Which ix35 is it?
The ix35 was the second-generation Tucson under another name, and it ran here until the Tucson name returned in 2015. It came in Active, Elite and Highlander trims.
The 2.0-litre petrol with front-wheel drive was on the Active and Elite. The 2.4-litre petrol and the 2.0-litre diesel were on the Elite and Highlander. Looks won't date one for you, because Australian cars kept the earlier styling and only the headlights changed at the facelift. Use the rego papers instead.
What a mechanic should check on an older ix35
- The service history: stamps, invoices, and any gaps of more than 12 months
- Engine oil level and condition, and any leaks around the engine
- Coolant condition and the hoses that carry it
- Brake pads, rotors and brake fluid
- Suspension and steering wear at the front end
- Tyres, for age as well as tread
- The 12-volt battery and the charging system
- On a diesel, how it starts cold and what's coming out of the exhaust
- On an all-wheel-drive car, whether the drive system works as it should
Hyundai ix35 service
Hyundai's terms say a diesel or a non-turbo petrol past its Service Passport schedule goes on 12 months or 15,000 km. All three ix35 engines fit that, so there's no separate rule to chase for older cars. Those terms also call standard scheduled services limited in scope, so ask what's on the list and what isn't, and have the written estimate name both.
A logbook service still pays off on an older car, because a clean record is the first thing the next buyer looks for.
Check for recalls first
Before you spend on repairs, run the VIN through Hyundai's recall checker. It takes the 17-digit number, which you'll find on the passenger side of the dash, on the rego certificate or in the owner's manual. If anything's open, take the car to a Hyundai dealer for it.
Buying a used ix35?
Have a pre-purchase inspection done before you hand over money, and go in knowing which of the three engines it has. Ask how the car's been used as well. A town car, a tow car and a highway car age differently, and the mechanic reads the inspection with that in mind.
Own one already? Tell us the year, the engine and what it needs. A local mechanic who specialises in your car.
Our take on the ix35
On a car this age, ask the mechanic to rank the list: what's a safety job now, what's needed this year, and what can wait. Do the safety items first, keep the servicing on time, and don't let a long list of small items hide the one that matters. If the total is getting close to what the car's worth, say so and ask what they'd do in your shoes.