Leaks

Oil and fluid leaks on a used car · what to check

Almost every older car weeps somewhere. The question is whether it is a seal you can live with or the first sign of a strip-down.

Quick answer

Leaks appears as a documented fault on 209 models in our library, across 303 separate faults. The most common areas involved are Engine, Suspension, Cooling System, Cooling, Body, Drivetrain.

What it usually means

  • Wet film around the rocker cover · usually a gasket, and one of the cheaper jobs.
  • Oil at the back of the engine · could be the rear main seal, which means gearbox out.
  • Pink or orange staining · coolant, not oil.
  • Red or brown fluid under the gearbox · automatic transmission fluid, and rarely cheap.

How to check it on the forecourt

  1. 01Look at the ground where the car has been parked, not just at the engine.
  2. 02Take a torch and check the underside with the engine warm.
  3. 03Check the oil level and colour, then the coolant and gearbox fluid where accessible.
  4. 04A suspiciously steam-cleaned engine bay on an older car deserves a second look.

Models where this is documented

Each entry links to that model's full fault page, with onset mileage, severity and what to inspect.

BMW X52014–20184 matching faults
  • Coolant leaks from the expansion tank / hoses.· 70,000+ miles
  • Oil-filter-housing gasket leak.· 70,000+ miles
  • Optional air suspension wear / leaks.· 80,000+ miles
Lexus RX2010–20154 matching faults
  • Oil-supply line / VVT hose seepage on some cars.· Age-related
  • Water pump seepage.· 90,000+ miles
  • Knocking noise from the rear over bumps or visible fluid weeping from the damper body.· 70,000-100,000 miles
Nissan Frontier2005–20194 matching faults
  • Erratic or dead fuel gauge, often triggering a P0463 fault code.· 60,000-100,000 miles
  • Sudden coolant loss and overheating due to brittle plastic heater hose connectors snapping.· 70,000+ miles or 8+ years
  • Differential fluid leaking onto the rear brake assemblies, causing poor handbrake performance and a strong gear oil smell.· 80,000-120,000 miles
BMW 5 Series2011–20163 matching faults
  • Valve-cover and oil-filter-housing gasket leaks.· 70,000+ miles
  • Steering wheel vibration or shimmy under light braking at 40-50 mph.· 50,000-70,000 miles
  • Rough idle, hesitation under light acceleration, or unexplained coolant loss without visible external leaks.· 60,000-80,000 miles
Cadillac Escalade2015–20203 matching faults
  • Magnetic Ride Control shock leaks and air-ride faults.· 70,000+ miles
  • A/C condenser weld failure causing refrigerant leak and warm air from vents.· 40,000-70,000 miles
  • Sheared exhaust manifold bolts causing a noticeable exhaust leak and ticking noise.· 60,000-100,000 miles
Chevrolet Cruze2011–20193 matching faults
  • 1.4T coolant leaks (thermostat housing, water outlet, hoses) and overheating.· 60,000+ miles
  • PCV/valve cover diaphragm failure causing rough running and oil loss.· 70,000+ miles
  • Oil mixing with coolant or a strong smell of burning oil from the engine bay.· 60,000-100,000 miles
Ford Bronco2021–20243 matching faults
  • Hardtop delamination and roof squeaks/leaks.· Any
  • Gear oil leaking from the front CV axle seals where the half-shafts enter the front differential housing.· 15,000-40,000 miles
  • Coolant loss and overheating on 2.3L EcoBoost models due to premature water pump failure or weeping seals.· 30,000-50,000 miles
Ford Mustang2015–20233 matching faults
  • 5.0L Coyote oil-pan gasket seepage.· 60,000+ miles
  • Complete loss of air conditioning cooling due to a leaking evaporator core, often accompanied by a faint chemical smell in the cabin.· 30,000-60,000 miles
  • Coolant leaking into the cylinders causing rough idling, misfires on cold start, and unexplained coolant loss.· 40,000-70,000 miles
Jaguar F-Type2013–20243 matching faults
  • Convertible roof mechanism and drain blockages causing leaks· Age-related
  • Adaptive damper leaks on sports-suspension cars· 60,000+ miles
  • Rear differential pinion seal leaks fluid, potentially leading to differential whining or premature failure if run dry.· 30,000-50,000 miles
