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Toyota Previa reliability by build year

Coverage 1990-20062 named generationsMPVPETROL / DIESEL

We've only got 880 MOT tests for Toyota Previas built around 2004 (21 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Toyota Previa built around 2004: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Toyota Previas built around 2004 more often than on similar cars the same age. Look closely at the suspension on any car you view. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Toyota Previa by number plate

Key figure

10% of MOT tests on Toyota Previas built around 2004 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 8% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Toyota Previas built around 2004 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Toyota Previa's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Lighting

Worth checking

Inspect the lighting carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Previa's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Previa R30/R40 (2nd gen)

R30/R40 (2nd gen) (2000-2006)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROLDIESEL

32.8% fail rate, built around 2006 (19 years old)

Likely between 29.5% and 36.3%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.4%)

From 732 MOT tests at this ageView details →
R

R10 (1st gen) (1990-1999)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROLDIESEL

31.2% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Likely between 27.7% and 34.9%

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 638 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL
50 MOT tests across all agesLimited data

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Toyota Previa.

See every build year for the Toyota Previa

Side-by-side

Toyota Previa generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
R30/R40 (2nd gen) (2000-2006)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate32.8%likely between 29.5% and 36.3%built around 2006 (19 years old)from 732 MOT tests at this age
R10 (1st gen) (1990-1999)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate31.2%likely between 27.7% and 34.9%built before 2000 (over 25 years old)from 638 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Previa, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Toyota Previa fail rate by age

This chart combines every Toyota Previa ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
5032.0%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
7129.6%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
24431.6%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
73232.8%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
82831.3%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
88034.4%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
62134.0%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
50533.7%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
35734.4%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
63831.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 24 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 21-year-old Toyota Previas

These issues come from 21-year-old Toyota Previas, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    35.6%
    Advisory: 481Fail: 57 (11% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    35.3%
    Advisory: 324Fail: 8 (2% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    34.4%
    Advisory: 496Fail: 5 (1% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Headlamp lens partly covered, but light output not badly reduced

    22.5%
    Advisory: 230Fail: 50 (18% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    22.4%
    Advisory: 252Fail: 16 (6% of the times it was found)

Based on 880 MOT tests on 21-year-old Toyota Previas, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 21-year-old Toyota Previas notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Suspension45%
  2. Lighting + Suspension45%
  3. Fuel & oil + Suspension35%
  4. Other + Suspension34%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 696 MOT tests on Toyota Previa cars built around 2004 (21 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Toyota Previa.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

4 recalls in all

2 of the 4 Toyota Previa recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 recalls

Top concerns

  • Tow ball may fracture
  • Possible loss of windscreen wiper action.

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers to compare

  1. 1

    Renault Kangoo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    33.7%

    No clear edge over the Toyota Previa on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,912 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  2. 2

    Citroen Berlingo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    33.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.1%

    No clear edge over the Toyota Previa on these figures.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,760 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  3. 3

    Vauxhall Zafira

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    33.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.5%
    Dangerous
    8.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.7%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 8.4%, against 9.8% for the Toyota Previa.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,287 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  4. 4

    Vauxhall Meriva

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    34.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    11.2%
    Dangerous
    8.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.8%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 8.3%, against 9.8% for the Toyota Previa.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,165 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2004 (21 years old), the Toyota Previa across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 880 21-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Toyota Previa ever sold: 4,926 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2004 (21 years old): 880 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.