What to Look for when Buying a Used Jeep. Jeeping for Beginners. 

Best tip for buying a new jeep with the 3.6…..CHECK CHECK CHECK the engine oil cooler. Make sure it isn’t leaking because that’s gonna be the most common issue. Shine a light down from the top on the left side of the engine (closest to you) and see if there is a puddle of oil. If so, you’re gonna have a 400 dollar fix then and there.

This video is lowkey a lifesaver, I wish I had taken the time to find something or come across the content of a video like this before I had bought my Jeep. Spent over a year and 1/2 on repairs/waiting for part shipments. Great vid!

Buying less expensive mods does not mean the vehicle was not take care of. 99% of Jeeps i see all done up are "Pavement Princesses". Guys build them up to look cool, with no intention of ever going off road. They are normally babied and meticulously maintained. You dont need top dollar mods to do that. Any one buying a Jeep to go off road knows what they are looking for...

2010 Wrangler original owner and well maintained. 360 000km and running well!

Good information for the new guys took me 4 years to decide on which jeep I wanted got a low mile 98 tj that had no mods been building it up ever since.

Finally a video that shows everything in detail, not only talking. Need it this, thank you

Cheaped out cause they went with rough country 😅 I've had over 10 offroad vehicles and ran rough country zero complaints performed just as good as the higher dollar lifts .. and I dont baby my jeeps

This is super useful information I see people asking this question all the time!

I once bought a 2010 Rubicon jku manual transmission. It was scratched up, basic terraflex 3 inch lift, no leaks at all just very flighty steering, that was corrected by adding aftermarket control arms because it still had stock control arms with a lift.

Josh, thank you for taking the time to give us the knowledge required in making our choices. I'm so happy you list all the things we should look for when deciding on a used Jeep, and this had shed some light between there are dishonest people out there. Thank you once again

I have owned Jeeps of various models since 1972, most of which I purchased used with low milage. My one new Wrangler was a soft top which I regret for numerous reasons to include the dreaded front-end wobble and someone cutting through the plastic window in the back to steal stuff. The most fun was a pre-1950 Willy with no top that I explored the Southwest deserts in. When looking at any vehicle to purchase, I always want a second set of eyes, preferably with mechanical experience, to spot the good and the bad that I might not otherwise. And yes, I agree with looking at the underside first and foremost.

If you're buying used....any used vehicle, the standard has always been for every thousand dollars you spend, you should get a year out of it. So say if you spend 9 thousand dollars on a jeep, and you get 9 years out of it, then you did okay.

I definitely appreciate this video so so much! Thank you ❤

Thanks for that lil educational video!! I’ll try to remember all this when I get around to buying my best Jeep!! 😉 👍

thank you. this is so kind of you to do for us looking when you didnt have to do nothing. alexandria

I want to thank u . U have given great advice. For people like me .

Nice work Josh! Thank you.

Great video! Thanks for the info!!!

Thanks for the great information on getting a used Jeep really appreciated

Thanks for the good advise....very important to check b4 final decision....Gb..

Thank you sir I appreciate it I’m learning a lot

I looked at wranglers online and on FB for over a year. Read forums and watched RU-vid videos. I only drove one. The one I bought. A 2021 wrangler JL sport with rubicon wheels. 21k miles turbo 2.0L. Lease return. Convertible top. Towing package. It's not my main driver. It will be used for fun and towing the atv. No power windows or locks. The towing package was more important than PW and PL.

Thank you. I’m looking for one now. This is good information

I WISH I'd seen this before purchasing my 2017 Wrangler Unltd Sport! Terrific information, thank you.

Well done Josh, thanks

Thank you so much for the advice

Even thou a year old. Ty for this! looking for one now!

Thanks for the video I have a 12 jk sport and I took care of the maintenance accordingly. I have had to replaced the poorly designed oil cooler, leaking axle seals, faulty poorly designed dual stage oil pump, death wobble and replaced steering stabilizer. I reported these problems while under warranty and Chrysler/Dealer just gave me the run around until I was over the warranty. I’m sure not all jeeps are like mine. It is a really good idea to do your homework.Thanks

Thanks a ton for the tips. I am planning to buy a used Jeep and I will definitely look underneath the vehicle to look for signs of abuse and also leakage.

Excellent insight

More of it! Great Video!

Thanks 👍 very good information

Very good information.

Great video. Thanks👍❤️

Great info and video Josh

wow nice video 👌🏼 i learned something new today

Thanks so much for the insite. I'm looking for my first Jeep, mostly a pavement princess. But I plan on driving throughout Mexico including beaches and mountains.

Very good information. I bought my 2015 JKU stock with 33k miles. I now have a Metal Cloak lift, Mickey Thompson wheels and tires, and a Smittybilt tire carrier (new bumpers and winch too). I did not want to cheap out on suspension parts.

