Free Buyer’s Guide

2011 Holden Barina

A simple guide for buyers with no car knowledge. Do most of the work from home, on the phone. Only go and see the car if you like what you hear. The decision is always yours.

The free guide is below. The full guide is made for this car after you pay.

Which 2011 Barina is it?

The TM hatch came out in the last three months of 2011. The sedan came in 2012. A 2011 car may be either one. Check the compliance plate and the logbook.

Ask the seller: "Is this the older TK Barina or the newer TM Barina, and what does the compliance plate say?"

Safety rating

• TM Barina (hatch from late 2011, sedan from 2012)5 stars (Score not shown on the page we read)

As published by ANCAP. Older ratings, tested to easier standards than today’s.

The big-money items

You can’t see inside these parts, but you can ask about them.

• Automatic gearbox AUTOMATIC CARS. TM CARS ARE THE GF6/6T40 AUTOMATIC. TK AUTOMATICS TOO.

  $$$ (over $2,000)

  The gearbox that changes gears for you. Owners report slipping and missing gears on some cars.

  Ask: "Does the automatic change gears smoothly, and has the gearbox ever been repaired or replaced?"

• Timing belt and water pump F16D3 (TK) AND F16D4 (TM) 1.6L PETROL ENGINES

  $$ ($500 to $2,000)

  A rubber belt that keeps engine parts in time. On the TK, a snapped belt can wreck the engine.

  Ask: "Can I see proof the timing belt was changed, with the date and kilometres?"

• Engine top-end parts F16D3 (TK) 1.6L PETROL ENGINE

  $$ ($500 to $2,000)

  Carbon build-up on the exhaust valves. Two sensors can also fail: the throttle position sensor and the camshaft position sensor.

  Ask: "Has the engine had any sensor repairs, or been rough at idle or hesitant when you press the pedal?"

• Plastic thermostat housing F16D3 (TK) 1.6L PETROL ENGINE

  $ (under $500)

  The plastic part that controls engine temperature. It can crack and leak coolant.

  Ask: "Has the engine ever lost coolant, and has the thermostat housing been replaced?"

• ABS reluctor rings TK BARINA

  $ (under $500)

  Toothed rings that help the ABS (anti-lock brakes) read wheel speed. They can crack.

  Ask: "Has the ABS light ever come on, and have the wheel speed parts been replaced?"

Regular maintenance

Look for these on the service invoices.

• Engine oil

  Oil that keeps the engine parts moving smoothly

  As shown in the logbook

• Spark plugs

  They make the spark that starts the fuel burning

  As shown in the logbook

• Brake fluid

  The liquid that carries your foot push to the brakes

  Every 2 years (our guide)

• Coolant

  The liquid that keeps the engine from getting too hot

  As shown in the logbook

• Gearbox oil

  Oil inside the gearbox that keeps the parts moving smoothly

  As shown in the logbook

• Air filter

  It cleans the air going into the engine

  As shown in the logbook

• Tyres

  The only part of the car that touches the road

  Replace at 6 years old, even with good tread (our guide). Alignment every 10,000 to 15,000 km (our guide)

• Battery

  It gives the power to start the engine

  Most last about 3 to 5 years

Questions to ask on this Barina

These are for this model. The full list of questions, with tick boxes, is in the PDF.

• "Do you have proof the timing belt was changed, with the date and kilometres?"

  Good answer: Yes. There is a receipt or a logbook stamp that shows the date and kilometres.

  Why: The belt keeps the engine in time, so it helps to know when it was last done.

• "Does the automatic change gears smoothly, and has the gearbox ever been repaired?"

  Good answer: It changes smoothly, goes into reverse at once, and any repair has a receipt.

  Why: Gearbox work can cost a lot, so a clear history helps.

• "Has the engine ever overheated or lost coolant?"

  Good answer: No. The coolant level has stayed steady, and any cooling repair is on paper.

  Why: Some plastic cooling parts on these cars can crack and leak.

Words you might see on an invoice

Timing belt kit

A rubber belt that keeps engine parts in time, sold with its tensioner.

Water pump

It moves coolant around the engine. It is often replaced with the belt.

Thermostat housing

The plastic part that controls engine temperature. It can crack.

Throttle position sensor

It tells the computer how far the pedal is pressed.

Camshaft position sensor

It tells the computer where the engine's timing is.

Reluctor ring or wheel speed sensor

Parts of the ABS brake system that read wheel speed.

Two quick checks at home

All you need is the VIN.

• Recalls: vehiclerecalls.gov.au
• Money owing: ppsr.gov.au (small fee; check again on the day you pay)

• The PPSR search at ppsr.gov.au costs $2.
• It may show if the car is recorded as stolen or written off.
• It does not show the amount owing, the odometer reading or unpaid fines.

General information only, not an inspection of any vehicle. “Our guide” means our recommendation, not a legal rule. Costs are a rough guide. Information current at October 2026: always check the VIN yourself.