Used car guide

1999 Toyota Previa: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Toyota Previa first registered in 1999: we looked at the 196 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 196 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

196MOTs of 1999 cars, done in 2023–2025
57%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 63%)
5,400typical miles a year
3.7×the usual rate for wipers

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1999 Toyota Previa?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1999 Toyota Previa than on all cars registered in 1999.

  • Wipers3.7× usual
    Toyota Previa
    16.8% All 1999 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.7%, against 3.2% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.2× usual
    Toyota Previa
    18.4% All 1999 cars
    8.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.7%, against 4.4% of all 1999 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.

Common 1999 Toyota Previa MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1999 Toyota Previa MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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.

  • Brakes
    36% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    28% 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
    28% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Tyres
    27% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    27% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1999 Toyota Previa

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

  1. Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 1999 Toyota Previa as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 1999 Toyota Previa as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Toyota Previa?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Toyota Previa compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2025–Too new for MOT data
2017–Too few tests
2015108Lights and electrics 35%
2013164Suspension 38%
2012135Suspension 41%
20061,566Suspension 58%
20051,998Suspension 61%
20042,203Suspension 62%
20031,912Suspension 62%
20021,361Suspension 62%
20011,335Suspension 62%
2000518Suspension 64%
1998280Suspension 44%
1997294Suspension 41%
1996295Suspension 50%
1995211Suspension 50%
1994109Brakes 40%
1993111Suspension 48%
1992–Too few tests
1991–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Toyota Previa cars first registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score