2015 Toyota Previa — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 289 MOT tests, the 2015 Toyota Previa recorded an 81.7% pass rate. Against MPVs of a similar age (16.3% fail rate), the 2015 Previa comes out 2.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.0% of all tests — 10.7 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, position lamp and headlamp aim — headlamp alone was recorded 27 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.4% in the 60-90k band and 23.9% in the 150k+ band, a 12.6-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 27.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 16.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 52 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.3% | 21 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.2% | 18 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 14 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.2% | 12 |
| 6 | Brakes | 3.8% | 11 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 27 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 22 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 19 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 12 |
| 5 | Wipers | 11 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 11 |
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 | 27.7% | 80 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.9% | 72 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.2% | 67 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 54 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.5% | 39 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.5% | 36 |
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 | 44 | 11.4% |
| 90-120k | 85 | 15.3% |
| 120-150k | 58 | 17.2% |
| 150k+ | 92 | 23.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 257 | 19.8% |
| Hybrid | 32 | 6.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 79 | 16.5% |
| 2022 | 73 | 24.7% |
| 2023 | 60 | 11.7% |
| 2024 | 40 | 20.0% |
| 2025 | 37 | 18.9% |
What to check before buying a 2015 Previa
On a 2015 Previa, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.3% 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.
- Visibility (6.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2015 Toyota Previas pass their MOT?
81.7% of the 289 2015 Toyota Previa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Toyota Previa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.0% of tests, followed by suspension (7.3%).
Does the 2015 Previa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.4% in the 60-90k band to 23.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 289 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.