2014 Toyota Alphard- — MOT failures & pass rate
806 MOT tests on the 2014 Toyota Alphard- are in this dataset, and 81.9% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 19.0%, so the 2014 Alphard- sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 11.0% of all tests — 4.2 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rear fog lamp and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 36 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 28.9% versus 12.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 25.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 22.3% in 2021 to 13.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.0% | 89 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.8% | 55 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.8% | 39 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.7% | 30 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.5% | 28 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.5% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 36 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 34 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 24 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 24 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 23 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 23 |
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 | 25.4% | 205 |
| 2 | Tyres | 20.8% | 168 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.4% | 148 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.3% | 99 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 95 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.1% | 41 |
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 | 114 | 12.3% |
| 60-90k | 262 | 9.2% |
| 90-120k | 192 | 23.4% |
| 120-150k | 107 | 27.1% |
| 150k+ | 114 | 28.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 688 | 17.3% |
| Petrol | 118 | 22.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 121 | 22.3% |
| 2022 | 131 | 21.4% |
| 2023 | 140 | 24.3% |
| 2024 | 162 | 14.2% |
| 2025 | 252 | 13.5% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Alphard-
On a 2014 Alphard-, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.8% 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.
- Brakes (4.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2014 Toyota Alphard-s pass their MOT?
81.9% of the 806 2014 Toyota Alphard- MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Toyota Alphard-?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.0% of tests, followed by suspension (6.8%).
Does the 2014 Alphard- get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.3% in the 30-60k band to 28.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 806 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.