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Toyota Land Cruiser years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

5,409 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2003–2006 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

All 4 Toyota Land Cruiser years have MOT pass rates above the average for vehicles first used in the same year.

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.

64.7%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 63.4% to 66.0%.

In 2025, 64.7% of the 5,409 initial MOT tests on Toyota Land Cruiser cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 57.8%. That is 6.9 points above the same-age average.

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Its own MOT history, free.

Toyota Land Cruiser 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
2006age 191,119146,20062.5%±2.9+5.5 ptsall: 57.0%
2005age 201,511148,90065.8%±2.5+8.2 ptsall: 57.6%
2004age 211,560155,60065.9%±2.4+8.1 ptsall: 57.8%
2003age 221,219159,10063.9%±2.8+5.2 ptsall: 58.7%

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

Common Land Cruiser problems at the MOT

Share of the 1,909 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 Land Cruiser

The defects recorded most often at the 1,909 failed initial tests on Toyota Land Cruiser 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 electrics16.2%309 tests12.6%
Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirtBody, chassis, structure12.7%243 tests7.3%
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gasesBody, chassis, structure9.5%181 tests4.6%
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mountingBody, chassis, structure9.2%175 tests1.6%
Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strengthSuspension8.5%163 tests6.5%
Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lampsLights and electrics7.4%142 tests4.5%
Rear fog lamp not workingLights and electrics7.1%136 tests2.9%
Rigid brake pipes excessively corrodedBrakes7.0%133 tests5.1%
Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectivelyWindscreen, wipers, mirrors6.7%127 tests7.3%
Stop lamp not workingLights and electrics6.7%127 tests9.2%

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 Land Cruiser's failed tests in each year. How we count

What to check when viewing a Land Cruiser

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

  1. Lights and electrics

    In 48.2% of failed Land Cruiser 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 42.6% of failed Land Cruiser 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.

  3. Body, chassis, structure

    In 37.9% of failed Land Cruiser tests

    • Look for rust or damage under the sills, around the wheel arches and on the floor where you can see it.
    • Open and close every door, the bonnet and the boot. They should latch properly.
    • Check the seats are secure and adjust properly.

  4. Brakes

    In 32.8% of failed Land Cruiser tests

    • On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
    • Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
    • Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.

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

Check a Land Cruiser's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Toyota Land Cruiser 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 Land Cruiser 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 1.6% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,046 and 7,887 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory5.3%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted1.6%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 16.7% of those with a tyre advisory and 18.3% of the others.

Brakes

Of Toyota Land Cruiser cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 12.5% failed on brakes, against 7.3% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,744 and 7,113 cars.

  • With a brake advisory12.5%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted7.3%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 20.3% of those with a brake advisory and 17.5% of the others.

Suspension

Of Toyota Land Cruiser cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 15.1% failed on suspension, against 8.6% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,964 and 6,130 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory15.1%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted8.6%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 20.4% of those with a suspension advisory and 17.5% 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 Land Cruiser questions

Which Toyota Land Cruiser 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: 2003–2006. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Toyota Land Cruiser reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 64.7% of initial MOT tests on Toyota Land Cruiser cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 57.8%. That is 6.9 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 Land Cruiser problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 48.2% of failed tests), suspension (in 42.6% of failed tests) and body, chassis, structure (in 37.9% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 20-year-old Toyota Land Cruiser?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Toyota Land Cruiser cars first used in 2005, about 20 years old, had a median of 148,900 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Land Cruiser'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 Land Cruiser

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 Land Cruiser cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count