like in both the over flow and the radiator.

3. Always take the thing for a test drive

Good Luck

Paul