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Toyota Previa R10 (1st gen) (1990-1999) reliability

At a glance

Toyota Previa R10 (1st gen) built before 2000: about average at the MOT

Toyota Previa R10 (1st gen) models built before 2000 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Looking at a Toyota Previa R10 (1st gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

31% of MOT tests on Toyota Previa R10 (1st gen) models built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 32% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Toyota Previa R10 (1st gen) models built before 2000 involves the suspension.

No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate1990-1999MPVPETROL

Based on 560 tests of Previa models registered 1990-1999.

About 1 in 7 Previa R10 (1st gen) MOTs (13.9%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 560 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 11.3% and 17.0%. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 Previa R10 (1st gen) MOTs (5.5%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Based on 560 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 3.9% and 7.8%. Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

R10 (1st gen) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
56030.9%

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 25+ years old.

How the Previa R10 (1st gen) compares

At each age below, see how the Previa R10 (1st gen) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 34,903 tests across 20 Toyota models, built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateToyota average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
56030.9%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

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.

Leaks

Worth checking

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

Suspension springs

Worth checking

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

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

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.

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Previa R10 (1st gen).

  1. 1

    Volkswagen Camper

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    11%
    Dangerous
    6.3%

    Lower fail rate: 28.0%, against 30.9% for the Toyota Previa R10 (1st gen), both built before 2000.

    1,483 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

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.

Recall context

4 recalls in all

1 of the 4 Previa R10 (1st gen) recalls covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 recall

Top concerns

  • Possible loss of windscreen wiper action.

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

What has gone wrong on Previa R10 (1st gen) cars built before 2000

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 79 cars.

Structural systems

Emissions
53%
Suspension
48%
Bodywork
18%
Drivetrain
16%
Steering
13%

Wear items

Brakes
77%
Lighting
72%
Tyres
54%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 30% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How Previa R10 (1st gen) cars have aged

How Previa R10 (1st gen) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%20%30%40%22232425Age at MOTBuilt around 1999, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 37.4% (91 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1999, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (55 tests, 2022 data)1999Built around 1998, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 32.4% (142 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1998, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 36.2% (116 tests, 2022 data)Built around 1998, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (90 tests, 2023 data)1998Built around 1997, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 32.3% (164 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1997, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (117 tests, 2022 data)1997
First registered around 1999First registered around 1998First registered around 1997
How each part holds up as R10 (1st gen) cars age

How each part holds up as R10 (1st gen) cars age

The share of petrol cars built pre-2005 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car21 years22 years23 years24 years
Suspension48%54%54%43%
Brakes77%77%69%77%
Emissions53%56%49%57%
Tyres54%66%66%60%
Lighting72%80%82%74%
Drivetrain16%22%10%8%
Bodywork18%9%17%13%
Steering13%18%10%7%
Corrosion30%32%26%30%

Based on petrol cars in the pre-2005 build-year band, from 79 to 148 cars at each age.

R10 (1st gen) variants compared
All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common issues on Toyota Previas of this age

This list covers every Toyota Previa built before 2000, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the R10 (1st gen) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    32.6%
    Advisory: 228Fail: 5 (2% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    23.0%
    Advisory: 250Fail: 26 (9% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    18.6%
    Advisory: 162Fail: 5 (3% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    16.9%
    Advisory: 156Fail: 11 (7% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    16.8%
    Advisory: 173Fail: 5 (3% of the times it was found)

Based on 638 tests

Looking at a Toyota Previa R10 (1st gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Toyota Previa R10 (1st gen) (1990-1999) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 560 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 560 MOT tests on Toyota Previas first registered between 1990-1999. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.