2004 Toyota Previa — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,398 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Toyota Previa, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 72.8% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.3% in the 150k+ group versus 11.5% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.8% | 1,174 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.2% | 604 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.0% | 541 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.2% | 498 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.0% | 486 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.4% | 347 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 721 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 469 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 390 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 381 |
| 5 | Wipers | 275 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 265 |
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 | 54.6% | 2,948 |
| 2 | Brakes | 39.0% | 2,104 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 28.1% | 1,516 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 26.2% | 1,414 |
| 5 | Tyres | 25.8% | 1,393 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.3% | 1,203 |
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 | 96 | 11.5% |
| 60-90k | 449 | 19.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,117 | 24.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,758 | 28.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,966 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,528 | 27.6% |
| Diesel | 863 | 25.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,346 | 26.6% |
| 2022 | 1,203 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 1,050 | 26.7% |
| 2024 | 971 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 828 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Previa
Before buying a 2004 Toyota Previa, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 21.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (21.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.2% 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 (10.0% 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 2004 Toyota Previas pass their MOT?
72.8% of the 5,398 2004 Toyota Previa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Toyota Previa?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.8% of tests, followed by suspension (11.2%).
Does the 2004 Previa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.5% in the 30-60k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,398 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.