2006 Toyota Estima — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,354 MOT tests, the 2006 Toyota Estima recorded an 83.4% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.9% of the time, so this is 13.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.8% of all tests — 8.6 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, headlamp and position lamp — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 240 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.9% versus 11.1%.
Split by fuel, petrol examples fail 4.2pp more often than hybrid ones (16.5% vs 12.2%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 25.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 646 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.3% | 274 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.0% | 219 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.2% | 183 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.9% | 169 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.3% | 99 |
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 | 240 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 234 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 201 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 178 |
| 5 | Wipers | 165 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 136 |
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 | 25.9% | 1,126 |
| 2 | Tyres | 21.0% | 915 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.3% | 797 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 694 |
| 5 | Other defects | 12.9% | 560 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.7% | 246 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 36 | 11.1% |
| 30-60k | 404 | 9.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,505 | 13.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,159 | 17.0% |
| 120-150k | 627 | 20.1% |
| 150k+ | 619 | 23.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,151 | 16.5% |
| Hybrid | 875 | 12.2% |
| Diesel | 279 | 31.9% |
| Electric | 33 | 15.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 659 | 15.5% |
| 2022 | 768 | 15.9% |
| 2023 | 843 | 17.1% |
| 2024 | 1,061 | 17.4% |
| 2025 | 1,023 | 16.4% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Estima
On a 2006 Estima, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.3% 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 (5.0% 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 2006 Toyota Estimas pass their MOT?
83.4% of the 4,354 2006 Toyota Estima MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Toyota Estima?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.8% of tests, followed by suspension (6.3%).
Does the 2006 Estima get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.1% in the 0-30k band to 23.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,354 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.