Used car guide

2001 Toyota Land Cruiser: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Toyota Land Cruisers, from 519 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

519MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
7,300typical miles a year
3.7×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link bushes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Toyota Land Cruisers than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes3.7× usual
    Toyota Land Cruiser
    10.8% All 2001 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.6% of all 2001 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.

  • Chassis rust or damage2.6× usual
    Toyota Land Cruiser
    12.7% All 2001 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.6% of all 2001 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 bushes and joints2.9× usual
    Toyota Land Cruiser
    5.8% All 2001 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.4% of all 2001 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.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 4.8% here, against 14.2% of all 2001 cars. Brake discs: 4.6% here, against 12.1% of all 2001 cars.

By area

The share of 2001 Toyota Land Cruiser MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    47% 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
    34% 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
    23% 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.

  • Tyres
    16% 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
    14% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022693Tyres 11%
2019589Brakes 18%
2018598Tyres 15%
2016590Brakes 17%
2015715Brakes 21%
2014664Brakes 24%
2007637Suspension 45%
2006693Suspension 44%
20051,006Suspension 45%
2004939Suspension 46%
2003713Suspension 46%
2002526Suspension 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Toyota Land Cruisers registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score