2007 Toyota Estima — MOT failures & pass rate
4,925 MOT tests on the 2007 Toyota Estima are in this dataset, and 82.6% of them passed. That is 12.0 percentage points better than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 29.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests against 7.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, headlamp and position lamp — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 301 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.1% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 23.2% once past 150k — 2.6× the risk.
The hybrid cars hold up better: 14.6% fail against 17.8% for petrol, a 3.2-point gap across 4,659 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 27.2% 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 | 15.2% | 747 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.1% | 348 |
| 3 | Visibility | 4.6% | 227 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.1% | 202 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.0% | 198 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.6% | 129 |
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 | 301 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 264 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 234 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 195 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 192 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 158 |
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 | 27.2% | 1,339 |
| 2 | Tyres | 20.1% | 992 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.7% | 968 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.3% | 801 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.9% | 489 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.3% | 308 |
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 | 309 | 9.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,829 | 14.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,468 | 18.2% |
| 120-150k | 699 | 21.2% |
| 150k+ | 600 | 23.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,320 | 17.8% |
| Hybrid | 1,339 | 14.6% |
| Diesel | 212 | 31.1% |
| Electric | 32 | 12.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 779 | 17.2% |
| 2022 | 935 | 17.0% |
| 2023 | 971 | 17.2% |
| 2024 | 1,134 | 18.8% |
| 2025 | 1,106 | 16.8% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Estima
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.1% 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 (4.6% 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 2007 Toyota Estimas pass their MOT?
82.6% of the 4,925 2007 Toyota Estima MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Toyota Estima?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests, followed by suspension (7.1%).
Does the 2007 Estima get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.1% in the 30-60k band to 23.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,925 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.