Used car guide

2001 Toyota Previa: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Toyota Previas, from 360 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 360 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

360MOT tests in 2025

55%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)

6,200typical miles a year

3.6×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Toyota Previas than on all cars registered in 2001.

Coil springs3.6× usual

Toyota Previa
35% All 2001 cars
9.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 1.8% of all 2001 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.
Headlights3.2× usual

Toyota Previa
29.2% All 2001 cars
9.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 3.5% of all 2001 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.
Suspension arm bushes and joints3× usual

Toyota Previa
22.2% All 2001 cars
7.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1.5% of all 2001 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.
Engine oil leaks1.9× usual

Toyota Previa
31.9% All 2001 cars
17.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.4% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.
Brake pads2.4× usual

Toyota Previa
13.6% All 2001 cars
5.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 1.2% of all 2001 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 2001 Toyota Previa MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

63% 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

48% 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

45% 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.
Oil and fluid leaks

34% 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

30% 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.
Exhaust and emissions

23% 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

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2006	461	Suspension 60%
2005	577	Suspension 62%
2004	647	Suspension 65%
2003	550	Suspension 64%
2002	386	Suspension 65%
2000	132	Suspension 71%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Toyota Previas registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score