Used car guide

2003 Toyota Estima: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Toyota Estimas, from 132 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 132 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

132MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
6,300typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Toyota Estimas than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Headlights2.4× usual
    Toyota Estima
    28.8% All 2003 cars
    12.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.1%, against 4.4% of all 2003 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.6× usual
    Toyota Estima
    22.7% All 2003 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 1.8% of all 2003 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.

By area

The share of 2003 Toyota Estima MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    60% 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
    44% 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
    40% 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.

  • Tyres
    36% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    27% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    11% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Toyota Estima?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021361Suspension 34%
2020524Suspension 32%
2019738Suspension 28%
2018769Suspension 23%
2017990Suspension 22%
20161,055Suspension 29%
2015938Suspension 28%
20141,404Suspension 26%
20131,709Suspension 27%
20121,895Suspension 27%
20111,311Suspension 32%
20101,722Suspension 32%
20091,642Suspension 31%
20081,310Suspension 38%
2007946Suspension 39%
2006884Suspension 37%
2005192Suspension 48%
2004187Suspension 51%
2002108Suspension 65%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Toyota Estimas registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score