Used car guide

2018 Toyota Alphard: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Toyota Alphards, from 397 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 397 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

397MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
13,300typical miles a year
5.3×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Toyota Alphards than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints5.3× usual
    Toyota Alphard
    16.9% All 2018 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.5% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Headlights11.5× usual
    Toyota Alphard
    12.6% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Steering swivel jointsnull× usual
    Toyota Alphard
    8.1% All 2018 cars
    0%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0% of all 2018 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.

  • Engine oil leaks6.6× usual
    Toyota Alphard
    9.3% All 2018 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Coil springs4.5× usual
    Toyota Alphard
    7.6% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 1.3% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

By area

The share of 2018 Toyota Alphard MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    39% 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
    28% 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
    28% 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
    25% 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
    10% 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
    10% 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
2021410Suspension 37%
2020482Suspension 36%
2019390Suspension 36%
2017453Suspension 42%
2016385Suspension 42%
2015314Suspension 39%
2014237Suspension 23%
2013343Suspension 19%
2012394Suspension 21%
2011206Suspension 25%
2010461Suspension 27%
2009342Suspension 22%
20081,182Suspension 32%
20071,637Suspension 35%
20061,421Suspension 37%
2005909Suspension 42%
2004873Suspension 42%
2003503Suspension 42%
2002185Suspension 40%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Toyota Alphards registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score