2018 Toyota Estima petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Toyota Estima petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Toyota Estima petrol than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Headlights10.3× usual
  Toyota Estima

  10.3% All 2018 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 0.9% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Steering swivel jointsnull× usual
  Toyota Estima

  8% All 2018 cars

  0%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0% of all 2018 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.

• Number plate lights5× usual
  Toyota Estima

  7% All 2018 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.5% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Engine oil leaks5.9× usual
  Toyota Estima

  5.9% All 2018 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Rear fog light25× usual
  Toyota Estima

  5% All 2018 cars

  0.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 0.2% of all 2018 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.

Common 2018 Toyota Estima petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Toyota Estima petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  27% 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
  23% 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
  22% 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
  19% 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
  7% 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
  7% 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 2018 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 headlights? (Flagged at MOT 10.3× as often on the 2018 Toyota Estima petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the steering swivel joints? (Flagged at MOT null× as often on the 2018 Toyota Estima petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 5× as often on the 2018 Toyota Estima petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?