The search for MAX phase synthesis methods that allow good energy efficiency and phase purity remainsongoing. In this work, high energy ball milling and pressureless spark plasma sintering were used to synthesizeternary and quaternary MAX phases from Ti/Nb/V/Cr-Al-C system in a powder form. The powders weredensified in a separate spark plasma sintering process. Synthesized powders and bulks structure were studiedusing scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. Chemical composition was determined using energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy and carbon and oxygen analyzers. Thermal oxidation and mechanical propertieswere assessed using thermogravimetry and nanoindentation. The high energy ball milling and pressureless sparkplasma sintering route allowed fabrication of both ternary and quaternary MAX phase systems, except TiCrAlCand NbCrAlC. The synthesized MAX phases purity was in the range of 92–98 %, according to Rietveld refinement.Secondary phases consisted of M-X carbides and M-A intermetallics, as well as aluminum oxide. The highesthardness and elastic modulus values were observed for Nb2AlC and NbVAlC MAX phases. Thermogravimetrictests showed limited oxidation rate of MAX phases within 20–900◦C range, except for Ti2AlC, which could beattributed to increased oxygen content before test. This work presents a beneficial method for fabrication ofrelatively phase-pure MAX phases using different M-type elements as precursor materials.