Used car guide

1998 Toyota Land Cruiser: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1998 Toyota Land Cruisers, from 380 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 380 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

380MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 1998 cars: 66%)
6,500typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1998 Toyota Land Cruisers than on all cars registered in 1998.

  • Chassis rust or damage2.5× usual
    Toyota Land Cruiser
    14.5% All 1998 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 2% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes3.7× usual
    Toyota Land Cruiser
    8.4% All 1998 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.5% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.4× usual
    Toyota Land Cruiser
    8.4% All 1998 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 1.1% of all 1998 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.

By area

The share of 1998 Toyota Land Cruiser MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    41% 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.

  • Brakes
    34% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Rust and bodywork
    24% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    15% 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.

  • Tyres
    12% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022950Tyres 12%
2021461Brakes 15%
2020419Brakes 20%
2019591Brakes 18%
2018598Tyres 15%
2017443Brakes 17%
2016590Brakes 17%
2015715Brakes 21%
2014664Brakes 24%
2013323Brakes 27%
2012287Brakes 26%
2011263Suspension 28%
2010292Brakes 32%
2009248Suspension 38%
2008400Suspension 42%
2007637Suspension 45%
2006693Suspension 44%
20051,006Suspension 45%
2004939Suspension 46%
2003713Suspension 46%
2002526Suspension 45%
2001519Suspension 47%
2000349Suspension 44%
1999391Suspension 47%
1997351Suspension 40%
1996203Suspension 35%
1995170Lights and electrics 34%
1994183Suspension 33%
1993158Suspension 31%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1998 Toyota Land Cruisers registered in 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score