Used car guide

1997 Toyota Landcruiser: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1997 Toyota Landcruisers, from 433 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 433 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

433MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 1997 cars: 67%)
6,300typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1997 Toyota Landcruisers than on all cars registered in 1997.

  • Chassis rust or damage2.6× usual
    Toyota Landcruiser
    15.9% All 1997 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 2.1% of all 1997 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.

  • Brake pads2.3× usual
    Toyota Landcruiser
    9.2% All 1997 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.8% of all 1997 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 1997 Toyota Landcruiser MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    40% 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
    39% 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
    29% 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
    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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2012110Suspension 25%
2011180Brakes 32%
2010316Suspension 35%
2009144Suspension 36%
2008182Suspension 31%
2007329Suspension 48%
2006429Suspension 46%
2005524Suspension 42%
2004638Suspension 42%
2003522Suspension 42%
2002473Suspension 44%
2001452Suspension 45%
2000379Suspension 47%
1999428Suspension 43%
1998389Suspension 47%
1996149Suspension 35%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1997 Toyota Landcruisers registered in 1997. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score