Used car guide

2021 Toyota Estima: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Toyota Estimas, from 361 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 361 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

361MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
25,300typical miles a year
23.2×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2021 Toyota Estimas than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Number plate lights23.2× usual
    Toyota Estima
    13.9% All 2021 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 0.2% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Headlights34× usual
    Toyota Estima
    13.6% All 2021 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 0.4% of all 2021 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 Estima
    10% All 2021 cars
    0%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0% of all 2021 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.

  • Brake pads2.2× usual
    Toyota Estima
    15.2% All 2021 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1.2% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

By area

The share of 2021 Toyota Estima MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    34% 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
    32% 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
    32% 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.

  • Steering
    8% 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.

  • 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.

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%
20111,311Suspension 32%
20101,722Suspension 32%
20091,642Suspension 31%
20081,310Suspension 38%
2007946Suspension 39%
2006884Suspension 37%
2005192Suspension 48%
2004187Suspension 51%
2003132Suspension 60%
2002108Suspension 65%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2021 Toyota Estimas registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score