At a Glance
The Toyota Estima has 8 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the Mk1 XR10/XR20 (1990-2000) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 163K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Toyota Estima common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Toyota Estima generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Toyota Estima Generations
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Most Common Toyota Estima MOT Failures
Every reason Toyota Estima vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 8.86% |
| 2 | Number plate lamp not working | 6.67% |
| 3 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 6.56% |
| 4 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 6.14% |
| 5 | Ball joint dust cover split | 4.90% |
| 6 | Stop lamp not working | 4.64% |
| 7 | Front lamp not working | 4.34% |
| 8 | Brake pads or linings worn | 4.33% |
| 9 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.18% |
| 10 | Exhaust system fault | 4.01% |
| 11 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 3.74% |
| 12 | Tyre condition | 3.68% |
| 13 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 3.31% |
| 14 | Headlamp fault | 3.06% |
| 15 | Position lamp not working | 3.06% |
| 16 | Driveshaft fault | 2.83% |
| 17 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.32% |
| 18 | Fog lamp not working | 2.31% |
| 19 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.05% |
| 20 | Rear fog lamp not working | 1.73% |
| 21 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.48% |
| 22 | Seat belt condition | 1.37% |
| 23 | Indicator fault | 1.25% |
| 24 | Rear lamp not working | 0.94% |
| 25 | Brake disc or drum worn | 0.77% |
| 26 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.74% |
| 27 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.69% |
| 28 | Track rod end worn | 0.58% |
| 29 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.57% |
| 30 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.47% |
| 31 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.40% |
| 32 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.37% |
| 33 | Parking brake condition | 0.37% |
| 34 | Steering rack fault | 0.35% |
| 35 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.33% |
| 36 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.30% |
| 37 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.29% |
| 38 | Horn not working | 0.26% |
| 39 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.26% |
| 40 | ABS fault | 0.25% |
| 41 | Front suspension fault | 0.25% |
| 42 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.21% |
| 43 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.21% |
| 44 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.19% |
| 45 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.19% |
| 46 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.19% |
| 47 | Electrical switch fault | 0.18% |
| 48 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.16% |
| 49 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.16% |
| 50 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.15% |
| 51 | Brake pedal fault | 0.14% |
| 52 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.14% |
| 53 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.13% |
| 54 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.13% |
| 55 | Chassis condition | 0.11% |
| 56 | Brake caliper fault | 0.11% |
| 57 | Brake fluid leak | 0.11% |
| 58 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.10% |
| 59 | Engine oil leak | 0.10% |
| 60 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.10% |
| 61 | Steering lock fault | 0.09% |
| 62 | Spare wheel fault | 0.09% |
| 63 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.08% |
| 64 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.08% |
| 65 | Rear suspension fault | 0.07% |
| 66 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.07% |
| 67 | Suspension unit fault | 0.07% |
| 68 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.06% |
| 69 | CV joint worn | 0.06% |
| 70 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.06% |
| 71 | Airbag warning light on | 0.06% |
| 72 | Steering arm worn | 0.06% |
| 73 | Steering column fault | 0.05% |
| 74 | Steering free play excessive | 0.05% |
| 75 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.05% |
| 76 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Propshaft fault | 0.04% |
| 78 | Brake lever fault | 0.04% |
| 79 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.04% |
| 80 | Steering operation fault | 0.04% |
| 81 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.04% |
| 82 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.04% |
| 83 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.04% |
| 84 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | Passenger seat fault | 0.03% |
| 86 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 87 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.03% |
| 88 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.03% |
| 89 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 90 | Drag link end worn | 0.03% |
| 91 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.03% |
| 92 | Power steering ram fault | 0.03% |
| 93 | Axle corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 94 | Steering drive system fault | 0.03% |
| 95 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 96 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 98 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 99 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 100 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Steering lock stop fault | 0.02% |
| 103 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.02% |
| 104 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.01% |
| 105 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 107 | Driver seat fault | 0.01% |
| 108 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.01% |
| 109 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.01% |
| 110 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.01% |
| 111 | Transmission oil leak | 0.01% |
| 112 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.01% |
| 113 | Towbar fault | 0.01% |
| 114 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Subframe corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 117 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 118 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 119 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 120 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 121 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 122 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 123 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 124 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 133 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 135 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 136 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Driver airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 140 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 141 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 143 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 146 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 147 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 149 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 150 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 153 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 155 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 157 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 158 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 161 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 162 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 163 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 166 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 171 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 172 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 173 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 174 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 174 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Toyota Estima MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Toyota Estima, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Toyota Estima problems?
Based on analysis of 163K Toyota Estima MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 8 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Fog lamp not working". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Toyota Estima generation has the most problems?
The Toyota Estima Mk1 XR10/XR20 (1990-2000) (1990–2000) has the highest number of identified common problems (9). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Toyota Estima?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Toyota Estima owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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