1998 Toyota Previa — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 755 MOT tests analysed for the 1998 Toyota Previa, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 72.5% was below the average for cars of a similar age (76.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.4% in the 150k+ group versus 18.2% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.6% | 125 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.7% | 88 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.5% | 87 |
| 4 | Visibility | 10.3% | 78 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.8% | 74 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 68 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 86 |
| 2 | Wipers | 76 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 71 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 59 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 57 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 42 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 34.7% | 262 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.3% | 236 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.6% | 193 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 23.8% | 180 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.2% | 130 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.0% | 113 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 33 | 18.2% |
| 60-90k | 69 | 21.7% |
| 90-120k | 173 | 26.0% |
| 120-150k | 239 | 28.9% |
| 150k+ | 237 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 227 | 26.0% |
| 2022 | 187 | 29.9% |
| 2023 | 139 | 27.3% |
| 2024 | 105 | 25.7% |
| 2025 | 97 | 28.9% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Previa
Before buying a 1998 Toyota Previa, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 16.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (16.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (11.5% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1998 Toyota Previas pass their MOT?
72.5% of the 755 1998 Toyota Previa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Toyota Previa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.6% of tests, followed by suspension (11.7%).
Does the 1998 Previa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.2% in the 30-60k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 755 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.