2013 Toyota Land Cruiser: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Rigid brake pipes2.3× usual
  Toyota Land Cruiser

  9.4% All 2013 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Exhaust system2.1× usual
  Toyota Land Cruiser

  8.8% All 2013 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.2% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints9.3× usual
  Toyota Land Cruiser

  3.7% All 2013 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.1% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Common 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  26% 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.

• Suspension
  16% 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.

• Tyres
  14% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  9% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  9% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

• 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 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser

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

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 9.3× as often on the 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?