Used car guide

2003 Toyota Previa: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Toyota Previas, from 550 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

550MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
6,500typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Toyota Previas than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Headlights3.3× usual
    Toyota Previa
    40% All 2003 cars
    12.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.6%, against 4.4% of all 2003 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 springs3.4× usual
    Toyota Previa
    35.6% All 2003 cars
    10.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 2.1% of all 2003 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints3× usual
    Toyota Previa
    26.2% All 2003 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.8% of all 2003 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 leaks2× usual
    Toyota Previa
    32.4% All 2003 cars
    16.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.4% of all 2003 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.

  • Chassis rust or damage4× usual
    Toyota Previa
    15.8% All 2003 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 1.2% of all 2003 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.

By area

The share of 2003 Toyota Previa MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    64% 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
    57% 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
    46% 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
    33% 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.

  • 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.

Looking at a Toyota Previa?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005577Suspension 62%
2004647Suspension 65%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Toyota Previas registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score