Toyota Alphard MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 9,809 MOT tests on the Toyota Alphard carried out in 2023. 26% failed at the first attempt, which is slightly below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 7 in 10 Alphards passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2002 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2009 models did best (85% passed, +26.1 points against the average for 14-year-old cars), while 2020 models fared worst (66%, −21.5 points). Tested cars had covered 80,392 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 14.1% of tests (slightly above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 7.2% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 9,809
- First-time pass rate
- 74%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +3.0 points
- Average mileage at test
- 80,392
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Alphard?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Alphard MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 498 | 75% | 91% | −15.9 points | 73,734 |
| 2020 | 511 | 66% | 88% | −21.5 points | 79,311 |
| 2019 | 439 | 69% | 86% | −16.7 points | 87,647 |
| 2018 | 510 | 69% | 84% | −15.0 points | 92,901 |
| 2017 | 576 | 68% | 82% | −14.0 points | 100,569 |
| 2016 | 503 | 67% | 79% | −11.8 points | 107,395 |
| 2015 | 349 | 66% | 75% | −9.9 points | 111,925 |
| 2014 | 125 | 66% | 72% | −5.3 points | 109,390 |
| 2013 | 118 | 89% | 68% | +20.7 points | 80,134 |
| 2012 | 191 | 86% | 66% | +20.3 points | 66,426 |
| 2011 | 129 | 78% | 63% | +15.3 points | 73,636 |
| 2010 | 325 | 80% | 60% | +19.8 points | 74,318 |
| 2009 | 221 | 85% | 59% | +26.1 points | 69,890 |
| 2008 | 945 | 78% | 57% | +20.3 points | 72,348 |
| 2007 | 1,278 | 80% | 57% | +23.3 points | 69,523 |
| 2006 | 1,221 | 78% | 56% | +21.7 points | 70,561 |
| 2005 | 737 | 74% | 56% | +17.5 points | 76,095 |
| 2004 | 680 | 72% | 56% | +15.6 points | 79,350 |
| 2003 | 334 | 71% | 57% | +14.3 points | 80,581 |
| 2002 | 89 | 76% | 58% | +18.9 points | 84,162 |
Why the Toyota Alphard fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Alphard | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 14.1% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 8.0% | 8.9% |
| Tyres | 4.8% | 6.3% |
| Brakes | 3.9% | 6.8% |
| Visibility | 3.7% | 4.8% |
| Body and structure | 2.3% | 3.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.9% | 3.1% |
| Steering | 1.1% | 1.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.7% | 1.0% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.2% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working7.2%
- 2ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.3%
- 3does not clear the windscreen effectively2.5%
- 4projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.0%
- 5has ply or cords exposed1.9%
- 6less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
- 7pin or bush excessively worn1.7%
- 8tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.7%
- 9missing1.6%
- 10swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn1.3%
Common Alphard MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Alphard, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 14.4% |
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 13.9% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 8.7% |
| swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 6.9% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 6.7% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 5.0% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.8% |
| has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced | Lights and electrics | 2.9% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 2.0% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 1.7% |
Tips to help your Alphard pass
Based on where Alphards most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 14.1% of Alphard tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 3.9% of Alphard tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the Alphard ULEZ compliant? See the Toyota Alphard ULEZ check, or view all Toyota models.
Other Toyota models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 9,809 first MOT tests of the Toyota Alphard carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 9,809 first MOT tests of the Toyota Alphard.
What is the Toyota Alphard MOT failure rate?
In our data, 26% of 9,809 first MOT attempts on the Toyota Alphard ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Toyota Alphard fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (14.1% of tests), suspension (8.0% of tests), tyres (4.8% of tests).
Which Alphard year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2009 cars performed best: 85% passed first time, +26.1 points against the average for 14-year-old cars. The weakest was 2020, at 66% (−21.5 points).
How many miles had a typical Toyota Alphard covered at its MOT?
The average was 80,392 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 73,734 miles and 2002 cars 84,162.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Toyota Alphard?
"pin or bush excessively worn" was recorded on 14.4% of tests, in the suspension area. 8.0% of Alphards failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Alphard's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 9,809 Alphards in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 66% to 89% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
Check any Alphard's MOT history
Every test, failure, advisory and recorded mileage for a specific car. Free, from official DVSA data.