Eight cars, one week, cuts of up to 41%

A 2007 Toyota RAV4 CV listed by Logans Cheapest Cars in Loganholme, QLD has had its price slashed by $2,105 — a 41% reduction — bringing the asking price down to $3,040. That is the sharpest percentage cut tracked across Australian listing sites this week, and it is not an isolated event. Seven other vehicles across five states recorded double-digit drops over the same period, with dollar reductions ranging from $1,000 to $4,168.

Price cuts of this magnitude rarely appear without a reason. Dealers who reprice aggressively mid-campaign are typically responding to one or more of the following: stock that has sat beyond their preferred turn cycle (usually 45–60 days for independents), pressure on yard space from fresh trade-ins, soft retail demand in a specific segment, or a car that has failed to attract interest because of a known issue that a savvy buyer should investigate before committing.

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This week's biggest drops

#	Year / Make / Model	Location	Was	Now	Drop	%
1	2007 Toyota RAV4 CV	Loganholme QLD	$5,145	$3,040	$2,105	41%
2	2009 Subaru Forester X	Victoria Park WA	$9,980	$6,980	$3,000	30%
3	2004 Mazda 3 SP23	North St Marys NSW	$5,500	$3,999	$1,501	27%
4	2013 Mitsubishi Outlander LS (4×4)	Mornington VIC	$14,990	$10,990	$4,000	27%
5	2005 Hyundai Tucson Elite	Penrith NSW	$3,995	$2,995	$1,000	25%
6	2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander CRDi (4×4)	Mawson Lakes SA	$11,790	$8,990	$2,800	24%
7	2013 Volkswagen Tiguan 132TSI	Osborne Park WA	$12,888	$9,990	$2,898	22%
8	2015 Mitsubishi Triton GLX	Coburg North VIC	$19,788	$15,620	$4,168	21%

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Car by car

2007 Toyota RAV4 CV — $3,040 (Loganholme, QLD)

At $3,040, this third-generation RAV4 (XA30 series) is priced at the floor of what a registered, running SUV typically fetches in the current market. The CV is the base grade — no leather, no sunroof — but the 2AZ-FE 2.4-litre four-cylinder is a known unit that also appeared across the contemporary Camry and Tarago ranges. That familiarity is a double-edged sword: the post-2006 version of the 2AZ-FE fitted to this car has a documented history of excessive oil consumption, so checking the oil level at the dipstick before and after a test drive is a non-negotiable step. Rust on the rear wheel arches and worn CV boots are the next things to inspect. A PPSR check is essential on any car under $5,000.

2009 Subaru Forester X — $6,980 (Victoria Park, WA)

3MT True Value Auto has cut this SH-series Forester by $3,000. Buyers who assume the naturally aspirated EJ253 2.5-litre escapes Subaru's head gasket reputation should check again: the EJ253 is specifically identified as one of the most susceptible engines to head gasket problems within the EJ family, due to its composite-style head gaskets. The issue manifests primarily as an external oil or coolant seep rather than a catastrophic internal failure, but left unattended it can escalate. Verify coolant condition, check for oil weeping at the gasket seam, and ask for evidence of any prior head gasket work. At $6,980 from a dealer, the buyer retains statutory warranty rights under Australian Consumer Law — a meaningful protection at this age and price.

2004 Mazda 3 SP23 — $3,999 (North St Marys, NSW)

This is a private sale, which means no statutory warranty. The SP23 was the performance-leaning variant of the first-generation BK Mazda 3, using a 2.3-litre four-cylinder producing 115 kW at 6,500 rpm and 203 Nm. Two check points confirmed by Mazda's own service advisories and the used-car press: listen at idle for timing chain tensioner rattle (a metallic ticking from the front of the engine), and check power steering response for inconsistency — both are documented issues on BK-series cars. The $1,501 reduction to $3,999 from a private seller suggests either urgency to sell or a prior issue at inspection that deterred the previous interested buyer.

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander LS (4×4) — $10,990 (Mornington, VIC)

A $4,000 cut on a ZJ-series Outlander. The 4WD LS uses a 2.4-litre petrol engine (124 kW/220 Nm) paired with a CVT transmission, driving through Mitsubishi's AWD system, which cycles through ECO, AUTO and LOCK modes via a dashboard button — not the more complex Super Select system found in the Pajero and Triton. CVT fluid condition matters at this age — if the transmission fluid has never been changed, factor in the cost of a service. Air conditioning and infotainment faults are also frequently cited on this generation. At $10,990, this is competitive for a seven-seat capable SUV with AWD capability.

2005 Hyundai Tucson Elite — $2,995 (Penrith, NSW)

Another private sale, now under $3,000. The JM Tucson Elite carried a 2.7-litre V6 in this configuration, which returns poorer fuel economy than the four-cylinder variant — a relevant consideration for a daily driver. This is a high-age, low-price purchase where a pre-purchase mechanical inspection will cost roughly 10–15% of the car's value. That spend is justified.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander CRDi (4×4) — $8,990 (Mawson Lakes, SA)

The DM-series Santa Fe Highlander CRDi is a diesel seven-seater, and $8,990 is a price that reflects the current softness in older diesel SUV demand. The R-series 2.2-litre diesel is generally durable, but injector and EGR valve maintenance histories are worth requesting. A $2,800 cut from a private seller on a diesel family SUV warrants a specific question: has it passed a recent emissions test or roadworthy?

2013 Volkswagen Tiguan 132TSI — $9,990 (Osborne Park, WA)

Used Cars WA has trimmed $2,898 from the price of this 5N-series Tiguan. The 132TSI badge denotes the engine's power output: it is the 2.0-litre turbocharged TSI four-cylinder producing 132 kW and 280 Nm — not a 1.4-litre unit, which is the lower-output 118TSI variant in the same range. The 2.0 TSI is a willing engine but has a documented history of timing chain tensioner wear and carbon build-up on the intake valves (a consequence of direct injection bypassing the inlet ports). Service records are critical here — specifically whether the timing chain has been attended to. At $9,990 from a dealer, there is still room to negotiate, particularly if the car has been sitting.

2015 Mitsubishi Triton GLX — $15,620 (Coburg North, VIC)

M.A.W Motor Group has cut $4,168 from this MQ-series Triton. The GLX is the entry-grade work ute without the lifestyle trim of higher variants, which typically means it has lived a working life. Tray condition, towbar wear, and diff/transfer case service history are the priority checks. At $15,620, it is competing directly with higher-kilometre GLS variants — compare carefully before committing.

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What to do when you see a big cut

A price reduction is a signal, not a guarantee of value. The correct response is:

• Move promptly — repriced stock that represents genuine value tends to sell within days of the cut
• Negotiate further — a seller who has already dropped the price once has demonstrated flexibility; a reasonable further offer is rarely refused
• Run a PPSR check before any inspection to confirm the vehicle is not stolen, written off, or carrying finance — the check costs $2 and is available directly at ppsr.gov.au
• Book an independent inspection — for any car over $5,000, a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic (not the selling dealer's recommended service centre) is the most cost-effective due diligence available

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How to find these yourself

The price drops above were identified by tracking listing changes across CarsGuide and Drive over a rolling seven-day window. You can monitor Australian used-car price drops across all makes, models and states at car-scout.com.au/price-drops, where the tool updates continuously and allows filtering by state, price range and category — at no cost.