Toyota Estima MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 16,122 MOT tests on the Toyota Estima carried out in 2023. 23% failed at the first attempt, which is noticeably below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 8 in 10 Estimas passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2003 to 2022. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2008 models did best (78% passed, +20.9 points against the average for 15-year-old cars), while 2020 models fared worst (73%, −15.0 points). Tested cars had covered 94,136 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 14.3% of tests (slightly above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 7.3% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 16,122
- First-time pass rate
- 77%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +5.6 points
- Average mileage at test
- 94,136
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Estima?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Estima 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 56 | 82% | 93% | −10.7 points | 67,950 |
| 2021 | 497 | 77% | 91% | −14.2 points | 94,629 |
| 2020 | 685 | 73% | 88% | −15.0 points | 100,039 |
| 2019 | 851 | 76% | 86% | −10.1 points | 114,697 |
| 2018 | 664 | 74% | 84% | −10.0 points | 112,670 |
| 2017 | 864 | 77% | 82% | −4.2 points | 91,871 |
| 2016 | 1,045 | 75% | 79% | −3.3 points | 98,345 |
| 2015 | 839 | 76% | 75% | +0.7 points | 98,415 |
| 2014 | 946 | 76% | 72% | +4.2 points | 93,139 |
| 2013 | 1,132 | 80% | 68% | +11.7 points | 89,472 |
| 2012 | 1,327 | 82% | 66% | +16.0 points | 81,079 |
| 2011 | 1,098 | 80% | 63% | +17.3 points | 85,289 |
| 2010 | 1,535 | 79% | 60% | +18.5 points | 87,000 |
| 2009 | 1,385 | 79% | 59% | +20.0 points | 89,127 |
| 2008 | 1,157 | 78% | 57% | +20.9 points | 93,365 |
| 2007 | 819 | 73% | 57% | +15.9 points | 98,754 |
| 2006 | 713 | 74% | 56% | +17.8 points | 96,500 |
| 2005 | 158 | 65% | 56% | +8.3 points | 92,418 |
| 2004 | 155 | 65% | 56% | +8.5 points | 110,112 |
| 2003 | 92 | 62% | 57% | +5.3 points | 131,656 |
Why the Toyota Estima fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Estima | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 14.3% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 6.5% | 8.9% |
| Visibility | 3.9% | 4.8% |
| Tyres | 3.8% | 6.3% |
| Brakes | 3.8% | 6.8% |
| Body and structure | 2.0% | 3.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.9% | 3.1% |
| Steering | 0.7% | 1.8% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.6% | 0.4% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.5% | 1.0% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working7.3%
- 2ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.7%
- 3does not clear the windscreen effectively2.2%
- 4less than 1.5 mm thick2.0%
- 5inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.8%
- 6projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.6%
- 7not working on dipped beam1.6%
- 8tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
- 9provides insufficient washer liquid1.2%
- 10does not emit a steady red light1.2%
Common Estima MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Estima, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 11.0% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 8.6% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 6.4% |
| swivel pin and/or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 5.1% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 4.8% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 4.2% |
| has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 3.6% |
| has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced | Lights and electrics | 3.4% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.3% |
| Play in steering rack inner joint(s) | Non-component advisories | 2.9% |
Tips to help your Estima pass
Based on where Estimas most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 14.3% of Estima 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.
Visibility · 3.9% of Estima tests
Clear the view
Replace wiper blades that smear, fill the washer bottle and get chips in the windscreen repaired early, especially in the area directly in front of the driver.
Compare with other models
Is the Estima ULEZ compliant? See the Toyota Estima ULEZ check, or view all Toyota models.
Other Toyota models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 16,122 first MOT tests of the Toyota Estima 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 16,122 first MOT tests of the Toyota Estima.
What is the Toyota Estima MOT failure rate?
In our data, 23% of 16,122 first MOT attempts on the Toyota Estima ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Toyota Estima fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (14.3% of tests), suspension (6.5% of tests), visibility (3.9% of tests).
Which Estima year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2008 cars performed best: 78% passed first time, +20.9 points against the average for 15-year-old cars. The weakest was 2020, at 73% (−15.0 points).
How many miles had a typical Toyota Estima covered at its MOT?
The average was 94,136 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2022 cars averaged 67,950 miles and 2003 cars 131,656.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Toyota Estima?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 11.0% of tests, in the tyres area. 3.8% of Estimas failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Estima's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 16,122 Estimas in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 62% to 82% 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 Estima's MOT history
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