Land Rover Defender2020–20253 matching faults
  • Air suspension leaks and compressor faults· 50,000+ miles
  • Leaks around the roof and rear door seals· Age-related
  • Coolant loss and sweet smell from the engine bay due to water pump or EGR cooler failure on Ingenium engines.· 30,000-50,000 miles
Porsche Macan2014–20243 matching faults
  • Air suspension compressor and strut leaks on equipped cars· 70,000+ miles
  • Coolant pipe and water pump leaks on V6 petrols· 60,000+ miles
  • Oil weeping from the timing chain cover due to sheared aluminium mounting bolts on V6 petrol models.· 40,000-70,000 miles
Subaru WRX2015–20213 matching faults
  • FA20 turbo ringland/bearing failure if abused or over-tuned.· Any
  • Turbo oil-feed and cooling issues on tracked cars.· Any
  • Hissing noise under load and sluggish acceleration caused by the factory plastic charge pipe cracking and leaking boost.· 50,000-70,000 miles
Toyota Avalon2013–20183 matching faults
  • Water pump seepage.· 80,000+ miles
  • Oil weeping from the timing chain cover.· 70,000-100,000 miles
  • Knocking over bumps and poor damping due to leaking front struts.· 50,000-80,000 miles
Acura MDX2014–20202 matching faults
  • Knocking or clunking noise from the front end over bumps; visible fluid weeping from the shock absorbers.· 50,000-80,000 miles
  • Check engine light illuminated with EVAP leak fault codes, occasionally a faint smell of petrol near the rear wing.· 40,000-70,000 miles
Alfa Romeo Stelvio2017–20252 matching faults
  • Turbo petrol carbon build-up and minor oil leaks· 60,000+ miles
  • Coolant leaks from the radiator seams or lower hoses, leading to low coolant warnings and potential overheating.· 40,000-60,000 miles
Audi A42009–20162 matching faults
  • Water pump and thermostat (plastic) failure.· 70,000+ miles
  • Clunking noises over bumps and vague steering feel caused by torn lower control arm bushes.· 50,000-70,000 miles
Audi A62014–20252 matching faults
  • Air suspension on Avant models leaking and dropping· 80,000+ miles
  • Thermostat housing and water pump leaks on V6 engines· 50,000-80,000 miles
Audi A72011–20182 matching faults
  • Air suspension leaks leaving the car sitting low overnight· 70,000+ miles
  • Coolant or oil pooling in the engine 'V' due to leaking oil cooler or EGR cooler seals on 3.0 TDI models.· 70,000-100,000 miles
Audi A82010–20172 matching faults
  • Air suspension compressor and strut leaks causing sagging ride height· 70,000+ miles
  • Coolant leaks from plastic pipe connectors and water pump· 70,000+ miles
Audi Q52013–20172 matching faults
  • Water pump / thermostat module failure.· 80,000+ miles
  • Sunroof drain blockage causing leaks.· Age-related
BMW 2 Series2014–20252 matching faults
  • Unexplained coolant loss and white residue around the expansion tank due to split seams or faulty caps on B48 and B58 engines.· 40,000-60,000 miles
  • Oil leaking from the oil filter housing gasket (OFHG), which can drip onto the auxiliary drive belt and cause catastrophic engine failure if the belt snaps.· 60,000-80,000 miles
BMW 3 Series2012–20182 matching faults
  • Oil filter housing gasket and valve cover gasket oil leaks.· 60,000+ miles
  • Sudden loss of power, loud popping noise under boost, and a 'Drivetrain Malfunction' warning due to the factory plastic charge pipe splitting.· 50,000-80,000 miles
BMW 4 Series2014–20252 matching faults
  • Coolant loss and overheating due to a failing expansion tank or water pump on B-series engines.· 40,000-70,000 miles
  • Oil leaking from the oil filter housing gasket (OFHG), which can drip onto the auxiliary belt and cause catastrophic engine failure if ingested.· 60,000-80,000 miles
BMW i42021–20252 matching faults
  • Bush and damper wear from kerb weight· 50,000+ miles
  • High-voltage system coolant leaks at the heat exchanger or Combined Charging Unit (CCU).· 15,000-40,000 miles
BMW X32011–20172 matching faults
  • Oil-filter-housing and valve-cover gasket leaks.· 70,000+ miles
