2006 Toyota Estima petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Toyota Estima petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Toyota Estima petrol than on all cars registered in 2006.

• Steering swivel joints7.8× usual
  Toyota Estima

  10.2% All 2006 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.2% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Rear fog light5.8× usual
  Toyota Estima

  7% All 2006 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 1.1% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Sub-frame bushes5.2× usual
  Toyota Estima

  3.1% All 2006 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.1% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Common 2006 Toyota Estima petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Toyota Estima petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  34% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  32% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  26% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  22% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Steering
  8% of testsRough price £100–£450

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 Toyota Estima petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the steering swivel joints? (Flagged at MOT 7.8× as often on the 2006 Toyota Estima petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the rear fog light? (Flagged at MOT 5.8× as often on the 2006 Toyota Estima petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame bushes? (Flagged at MOT 5.2× as often on the 2006 Toyota Estima petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?