Great tips .. thank you !

Thank you so much for your info on buying a jeep. Im in seattle mark

Very helpful video! I only drive stick shift (my preference) so it’s much more difficult to find the one 🤪

I’ve learned my lesson about not checking under a used vehicle before I buy it, bought a used Honda civic, got it home and the whole undercover was coming off. No take backs because it was purchased used…. Great video!

Well done!!

Oh no, you described me in this video.....I saw a Jeep on a premium car lot and wanted it! I did not shop around, other than knowing prices of models on the used market. I wish I had watched this first. The good news.... it was a babied leased vehicle.... one of six owned by a family. According to the salesman it was the dog transporter and never taken off road. I did look underneath for obvious dents. It does smell of dog ;)

Great video

08 wrangler x unlimited from a dealer that was got at auction. It was one owner government jeep. Well-ish maintained and the interior was pristine and a winch. The underside was clean or oeaks 3:21 3:24

You don't buy used Jeeps. You don't buy Jeeps period unless you know you are buying a money pit and can afford it. This is a warning to the kids out there.

Thanks 👍

Thanks for sharing Gracias por compartir Muito Obrigado.

Lov to buy one

Take another person and have them move steering back and forth then you can see if steering or suspension needs work. You should reach down and pull on belt tensioner. I would expect better bolts on the control arms for 33k. And look at the track bar mount. Make sure there is no movement bacl and forth where track bar mounts to axle.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a jeep soft top that fits snug on the back. My TJ, LJ, and JK all have had a gap at the tailgate. If the soft top is a sun rider, make sure the cable is still intact. My JK cable snapped. I have the replacement but haven’t fixed it yet.

I just bought a lifted15 Sport. It has over $10K in upgrades. It's all in great shape.

Rough Country lifts are not cheap. They may be in price but not in actual usage. Im so tired of that narrative. Cheap doesn't always mean cheap and expensive doesn't always mean the best.

Hey Josh, Thanks for very informative video. If possible show video on what are the things that must not be accepted at any price and what things may be acceptable even when not in perfectly prestine condition?

This is why I bought my Jeep new. I know everywhere it has been, and I have done every mod myself.

Even if you "don't know what you're looking at," as long as you don't go off saying that, you can potentially squeeze some truth out of a salesman. If the lot personnel get nervous from you just having an in-depth look, let that be a red flag you don't ignore!

Car fax is nice but I have found multiple jeeps that we took to mechanics before we bought and they find issues not on the car fax. Have an external mechanic check it out, even if you buy from a dealership. If they won’t let you, then don’t buy from them.

Axle seals leaking are something to look for to

Great video!!! SUB and LIKED!!

just got my Uncles 2005 jeep tj..he passed away and his brother took ownership then few months later he had for sale was offerd 12,000 for it he turned it down then my dad asked if he would sell it to me..and well he gave me the uncle nephew deal and gave it to me for 5,000 I was in tears its pretty much mint 2005 jeep tj, stock jeep hard top n soft the soft top is brand new still wrapped in the back as it has never been used yet,had a look at it and wow..its like show room shape have a book with all oil changes etc done and dates etc he took really good care of it as I will also do I will be keeping it stock..the only thing I am actually going to do is put 33's on it that it that way i dont need to lift or do any mods,,,keep it stock in the end years from now it will be worth so much more a 2005 jeep stock tj compared to a 2005 tj thats been lifted mods etc..stock is always worth more 20 30 40 years later than one done up, I owned a 1991 Mustang 5.0 in my 20's for 10 k and put 15 k into it engine etc was just a money pit..wont make the same mistake as mods lead to mods lead to mods and meh been there done that like i said tho it will always be worth more as a stock vehicle that just a fact if it 100% mint shape tho obviously, I dont take it like heavy offroading just like around the lakes n stuff to go fishing n camping

This reminds me when I was trying to trade my 1960 Rambler American Super. I was car hunting and found a beautiful Isuzu Trooper, that was super clean no tears in the seats and just well taken care of. But upon hearing east coast car, I looked at the trailer hitch as I was going to look under it and there almost was nothing left. underneath made you think original Trooper not 01 Trooper... it was that bad.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a Jeep that has scratches underneath from off-roading. When I get under the vehicle I’m looking for rust or broken parts. Drag marks just let me know it’s had a fun time.

If you are particular like me, DON'T even try to by a used Jeep. I have tried for about two years. The ones that I was interested, either sold faster than I could pick up the phone, or priced ridiculously high, to almost new prices. So after two years of looking, I have resigned and ordered a new one. The only regret that I have is having not ordered it to begin with. 2017 JK Rubicon.

such a helpful video. should have a million views.

