Toyota Landcruiser MOT Failures

An analysis of 51,562 real DVSA MOT tests on the Toyota Landcruiser — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.

Where the Toyota Landcruiser fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Toyota Landcruiser is suspension component damaged or corroded — this model is 48 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 51,562 MOT tests, 10.3% of all Toyota Landcruiser tests recorded this as a failure.

Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.

Other notable weak points include vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (35x the fleet average), wheel bearings worn (30x the fleet average), body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point (12x the fleet average), and abs fault (31x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Toyota Landcruiser'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 2 categories: Suspension, Bodywork. If you're inspecting a Toyota Landcruiser 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.

How failures change with mileage

The Toyota Landcruiser's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.

Under 60,000 miles

At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.

For the Toyota Landcruiser specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (35x the average) and structural corrosion (28x). suspension component damaged or corroded (12x) and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (12x) also appear frequently.

60,000 to 100,000 miles

This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.

For the Toyota Landcruiser specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension component damaged or corroded (48x the average) and wheel bearings worn (30x). body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point (12x) and anti-roll bar links worn (11x) also appear frequently.

Over 100,000 miles

High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.

For the Toyota Landcruiser specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are steering rack wear (49x the average) and towbar fault (26x). free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (17x) and wheel bearings worn (16x) also appear frequently.

The shift from vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... at lower mileages to steering rack wear at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.

What to check before buying a Toyota Landcruiser

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Toyota Landcruiser:

Suspension — check for suspension component damaged or corroded, wheel bearings worn, abs fault, anti-roll bar links worn. Bodywork — check for vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t..., body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point, structural corrosion, towbar fault.

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.

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.