Toyota 4 Runner MOT Failures
An analysis of 461 real DVSA MOT tests on the Toyota 4 Runner — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the Toyota 4 Runner fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Toyota 4 Runner is obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or... — this model is 7.1 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it worth watching for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 461 MOT tests, 8.9% of all Toyota 4 Runner tests recorded this as a failure.
Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.
Other notable weak points include fluid leak (6.5x the fleet average) and brake hoses perished or damaged (6.4x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Toyota 4 Runner's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 3 categories: Lights & Electrics, Exhaust & Emissions, Brakes. If you're inspecting a Toyota 4 Runner before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
What to check before buying a Toyota 4 Runner
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Toyota 4 Runner:
Lights & Electrics — check for obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or.... Exhaust & Emissions — check for fluid leak. Brakes — check for brake hoses perished or damaged.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Toyota 4 Runner?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Toyota 4 Runner MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Toyota 4 Runner?
Based on 461 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or... — at 7x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include fluid leak and brake hoses perished or damaged.
Is the Toyota 4 Runner reliable based on MOT data?
The Toyota 4 Runner has 3 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or.... Always check a specific car's full history before buying.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Toyota 4 Runner most commonly fails on obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or... and fluid leak. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are .
How do I check a Toyota 4 Runner's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.