  • Unexplained coolant loss, hesitation under light acceleration, or drivetrain malfunction warnings due to EGR cooler internal leaks.· 50,000-80,000 miles
BMW X62014–20192 matching faults
  • Air suspension compressor and airbag leaks causing sagging rear ride height· 60,000+ miles
  • Unexplained coolant loss without visible external leaks, often accompanied by an engine management light or rough idling due to EGR cooler failure on diesel models.· 40,000-70,000 miles
Chevrolet Equinox2010–20172 matching faults
  • Massive oil leak from the rear main seal, caused by a blocked PCV orifice in the intake manifold freezing in cold weather.· 60,000-90,000 miles
  • Windscreen wipers fail suddenly or move erratically due to corroded and separated ball joints in the wiper transmission linkage.· 5-8 years
Dacia Duster2013–20252 matching faults
  • Fuel gauge displaying incorrect levels or fluctuating erratically.· 40,000-70,000 miles
  • Air conditioning blows warm air due to a holed condenser.· 30,000-60,000 miles
Fiat Punto2005–20182 matching faults
  • Oil weeping or dripping from the bottom of the engine due to a heavily corroded mild steel sump pan on 1.2 and 1.4 FIRE engines.· 8-12 years
  • Damp front passenger footwell carpets and a sweet smell in the cabin caused by a leaking heater matrix.· 7-10 years
Ford Bronco Sport2021–20242 matching faults
  • Rear window/wiper and seal leaks.· Any
  • Coolant leaks from the water pump housing on 1.5L EcoBoost engines, leading to low coolant levels and potential overheating.· 30,000-50,000 miles
Ford Edge2015–20232 matching faults
  • 2.0 EcoBoost coolant intrusion into cylinders.· 70,000+ miles
  • Door latch and panoramic roof leaks.· Age-related
Ford Escape2013–20192 matching faults
  • 1.5L EcoBoost internal coolant leak.· 70,000+ miles
  • Whining noise under acceleration or tight cornering; dark gear oil leaking behind the engine.· 60,000-90,000 miles
Ford Expedition2018–20232 matching faults
  • Oil leak from the engine sump due to failure of the factory plastic oil pan seal (highly common on 2018-2019 models).· 40,000-70,000 miles
  • Knocking over bumps or poor ride quality caused by prematurely leaking Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) shock absorbers.· 50,000-80,000 miles
Ford Explorer2016–20192 matching faults
  • Power transfer unit (PTU) overheating/failure on AWD models.· 70,000+ miles
  • Internal water pump on the 3.5L NA V6 (behind the timing cover).· 90,000+ miles
Ford F-1502015–20202 matching faults
  • 3.5L EcoBoost internal water pump — a failure can leak coolant into the engine.· 80,000+ miles
  • Twin-panel panoramic sunroof tracks cracking, leading to jamming or water leaks.· 40,000-70,000 miles
Ford Fiesta2013–20232 matching faults
  • Coolant loss / overheating on early 1.0 EcoBoost (degas hose and cylinder head)· 50,000+ miles
  • Engine misfire, hesitation under load, or an illuminated EML caused by water leaking through the bonnet washer jets into the spark plug wells.· 40,000-70,000 miles
Ford Fusion2013–20192 matching faults
  • 1.5L/1.6L EcoBoost internal coolant leak / overheating.· 70,000+ miles
  • Burning oil smell or whining noise from the front axle on AWD models.· 60,000-90,000 miles
Honda Civic2016–20212 matching faults
  • Cracked block on some early 2016 1.5T engines (subject to warranty extension).· Early miles
  • AC condenser failure / refrigerant leaks.· 40,000+ miles
Hyundai Palisade2020–20242 matching faults
  • Knocking noise from the rear over bumps and visible sagging due to failed self-levelling rear dampers.· 40,000-70,000 miles
  • Windscreen wiper motor failure or severe linkage judder, occasionally stopping mid-sweep.· 30,000-50,000 miles
Jaguar XE2015–20242 matching faults
  • Coolant loss and overheating due to cracked plastic water pump or thermostat housings.· 40,000-70,000 miles
  • Premature wear of the rear differential pinion seals causing fluid leaks and eventual bearing whine.· 50,000-80,000 miles

Showing the 40 models with the most documented matches · browse the full library.

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