Buying a Used GWM Tank 300: What to Check

The Tank 300 changed how a lot of people think about Chinese-built cars. It looks great, it is a genuine four-wheel drive, and it comes with a lot of equipment for the money. Used ones are now coming onto the market, and they deserve the same careful checks as any other 4WD.

The basics

The Tank 300 is a body-on-frame four-wheel drive with low range. In Australia it was launched with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine making 162 kW and 380 Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic. A petrol-electric hybrid followed, and a turbo-diesel was added later. Confirm exactly which engine the car you are looking at has, because they drive quite differently.

Know what the grade includes

The top Ultra grade adds more off-road and comfort equipment than the entry Lux. Check the features on the car itself, rather than relying on the advertisement. Test the off-road modes and differential locks if the seller allows it, and make sure the warning lights behave as they should.

Off-road and towing history

Some Tanks are used as stylish city cars. Others go bush every weekend. Look underneath for scrapes and dents, check for sand and salt, and look closely for corrosion if the car has been on the beach. If there is a towbar, ask what has been towed and how often.

Warranty and recalls

GWM offers a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty on new cars, so a late-model Tank 300 may still have years of cover left. Confirm the start date and that the warranty transfers to you. Check the VIN on the Australian Government’s vehicle recall register too, and make sure any recall or software update has been done.

Service history and the usual checks

Servicing on time matters for the warranty, so ask for the records. Run a PPSR check and take a proper test drive on different roads.

Our Tank 300

We currently have a 2023 GWM Tank 300 Ultra petrol in our West End showroom. You can see it at the end of this article, and read how we select used cars.

Quick answers

What engine does the GWM Tank 300 petrol have?

A 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine making 162 kW and 380 Nm, with an eight-speed automatic.

Is the Tank 300 a real four-wheel drive?

Yes. It is body-on-frame with a low-range four-wheel-drive system.

What warranty does the GWM Tank 300 have?

GWM offers seven years with unlimited kilometres on new cars. On a used car, check what is left and that it transfers.

Is a used Tank 300 a good buy?

It can be good value, as long as the car has been serviced, recall work has been done and it has not been abused off-road.

Looking for a 4WD in Brisbane?

See our current cars, book a test drive, or ask our vehicle sourcing service to find the right one.