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Toyota Previa R30/R40 (2nd gen) (2000-2006) reliability

At a glance

Toyota Previa R30/R40 (2nd gen) built around 2004: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Toyota Previa R30/R40 (2nd gen) models 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.

Looking at a Toyota Previa R30/R40 (2nd gen) right now?

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

Key figure

10% of MOT tests on Toyota Previa R30/R40 (2nd gen) models 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 Previa R30/R40 (2nd gen) models built around 2004 involves the suspension.

Toyota Previa R30/R40 (2nd gen)
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2000-2006MPVPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 4,228 tests of Previa models registered 2000-2006.

About 1 in 10 Previa R30/R40 (2nd gen) MOTs (9.2%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2004 (21 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 880 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 7.5% and 11.3%. 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 10 Previa R30/R40 (2nd gen) MOTs (9.8%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2004 (21 years old).

Based on 880 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 8.0% and 11.9%. Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

R30/R40 (2nd gen) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
22831.1%
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
7733.8%

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.

How the Previa R30/R40 (2nd gen) compares

At each age below, see how the Previa R30/R40 (2nd gen) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 40,713 tests across 17 Toyota models, built around 2004 (21 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateToyota average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
22831.1%
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
7733.8%

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.

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.

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Previa R30/R40 (2nd gen).

  1. 1

    Renault Kangoo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    33.7%

    No clear edge over the Toyota Previa R30/R40 (2nd gen) 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 R30/R40 (2nd gen) 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 R30/R40 (2nd gen).

    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 R30/R40 (2nd gen).

    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.

Recall context

4 recalls in all

1 of the 4 Previa R30/R40 (2nd gen) recalls covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 recall

Top concerns

  • Tow ball may fracture

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

What has gone wrong on Previa R30/R40 (2nd gen) cars built around 2004

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 50 cars.

Structural systems

Emissions
44%
Suspension
32%
Steering
8%
Drivetrain
4%
Bodywork
2%

Wear items

Lighting
74%
Brakes
70%
Tyres
54%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 20% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

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

How Previa R30/R40 (2nd gen) cars have aged

How Previa R30/R40 (2nd 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.

0%10%20%30%40%151719212325Age at MOTBuilt around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 30.7% (665 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 28.7% (565 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 30.7% (501 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (454 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 33.7% (407 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 30.9% (779 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (695 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 31.4% (601 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (562 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 31.1% (454 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.4% (873 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (769 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 33.0% (675 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 35.1% (604 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 34.6% (515 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.8% (767 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.2% (602 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 35.0% (557 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 34.4% (450 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 34.5% (380 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 33.7% (668 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (548 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 32.2% (416 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 32.2% (323 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 33.2% (283 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 35.8% (606 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 31.9% (483 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (403 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 37.2% (328 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2001, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (265 tests, 2025 data)2001Built around 2000, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 36.0% (186 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2000, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 34.7% (173 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2000, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 28.4% (102 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2000, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 34.7% (98 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2000, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 33.8% (77 tests, 2025 data)2000
First registered around 2006First registered around 2005First registered around 2004First registered around 2003
R30/R40 (2nd 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 around 2004, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the R30/R40 (2nd gen) on its own.

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 tests

Looking at a Toyota Previa R30/R40 (2nd gen) right now?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2004 (21 years old), the Toyota Previa R30/R40 (2nd gen) (2000-2006) 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.

*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 4,228 MOT tests on Toyota Previas first registered between 2000-2006. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.