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Buying guide

Toyota Hilux 8th gen (2015 to now): buying guide, problems and NZ numbers

The Toyota Hilux 8th gen has been built since 2015 as a ute, with a manual or automatic gearbox, rear wheel drive or four wheel drive and diesel or petrol power. Chassis codes: GUN125, GUN126, GUN136 and TGN121. Redline has a curated guide to its 6 most reported weak points, from owner club and specialist sources.

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Key facts

Years
2015 to now
Chassis codes
GUN125, GUN126, GUN136, TGN121
Body types
Ute
Gearboxes
Manual, Automatic
Drive
RWD (rear wheel drive), 4WD (four wheel drive)
Fuel
Diesel, Petrol

On NZ roads

Counting every one on the NZ register. The first look can take up to 15 seconds.

Known weak points

Curated by Redline from owner club and specialist sources Commonly reported by owners and specialists for the Toyota Hilux N80 (2015 to present). Not every car has these; check this one.

  1. Diesel particulate filter (DPF)

    The 2.8 and 2.4 diesels supplied from late 2015 to April 2020 had a DPF system that could block, causing foul smelling white smoke, higher fuel use and limp home mode, mainly on trucks used for short trips.

    Where to look
    The DPF warning light on the dash, the exhaust tailpipe, and the dealer records for the DPF update
    How to test
    Watch the exhaust from cold and under load for white smoke and smell for a strong odour. Ask whether the updated exhaust hardware and software from 2020 has been fitted, and have a Toyota dealer check the VIN.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    High cost DPF replacement if it has not been updated

    Sources: carexpert.com.au (opens in a new tab), drivencarguide.co.nz (opens in a new tab)

  2. Manual DPF regeneration switch

    A manual DPF regeneration switch became standard from June 2018. The system is still fully automatic.

    Where to look
    The dash switch panel to the right of the steering wheel
    How to test
    Check whether the switch is fitted and ask how the truck has been used. Lots of short trips is the use pattern linked to blocked filters.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Low cost no repair needed

    Sources: carexpert.com.au (opens in a new tab), drivencarguide.co.nz (opens in a new tab)

  3. Rear leaf springs and ride

    Toyota changed the suspension in 2017, in particular the rear leaf springs, after complaints about the ride. Extreme lift kits are reported to raise rollover risk.

    Where to look
    The rear leaf springs and shackles, and any lift kit
    How to test
    Look at how the rear sits unladen and laden. Drive over rough road and judge the ride. Ask for lift kit paperwork.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost springs and fitting, or undoing a bad lift

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  4. Air filter and limp mode

    Dust bypassing the air filter on diesels can trick the engine sensors into limp home mode, and the ECU then has to be reset.

    Where to look
    The air filter box on the side of the engine bay and its seals
    How to test
    Open the airbox and look for dust on the clean side of the filter. Ask whether the truck has gone into limp mode.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Low cost a filter and a reset

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  5. Underbody and tray

    Off road and work use leave crushed exhausts, torn CV boots, chassis damage and tray dents that let rust in under a bed liner.

    Where to look
    The chassis rails, exhaust and tray floor, including under any bed liner
    How to test
    Look under the truck with a torch and ask for the bed liner to be lifted.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost depends on the damage

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  6. Brake booster recall (some 2018 trucks)

    A brake booster assembly moulding issue was the subject of a recall on some 2018 vehicles.

    Where to look
    The recall record for the VIN
    How to test
    Have a Toyota dealer confirm the recall has been done.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Low cost recall work is free at a dealer

    Sources: drivencarguide.co.nz (opens in a new tab)

General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection. Researched 1 November 2026.

What the cost bands mean
  • Low: a small job. Typically a few hundred dollars or less at an NZ workshop, often a DIY fix.
  • Medium: a proper workshop job. Typically several hundred to a couple of thousand dollars.
  • High: a major job. Typically several thousand dollars or more, enough to change what the car is worth.

Service items

Questions to ask the seller

  • Has the DPF update from Toyota been done, and is it on the dealer record?
  • Has it had DPF warnings, white smoke or limp mode?
  • Has it mostly done short trips or open road running?
  • Is the suspension standard, and is there LVVTA paperwork for any lift?
  • Have all recalls been completed?

New Zealand notes

  • Toyota NZ developed a DPF retrofit and was proactive on the problem; check whether this truck has the new setup.
  • Hiluxes hold their value well in NZ, so a cheap one deserves a close look at its history.

An N80 suits a buyer who wants a modern, well supported work or family ute and can confirm the DPF update.

US recalls

Looking up US recall data.

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