2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Toyota Previa MOT pass rate and common faults

715 MOT tests in 2024. 50.9% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

90Well below average
Passed first time50.9%
Failed or needed repairs49.1%
Typical mileage at test141,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 715 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction6.2%
  2. Position lamp: not working5.0%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect5.0%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively4.9%
  5. Stop lamp: not working4.8%
  6. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick4.8%
    50 marked dangerous
  7. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.8%
  8. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.8%
  9. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.6%
  10. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.5%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics44.9%
  2. Brakes20.4%
  3. Suspension19.2%
  4. Body & chassis17.5%
  5. Emissions & leaks17.3%
  6. Tyres9.1%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.0%
  8. Seat belts & airbags2.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened31.3%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine28.0%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn26.2%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded21.1%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.6%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Toyota Previa?

In 2024, 50.9% of 2004 Toyota Previa cars passed their MOT first time, across 715 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Toyota Previa?

The most common failure reasons were malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; position lamp: not working; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Toyota Previa reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 90, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).