2003 Toyota Previa — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,861 MOT tests, the 2003 Toyota Previa recorded a 71.5% pass rate. Against MPVs of a similar age (30.0% fail rate), the 2003 Previa comes out 1.5pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.9% of tests against 12.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and position lamp — headlamp alone was recorded 638 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 21.2% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 31.0% once past 150k.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 28.4% of the time against 28.8% for diesel.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 56.3% 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 | 21.9% | 1,063 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.2% | 591 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.4% | 552 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 496 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.7% | 472 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.9% | 337 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 638 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 430 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 355 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 323 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 322 |
| 6 | Wipers | 306 |
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 | 56.3% | 2,737 |
| 2 | Brakes | 38.4% | 1,867 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 30.2% | 1,470 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 27.7% | 1,346 |
| 5 | Tyres | 25.9% | 1,257 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.7% | 1,055 |
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 | 85 | 21.2% |
| 60-90k | 440 | 25.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,045 | 25.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,257 | 28.2% |
| 150k+ | 1,997 | 31.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,750 | 28.4% |
| Diesel | 1,105 | 28.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,306 | 29.2% |
| 2022 | 1,091 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 956 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 818 | 29.0% |
| 2025 | 690 | 29.0% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Previa
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 21.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (21.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.2% 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.
- Brakes (11.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2003 Toyota Previas pass their MOT?
71.5% of the 4,861 2003 Toyota Previa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Toyota Previa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.9% of tests, followed by suspension (12.2%).
Does the 2003 Previa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.2% in the 30-60k band to 31.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,861 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.