Used car guide

2003 Toyota Land Cruiser: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Toyota Land Cruisers, from 713 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

713MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
7,300typical miles a year
3.9×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

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

  • Chassis rust or damage3.9× usual
    Toyota Land Cruiser
    15.4% All 2003 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 1.2% of all 2003 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2× usual
    Toyota Land Cruiser
    13.3% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints3.1× usual
    Toyota Land Cruiser
    5.5% All 2003 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.4% of all 2003 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes2.8× usual
    Toyota Land Cruiser
    5.6% All 2003 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.5% of all 2003 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.

  • Wheel bearings2× usual
    Toyota Land Cruiser
    7.6% All 2003 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 1.3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

Better than most

Tread depth: 7.9% here, against 17.4% of all 2003 cars. Tyre condition: 6.2% here, against 14.8% of all 2003 cars.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    46% 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
    38% 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
    36% 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.

  • Tyres
    14% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    14% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

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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%
2002526Suspension 45%
2001519Suspension 47%

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