1993 Toyota Previa — MOT failures & pass rate
305 MOT tests on the 1993 Toyota Previa are in this dataset, and 71.2% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail 31.6% of the time, so this is 2.8pp 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 16.1% of all tests — 3.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, catalyst emissions and component mounting prescribed areas — wipers alone was recorded 38 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1993 Previa fails 30.8% of the time in the 60-90k band and 33.3% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.6 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 43.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 49 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.1% | 37 |
| 3 | Visibility | 11.5% | 35 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.8% | 33 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.9% | 24 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 38 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 25 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 20 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 20 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 19 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 17 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 43.0% | 131 |
| 2 | Suspension | 41.0% | 125 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.9% | 82 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 26.6% | 81 |
| 5 | Other defects | 21.0% | 64 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.1% | 46 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 39 | 30.8% |
| 90-120k | 63 | 22.2% |
| 120-150k | 53 | 26.4% |
| 150k+ | 141 | 33.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 90 | 32.2% |
| 2022 | 68 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 56 | 26.8% |
| 2024 | 47 | 23.4% |
| 2025 | 44 | 31.8% |
What to check before buying a 1993 Previa
On a 1993 Previa, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.1% 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 (11.5% 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 1993 Toyota Previas pass their MOT?
71.2% of the 305 1993 Toyota Previa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1993 Toyota Previa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.1% of tests, followed by suspension (12.1%).
Does the 1993 Previa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.8% in the 60-90k band to 33.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 305 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.