Free Buyer’s Guide

2020 Toyota Premio

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 2020 Premio is it?

The 2.0L engine stopped in July 2020, so check the build date. One page calls the 1.8L engine 2ZR-FE and another calls it 2ZR-FAE. The plate and paperwork show which one this car has.

Ask the seller: "Can I see the chassis plate, so I can check the engine code and the drive type?"

Safety rating

We found no ANCAP rating for this car. It was sold new only in Japan. Do not use a rating from another model. Japanese specifications list stability control, ABS (anti-lock brakes), and driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags. They also list Toyota Safety Sense, which uses a radar and a camera. The page did not say if every grade has these in 2020. Check what is fitted to the car you are looking at.

The big-money items

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

• CVT gearbox repair or replacement CVT AUTOMATIC GEARBOX, FITTED WITH ALL THREE ENGINES

  $$$ (over $2,000)

  A CVT is an automatic gearbox with no fixed gears. Owners online talk about shudder and overheating, and about using the right fluid.

  Ask: "When was the CVT fluid last changed, and which fluid was used?"

• Timing chain and tensioner 1NZ-FE AND 2ZR-FAE ENGINES

  $$$ (over $2,000)

  The timing chain links the top and bottom of the engine. On these engines it can stretch and rattle at high kilometres.

  Ask: "Does the engine make any chain rattle on a cold start?"

• Engine oil use 1NZ-FE AND 2ZR-FAE ENGINES

  $$$ (over $2,000)

  Some of these engines use oil between services. Worn piston rings or valve seals can be the cause.

  Ask: "How much oil does it use between services?"

• Water pump 2ZR-FAE ENGINE

  $$ ($500 to $2,000)

  The water pump pushes coolant round the engine. One engine page lists the pump as a weak point.

  Ask: "Has the water pump or coolant been replaced? Do you have the invoice?"

Regular maintenance

Look for these on the service invoices.

• Engine oil

  Fresh oil and a new oil filter keep the engine clean and cool.

  As shown in the logbook

• Spark plugs

  They light the fuel in each cylinder. Worn plugs can cause a rough run.

  As shown in the logbook

• Brake fluid

  The fluid in the brake lines soaks up water over time.

  Every 2 years (our guide)

• Coolant

  It keeps the engine from getting too hot.

  As shown in the logbook

• Gearbox oil

  This is the CVT fluid. Ask which fluid was used at each change.

  As shown in the logbook

• Air filter

  It cleans the air going into the engine.

  As shown in the logbook

• Tyres

  Old rubber hardens. Check the date code on the side of each tyre.

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

• Battery

  It starts the car. Ask how old it is.

  Most last about 3 to 5 years

Questions to ask on this Premio

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

• When was the CVT fluid last changed, and which fluid was used?

  Good answer: A date, the kilometres at the time, and an invoice naming a Toyota CVT fluid.

  Why: Forum posts say the right fluid matters for this gearbox.

• How much oil does the car use between services?

  Good answer: Very little, and the seller can show regular oil change records.

  Why: Oil use is the engine issue most often listed for these engines.

• What engine code and drive type are on the chassis plate?

  Good answer: A clear answer that matches the paperwork, such as NZT260, ZRT260 or ZRT261.

  Why: The listings alone cannot tell the engines apart, so the plate settles it.

Words you might see on an invoice

CVT fluid service

The oil in the automatic gearbox is drained and replaced.

Timing chain

The chain that links the engine's moving parts. If it fails, the engine can be badly damaged.

Valve stem seals

Small seals in the engine. Worn ones let oil burn.

Throttle body clean

Dirt is cleaned from the part that lets air into the engine. It can fix a rough idle.

Water pump

The part that pushes coolant round the engine.

VVT actuator

A part that adjusts valve timing. It can rattle on a cold start.

Two quick checks at home

All you need is the chassis number.

• Recalls: toyota.com.au/toyota-recalls
• Recalls: toyota.jp/recall (in Japanese; a browser can translate it)
• Recalls: vehiclerecalls.gov.au
• Money owing: ppsr.gov.au (small fee; check again on the day you pay)

• The PPSR search costs about $2 and uses the chassis number.
• Write-off and stolen details are not always complete or up to date.

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 chassis number yourself.