Used car guide

2000 Toyota Previa: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2000 Toyota Previas, from 132 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 132 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

132MOT tests in 2025
52%pass first time (all 2000 cars: 63%)
5,900typical miles a year
4.6×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2000 Toyota Previas than on all cars registered in 2000.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints4.6× usual
    Toyota Previa
    29.5% All 2000 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.2% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Headlights3.9× usual
    Toyota Previa
    28.8% All 2000 cars
    7.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.6%, against 3.2% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Coil springs3.3× usual
    Toyota Previa
    28% All 2000 cars
    8.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.4% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Exhaust system2.4× usual
    Toyota Previa
    23.5% All 2000 cars
    9.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 2.5% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

By area

The share of 2000 Toyota Previa MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    71% 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
    57% 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
    50% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    40% 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
    33% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    30% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Toyota Previa?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006461Suspension 60%
2005577Suspension 62%
2004647Suspension 65%
2003550Suspension 64%
2002386Suspension 65%
2001360Suspension 63%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2000 Toyota Previas registered in 2000. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score