Used car guide

2002 Toyota Landcruiser: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Toyota Landcruisers, from 473 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 473 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

473MOT tests in 2025
65%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
7,300typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Toyota Landcruisers than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Chassis rust or damage3.1× usual
    Toyota Landcruiser
    13.7% All 2002 cars
    4.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.4% of all 2002 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 bushes4.1× usual
    Toyota Landcruiser
    9.5% All 2002 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.5% of all 2002 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

Engine oil leaks: 8.2% here, against 17.1% of all 2002 cars. Brake discs: 5.9% here, against 12.8% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 Toyota Landcruiser MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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.

  • 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.

  • Brakes
    32% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    25% 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
    18% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    12% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Toyota Landcruiser?

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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%
2001452Suspension 45%
2000379Suspension 47%
1999428Suspension 43%
1998389Suspension 47%
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 2002 Toyota Landcruisers registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score