1995 Toyota Previa — MOT failures & pass rate
547 MOT tests on the 1995 Toyota Previa are in this dataset, and 71.1% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (31.8% fail rate), the 1995 Previa comes out 2.9pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.4%) and suspension (13.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and wipers — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 74 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 35.0% versus 11.0%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 42.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.9% in 2021 to 20.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.4% | 84 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.0% | 71 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 12.4% | 68 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.2% | 56 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 44 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.3% | 40 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 74 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 68 |
| 3 | Wipers | 44 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 36 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 33 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 24 |
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 | 42.2% | 231 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.9% | 191 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 24.9% | 136 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.5% | 123 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.4% | 95 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.1% | 77 |
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 | 82 | 11.0% |
| 90-120k | 131 | 33.6% |
| 120-150k | 154 | 29.9% |
| 150k+ | 163 | 35.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 152 | 28.9% |
| 2022 | 130 | 29.2% |
| 2023 | 107 | 31.8% |
| 2024 | 88 | 31.8% |
| 2025 | 70 | 20.0% |
What to check before buying a 1995 Previa
On a 1995 Previa, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.0% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (12.4% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 1995 Toyota Previas pass their MOT?
71.1% of the 547 1995 Toyota Previa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1995 Toyota Previa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.4% of tests, followed by suspension (13.0%).
Does the 1995 Previa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.0% in the 60-90k band to 35.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 547 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.