2005 Toyota Previa — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2005 Toyota Previa passed 74.2% of its 4,818 recorded MOT tests. MPVs of a similar age fail 30.0% of the time, so this is 4.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.6% of tests against 10.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and position lamp — headlamp alone was recorded 517 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.2% in the 30-60k band and 29.8% in the 150k+ band, a 9.6-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 25.4% of the time against 26.7% for diesel.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 55.0% 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 | 20.6% | 992 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.3% | 498 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.9% | 430 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 344 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.1% | 295 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.1% | 294 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 517 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 418 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 357 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 301 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 267 |
| 6 | Wipers | 240 |
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 | 55.0% | 2,649 |
| 2 | Brakes | 39.7% | 1,913 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 28.2% | 1,359 |
| 4 | Tyres | 25.3% | 1,220 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 21.1% | 1,018 |
| 6 | Other defects | 17.8% | 858 |
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 | 114 | 20.2% |
| 60-90k | 473 | 19.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,050 | 23.1% |
| 120-150k | 1,386 | 25.3% |
| 150k+ | 1,771 | 29.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,355 | 25.4% |
| Diesel | 1,451 | 26.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,197 | 25.8% |
| 2022 | 1,091 | 26.4% |
| 2023 | 941 | 25.3% |
| 2024 | 858 | 25.9% |
| 2025 | 731 | 25.4% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Previa
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.3% 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 (8.9% 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 2005 Toyota Previas pass their MOT?
74.2% of the 4,818 2005 Toyota Previa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Toyota Previa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.6% of tests, followed by suspension (10.3%).
Does the 2005 Previa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.2% in the 30-60k band to 29.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,818 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.