2005 Toyota Estima — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2005 Toyota Estima passed 77.0% of its 1,136 recorded MOT tests. Against MPVs of a similar age (30.1% fail rate), the 2005 Estima comes out 7.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.7% of tests against 8.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and rear fog lamp — headlamp alone was recorded 112 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 31.3% versus 13.8%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 33.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 21.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.7% | 201 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.6% | 98 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.8% | 77 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.4% | 61 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 58 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.9% | 56 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 112 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 92 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 72 |
| 4 | Wipers | 54 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 47 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 34 |
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 | 33.5% | 381 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.3% | 287 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.0% | 273 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 17.2% | 195 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 186 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.8% | 145 |
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 | 160 | 13.8% |
| 60-90k | 329 | 22.5% |
| 90-120k | 261 | 24.1% |
| 120-150k | 183 | 22.4% |
| 150k+ | 182 | 31.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 886 | 22.2% |
| Diesel | 198 | 29.3% |
| Hybrid | 52 | 11.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 215 | 21.9% |
| 2022 | 217 | 19.8% |
| 2023 | 197 | 21.8% |
| 2024 | 263 | 25.9% |
| 2025 | 244 | 24.6% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Estima
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.6% 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 (6.8% 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 2005 Toyota Estimas pass their MOT?
77.0% of the 1,136 2005 Toyota Estima MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Toyota Estima?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.7% of tests, followed by suspension (8.6%).
Does the 2005 Estima get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.8% in the 30-60k band to 31.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,136 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.