2006 Toyota Previa — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2006 Toyota Previa passed 74.9% of its 3,812 recorded MOT tests. Against MPVs of a similar age (29.7% fail rate), the 2006 Previa comes out 4.6pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 21.0% of all tests — 12.2 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and position lamp — headlamp alone was recorded 396 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.8% in the 30-60k band and 26.9% in the 150k+ band, a 14.1-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.3pp more often than petrol ones (26.5% vs 24.2%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 54.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 23.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.0% | 799 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.7% | 333 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.6% | 327 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.4% | 245 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.4% | 243 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.4% | 243 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 396 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 335 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 280 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 247 |
| 5 | Wipers | 203 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 154 |
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 | 54.5% | 2,077 |
| 2 | Brakes | 39.8% | 1,517 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.7% | 1,056 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 26.4% | 1,006 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 21.8% | 829 |
| 6 | Other defects | 17.3% | 658 |
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 | 94 | 12.8% |
| 60-90k | 398 | 21.9% |
| 90-120k | 866 | 24.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,042 | 25.8% |
| 150k+ | 1,396 | 26.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,270 | 24.2% |
| Diesel | 1,535 | 26.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 952 | 23.6% |
| 2022 | 851 | 24.6% |
| 2023 | 758 | 26.1% |
| 2024 | 661 | 25.1% |
| 2025 | 590 | 27.0% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Previa
On a 2006 Previa, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.7% 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 (8.6% 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 2006 Toyota Previas pass their MOT?
74.9% of the 3,812 2006 Toyota Previa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Toyota Previa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.0% of tests, followed by suspension (8.7%).
Does the 2006 Previa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.8% in the 30-60k band to 26.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,812 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.