Used car guide

1998 Toyota Landcruiser: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1998 Toyota Landcruisers, from 389 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 389 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

389MOT tests in 2025
67%pass first time (all 1998 cars: 66%)
6,400typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

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

  • Chassis rust or damage2.8× usual
    Toyota Landcruiser
    16.5% All 1998 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, 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 bushes4.8× usual
    Toyota Landcruiser
    11.1% All 1998 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, 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.

  • Number plate lights2.4× usual
    Toyota Landcruiser
    11.8% All 1998 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 1.2% of all 1998 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.3× usual
    Toyota Landcruiser
    8.2% 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 Landcruiser 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
    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
    33% 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
    26% 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
    19% 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
    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.

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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%
1997433Suspension 40%
1996149Suspension 35%

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