MPV and people carrier · 1996–2021 cars
Toyota Previa reliability
The Toyota Previa fails 44% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 16,532 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Toyota Previa before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 44%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 16,532
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 6,400
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Toyota Previa ages
Each point is the share of Toyota Previas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Toyota Previa | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 20.6% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 38.3% | 34.6% |
| 15 | 43.7% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 42.5% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 42.1% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 45.2% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 46% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 47.2% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 47.4% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 45.4% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 48.5% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 45% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 37.9% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst Toyota Previa years
2006 cars come out best and 2001 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 247 | 31.2% | 8% more fails | 58,700 |
| 2006 Previa | 1,994 | 42.4% | 6% fewer fails | 135,053 |
| 2005 Previa | 2,491 | 44.7% | 2% fewer fails | 135,484 |
| 2004 Previa | 2,694 | 46.1% | 1% more fails | 139,205 |
| 2003 Previa | 2,375 | 46.1% | 1% more fails | 141,183 |
| 2002 Previa | 1,763 | 45.4% | 1% more fails | 140,321 |
| 2001 Previa | 1,731 | 48.2% | 9% more fails | 145,858 |
| 2000 | 740 | 45.8% | 6% more fails | 139,308 |
| 1999 | 352 | 43.2% | 8% more fails | 127,811 |
| 1998 | 429 | 41% | 6% more fails | 129,336 |
| 1997 | 227 | 43.2% | 12% more fails | 126,416 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Toyota Previa
Its weak spot is number plates and vin: 66% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics25.7%18% above avg
- Suspension13.9%22% below avg
- Brakes12.7%12% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks11.3%51% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure11%11% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.3%13% above avg
- Tyres6.5%7% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags2.1%39% below avg
- Steering1.7%65% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 6.3% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Stop lamp not working 5.7% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 5.08% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.55% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 5
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 3.9% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 6
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 3.7% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 7
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.08% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 8
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.03% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Toyota Previa's MOT certificate most often.
- Coil spring showing some corrosion22.08%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive20.07%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear18.96%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy16.25%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit15.32%
- Brake pads wearing thin9.64%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Toyota Previa
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Toyota Previa covers about 6,400 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol78.5%
- Diesel19.1%
- LPG1.9%
- Hybrid0.5%
- Other0.1%
- Electric0%
Most common colours
Silver, Blue, Red, Green, Grey
Average engine size: 2.3 litres.
Compare
How the Toyota Previa compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Prius+ | 16.1% | 41% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Previa | 44% | about average for its age |
| Chrysler Grand Voyager | 41.7% | about average for its age |
| Renault Megane Scenic | 41.4% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Tourneo Custom | 19.3% | 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Orlando | 40.6% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën Grand C4 Picasso | 50.5% | 29% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every mpv and people carrier ranked in the mpv and people carrier reliability index, or all Toyota models.
Questions
Toyota Previa questions, answered
Is the Toyota Previa reliable?
On MOT results, the Toyota Previa is about average: it fails 44% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 18 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.
What fails most on a Toyota Previa MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Toyota Previa are position lamp not working (6.3% of tests), stop lamp not working (5.7% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (5.08% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 25.7% of its tests.
Which Toyota Previa year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2006 cars do best (6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2001 cars do worst (9% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Toyota Previa do a year?
A typical Toyota Previa covers about 6,400 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Toyota Previa before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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