Used GAZ 24

What to know before buying: GAZ 24

From 4 forum threads and 1 press test · updated 12/10/2026

What the reviews say

• The GAZ-24 has a spacious cabin and a very large boot, but its controls feel heavy by modern standards.[3][4]
• Owner experiences differ: one calls upkeep difficult, while a former GAZ-24 owner says it was not especially costly or troublesome.[1]one source
• Forum owners frame the GAZ-24 as an enthusiast or second car; a cheap, rusty example may demand regular attention and major spending.[4]one source

Typical faults

• Two 1978 project cars had corrosion in the floor, boot, behind the rear wheels, in a sill and around the lamps; some rust was hidden beneath coatings.[2][5]

  1978–1978

• Damaged door seals on one 1978 car admitted water, leaving the floor and boot wet while the floor was already beginning to rust.[2]one source

  1978–1978

• Both 1978 projects had brake faults: one had inoperative rear brakes and fluid loss; the other had a leaking master cylinder and a hissing servo.[2][5]

  1978–1978

• Cooling-system faults were reported: drain taps failed to seal on one car, while another had a leaking, noisy water pump and ageing hoses needing replacement.[2][5]

  1978–1978

• One car had a warped carburettor base that impeded cold starting; another had a failed carburettor accelerator pump after prolonged storage.[2][5]

  1978–1978

Which engine and version to take

• The base GAZ-24 used a 2.4-litre 95 hp engine; taxis had an 85 hp low-compression version. One replacement engine dated around 1982/83 reportedly ran well at roughly 23,000 km.[2][3]

What to check at the inspection

• Lift the cabin and boot mats to look for water, floor corrosion and dampness, and inspect the door seals.[2]one source
• Inspect behind both rear wheels, the sills, the area by the front door and paint around the lamps; coatings may conceal rust.[2][5]
• Verify that every brake works, check for fluid leaks and an abnormally hard pedal, and listen for hissing from the brake servo.[2][5]
• Start the engine from cold and test the carburettor, including its accelerator pump; the sources report difficult cold starting and pump failure.[2][5]
• Check the cooling-system taps, hoses and water pump for leaks, and listen for noise as the pump turns.[2][5]
• Prefer a running, rust-free, sorted car; forum owners advise avoiding examples left standing for years or cheap, heavily worn cars.[4]one source

Verdict

Sources

1. [1]gaz-24.com — Посоветуйте брать газ 24 или нет? - Страница 14 · forum
2. [2]forum.automoto.ee — GAZ 24 1978 - automoto.ee foorumid · forum
3. [3]forum.allgaz.ru — ГАЗ-24 "Волга" · forum
4. [4]gaz-24.com — Посоветуйте брать газ 24 или нет? - Клуб владельцев ... · forum
5. [5]classiccar-bg.com — "Волга" ГАЗ 24 - 1978 г. · press

Spotted an error? Tell us