2001 Toyota Previa — MOT failures & pass rate
3,548 MOT tests on the 2001 Toyota Previa are in this dataset, and 70.3% of them passed. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (29.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.8% of tests against 13.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, catalyst emissions and headlamp aim — headlamp alone was recorded 440 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.2% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 31.5% once past 150k — 2.1× the risk.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 55.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.6% in 2021 to 28.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.8% | 738 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 13.2% | 467 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.5% | 444 |
| 4 | Brakes | 12.3% | 436 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.5% | 374 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.9% | 279 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 440 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 383 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 294 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 264 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 256 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 247 |
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 | 55.3% | 1,962 |
| 2 | Brakes | 38.2% | 1,355 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 28.6% | 1,016 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 26.9% | 956 |
| 5 | Tyres | 26.7% | 948 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.3% | 755 |
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 | 33 | 15.2% |
| 60-90k | 221 | 24.9% |
| 90-120k | 646 | 26.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,075 | 30.3% |
| 150k+ | 1,550 | 31.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,282 | 29.7% |
| Diesel | 263 | 28.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,026 | 30.6% |
| 2022 | 816 | 29.2% |
| 2023 | 667 | 28.6% |
| 2024 | 582 | 30.9% |
| 2025 | 457 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Previa
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (13.2% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (12.5% 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.
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 2001 Toyota Previas pass their MOT?
70.3% of the 3,548 2001 Toyota Previa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Toyota Previa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.8% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (13.2%).
Does the 2001 Previa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.2% in the 30-60k band to 31.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,548 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.