I bought a jeep with similar equipment being equal all are JL williys 2 door. Out of 3, one was off roaded as evidenced by scratches on the side and under body. I bought the one that was never off roaded. Prices were equal. I want to be the one that puts those scars 😊

You should be looking for a 4Runner

Great video thank you We are new to Las Vegas and looking for our first jeep. Need a 4 door if you are aware of any good deals out there let me know.

I've learned that pavement princesses are great for resale value

I love how the thumbnail has nothing to do with the video. Great job!

First thing I do when buying any vehicle is crawl underneath.

I wish I had seen this video 2 weeks ago. I bought my 2011 Sport, 2 door, 6 speed hardtop running 33's on a 2" suspension lift from a Cadillac dealer- and got screwed. Leaking differential, leaking axle seals, gas leak. They HAD to know that these were issues just from seeing the fluids on the ground underneath. Got a decent deal on it, but 2K worth of work being done now. 😡

😍🥰 The Red XJ 😋🤤🤤🤤🤤

Very informative video. But your music is too loud.

I bought a used jeep 2 years ago. Never ever again!!! If someone gave me a new one, I would sell it that day!!!

It's actually hard tops that are prone to leaks. It's pretty rare for soft tops to leak.

I had a 99 grand Cherokee. Gave me lots of issues. I am not mechanically inclined to own such a high maintenance vehicle. Sold it for 400 dollars. Expensive to repair heads were bad so I cut my losses

the other thing with Modded vehicles is the quality or the parts used

I’m sure some people regularly change the oil themselves since jeeps are easy to get under. Carfax wouldn’t see this of course. I even jack up my low to the ground ford fusion and change it.

If you're buying a used Jeep, you're buying a project vehicle. You had better have the cash reserves to pay someone to do the work, or be a very good DIY mechanic. Oh and you will need to have another vehicle besides the Jeep, because much of the Jeep's time will be in some state of disassembly.

In my area there is about a 6k difference or less between used and new Wranglers...I bought my Wrangler new and I am better for it.

I just found a 2003 tj RUST FREE!!

Any known issues with 2001 wrangler sport models?

JEEP Just Expect Every Problem.

I bought a Jeep JK a few months ago. I was aware to avoid Jeeps that were domiciled in Northern States and Coastal areas, due to rust issues. I was focused on Jeeps with less than 60,000 miles, garaged in a Southern state, not modified and no evidence the Jeep was taken off road or involved in any accidents. I examined over 500 Jeeps for sale on line before I found what I was looking for. It was a one owner, locally owned, that was in showroom condition inside and out. It’s Maintenance record indicated the previous owner changed the oil and filter every 4000 miles at the same dealership. I was lucky to find exactly what I was looking for.

What are your thoughts on Teraflex? Very informative video.

honestly a tacoma is a better bang for your buck even if they are a little underpowered

I don’t understand what you mean by a cheap suspension and shocks, by Rough Country. That’s only your opinion. Rough Country has a very good reputation. That is what we run on all of our Jeeps. Never had a problem!! The cost is not cheap either. Yes, cheaper than Fox but, why pay double for just a name?

What to look for is something else 😂

been looking for months - I have yet to find a used jeep that DOESN'T have rust.

Carfax is not 100%. My first car was a Corolla and it had a clean carfax. Any work done on a “under the table” shop will not show up. Just wanted to point that out. Another good tip is start the 3.6 and let it come to temp. Listen for the infamous tick. I’ve seen them trying to be sold with the tick 😅

Wranglers are definitely not for everyone thats for sure. Most people buy them for just the cool factor of it and thats when the cheap mods get added, just to look cool. My last trail outing winter run, I was going up a hill and couldnt make it so I slid back wards the guy behind me didnt stop at the bottom of the hill so i ended up distroying his amazon bumper 😂😂 Before the run started he was proud to have gotten it and it was a day old lol his happeness didn't last though 😂😂, i did end up paying him to have it replaced by a better bumper

What about mileage standards? What should I look for mileage wise?

Just buy a jeep in the color you like. Everything else can be fixed. You don’t need to shop around too much 👍

I thought Jeep oil leaks were just a factory feature 😄

On the black Jeep that was heavily modified…. Are those led headlights?

I’m watching this in November 2022. In my area of Oklahoma I’m seeing a lot of used Wranglers and Gladiators from 2020. Is there a particular problem with the 2020 models that I should be looking for?

Starting at 8:35, that blue JKU has some accessory bolted to the rear door hinges. What is it?

I want an old used jeep so bad but i know nothing about the technical stuff!!! It scares me! I dont want it breaking down and i have no extra money to fix anything that goes wrong. But i have a dog now and in need of a car now and i wish i could get a wrangler so badly.

Honestly CarFax means very little. I was in an major accident, I got car fixed out of pocket and it was never reported. Car Fax pulls from reports that are filed. If a report is never filed, no one ever knows