Used car guide

2005 Toyota Alphard: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Toyota Alphards, from 909 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

909MOT tests in 2025
69%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
4,300typical miles a year
9.1×the usual rate for steering swivel joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Toyota Alphards than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Steering swivel joints9.1× usual
    Toyota Alphard
    10.9% All 2005 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.2% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Link ball joint covers2.4× usual
    Toyota Alphard
    7.3% All 2005 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.7% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Rear fog light3.8× usual
    Toyota Alphard
    5% All 2005 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 1.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 2.8% here, against 14.9% of all 2005 cars. Engine oil leaks: 6.3% here, against 14.5% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 Toyota Alphard MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    42% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    31% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    26% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    7% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Toyota Alphard?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20081,182Suspension 32%
20071,637Suspension 35%
20061,421Suspension 37%
2004873Suspension 42%
2003503Suspension 42%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Toyota Alphards registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score