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Toyota Estima years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

12,034 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2008–2016 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

No Toyota Estima year has an MOT pass rate clearly below the average for vehicles first used in the same year. Above it: 2008–2014. The other year can't be told apart from average.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

77.9%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 77.1% to 78.6%.

In 2025, 77.9% of the 12,034 initial MOT tests on Toyota Estima cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 63.2%. That is 14.7 points above the same-age average.

Check a specific Estima

Its own MOT history, free.

Toyota Estima MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2016age 91,05395,30076.1%±2.7+1.2 ptsall: 74.9%
2014age 111,39485,50080.1%±2.2+11.5 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 121,69280,80080.3%±2.0+14.5 ptsall: 65.8%
2012age 131,89283,60081.4%±1.9+17.9 ptsall: 63.5%
2011age 141,31289,50074.8%±2.5+13.6 ptsall: 61.2%
2010age 151,73291,10076.2%±2.1+16.9 ptsall: 59.3%
2009age 161,64795,00078.3%±2.1+20.0 ptsall: 58.3%
2008age 171,312100,50073.4%±2.5+16.2 ptsall: 57.2%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Toyota Estima first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

85.2% of Toyota Estima tests at 30,000 to 59,999 miles passed first time, against 70.4% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 73.1% and 59.2%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
30,000–59,9991,53285.2%±1.9+12.1 ptsall: 73.1%
60,000–89,9994,38881.7%±1.2+18.4 ptsall: 63.3%
90,000–119,9993,24475.2%±1.6+16.5 ptsall: 58.6%
120,000 or more2,75870.4%±1.8+11.3 ptsall: 59.2%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Estima tests were above average in every band shown.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Toyota Estima tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: under 30,000. 38 tests (0.3%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common Estima problems at the MOT

Share of the 2,665 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

Most common MOT failures on the Toyota Estima

The defects recorded most often at the 2,665 failed initial tests on Toyota Estima cars, all years together, in the DVSA's own words. Each share is of failed tests, and a failed test can have more than one defect.

DefectShare of failed testsAll vehicles, same age
Position lamp not workingLights and electrics17.6%468 tests11.6%
Rear fog lamp not workingLights and electrics12.6%335 tests1.6%
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirtSuspension10.8%288 tests3.6%
Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectivelyWindscreen, wipers, mirrors9.8%262 tests5.3%
Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lampsLights and electrics9.5%254 tests4.6%
Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes8.4%223 tests5.5%
Headlamp not working on dipped beamLights and electrics8.1%215 tests5.6%
Rear fog lamp does not emit a steady red lightLights and electrics6.3%167 tests0.1%
Shock absorber has a serious fluid leakSuspension5.8%154 tests3.7%
Washer provides insufficient washer liquidWindscreen, wipers, mirrors5.6%150 tests5.1%

These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the Estima's failed tests in each year. How we count

What to check when viewing a Estima

Based on the areas where Toyota Estima MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Lights and electrics

    In 62.6% of failed Estima tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

  2. Suspension

    In 29.3% of failed Estima tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a Estima's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Toyota Estima cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Toyota Estima cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 5.3% failed on tyres, against 2.7% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,305 and 6,748 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory5.3%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted2.7%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 16.5% of those with a tyre advisory and 18.8% of the others.

Brakes

Of Toyota Estima cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 6.3% failed on brakes, against 2.9% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,008 and 6,995 cars.

  • With a brake advisory6.3%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted2.9%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 16.6% of those with a brake advisory and 18.7% of the others.

Suspension

Of Toyota Estima cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 8.4% failed on suspension, against 5.3% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,232 and 6,278 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory8.4%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted5.3%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 16.6% of those with a suspension advisory and 19.2% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

Toyota Estima questions

Which Toyota Estima years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2008–2014. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Toyota Estima reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 77.9% of initial MOT tests on Toyota Estima cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 63.2%. That is 14.7 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Toyota Estima problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 62.6% of failed tests) and suspension (in 29.3% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 15-year-old Toyota Estima?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Toyota Estima cars first used in 2010, about 15 years old, had a median of 91,100 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Estima's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Toyota Estima

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Toyota models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 17 Toyota modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Toyota Estima cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count