Used car guide

2008 Toyota Alphard: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Toyota Alphards, from 1,182 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,182MOT tests in 2025
77%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
4,600typical miles a year
6×the usual rate for steering swivel joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Toyota Alphards than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Steering swivel joints6× usual
    Toyota Alphard
    7.2% All 2008 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.2% of all 2008 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 light5.1× usual
    Toyota Alphard
    5.1% All 2008 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 0.9% of all 2008 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 bushes4.3× usual
    Toyota Alphard
    2.6% All 2008 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2008 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

Engine oil leaks: 2.4% here, against 12.5% of all 2008 cars. Brake discs: 6% here, against 14.8% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Toyota Alphard MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    32% 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
    22% 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
    20% 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
    17% 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
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    4% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Toyota Alphard?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20071,637Suspension 35%
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 2008 Toyota Alphards registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score