2011 Toyota Alphard- — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 695 MOT tests, the 2011 Toyota Alphard- recorded an 85.5% pass rate. That is 9.6 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 24.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.4% of tests against 6.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, position lamp and headlamp aim — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 45 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2011 Alphard- fails 17.2% of the time in the 30-60k band and 20.9% at 90-120k, a spread of only 3.8 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 17.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 86 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.9% | 48 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.7% | 19 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.3% | 16 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.0% | 14 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.9% | 6 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 45 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 26 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 25 |
| 4 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 24 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 23 |
| 6 | Switch | 20 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.3% | 120 |
| 2 | Tyres | 15.7% | 109 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.5% | 80 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 5.6% | 39 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.2% | 29 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.0% | 14 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 198 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 342 | 11.1% |
| 90-120k | 86 | 20.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 659 | 14.4% |
| Petrol | 36 | 16.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 37 | 16.2% |
| 2022 | 100 | 12.0% |
| 2023 | 146 | 15.1% |
| 2024 | 181 | 13.3% |
| 2025 | 231 | 16.0% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Alphard-
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Visibility (2.7% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2011 Toyota Alphard-s pass their MOT?
85.5% of the 695 2011 Toyota Alphard- MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Toyota Alphard-?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.4% of tests, followed by suspension (6.9%).
Does the 2011 Alphard- get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.2% in the 30-60k band to 20.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 695 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.