Used car guide

2011 Toyota Estima: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Toyota Estimas, from 1,311 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,311MOT tests in 2025
75%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
6,500typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Toyota Estimas than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Headlights2.2× usual
    Toyota Estima
    12.7% All 2011 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 3.2% of all 2011 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 joints7.7× usual
    Toyota Estima
    6.9% All 2011 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.2% of all 2011 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 light7× usual
    Toyota Estima
    6.3% All 2011 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 0.8% of all 2011 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.5× usual
    Toyota Estima
    7.8% All 2011 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 1.3% of all 2011 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.

  • Link ball joint covers2.6× usual
    Toyota Estima
    6.9% All 2011 cars
    2.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.6% of all 2011 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.

Better than most

Brake discs: 6.3% here, against 14.5% of all 2011 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4% here, against 10.8% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Toyota Estima 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    27% 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
    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.

  • Brakes
    19% 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.

  • Steering
    6% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Looking at a Toyota Estima?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020524Suspension 32%
2019738Suspension 28%
2018769Suspension 23%
2017990Suspension 22%
20161,055Suspension 29%
2015938Suspension 28%
20141,404Suspension 26%
20131,709Suspension 27%
20121,895Suspension 27%
20101,722Suspension 32%
20091,642Suspension 31%
20081,310Suspension 38%
2007946Suspension 39%
2006884Suspension 37%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Toyota Estimas registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score