Used car guide

2007 Toyota Alphard: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2007 Toyota Alphards, from 1,637 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,637MOT tests in 2025
73%pass first time (all 2007 cars: 57%)
4,200typical miles a year
7.8×the usual rate for steering swivel joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2007 Toyota Alphards than on all cars registered in 2007.

  • Steering swivel joints7.8× usual
    Toyota Alphard
    9.3% All 2007 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.2% of all 2007 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.

  • Rear fog light4.5× usual
    Toyota Alphard
    4.5% All 2007 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1% of all 2007 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.

  • Sub-frame bushes4.5× usual
    Toyota Alphard
    2.7% All 2007 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.1% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 1.5% here, against 11.2% of all 2007 cars. Coil springs: 2% here, against 11.7% of all 2007 cars.

By area

The share of 2007 Toyota Alphard MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    35% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    24% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    23% 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.

  • Brakes
    18% 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
    7% 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
    5% 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?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20081,182Suspension 32%
20061,421Suspension 37%
2005909Suspension 42%
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 2007 Toyota Alphards registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score