Used car guide

2005 Toyota Previa: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Toyota Previas, from 577 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

577MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
7,000typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Toyota Previas than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Coil springs2.7× usual
    Toyota Previa
    28.8% All 2005 cars
    10.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 2.6% of all 2005 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 joints2.4× usual
    Toyota Previa
    26% All 2005 cars
    10.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 2.3% of all 2005 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.

  • Headlights2× usual
    Toyota Previa
    29.1% All 2005 cars
    14.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 4.9% of all 2005 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.

  • Steering swivel joints8.9× usual
    Toyota Previa
    10.7% All 2005 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.2% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Brake lights2.2× usual
    Toyota Previa
    12.1% All 2005 cars
    5.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.1%, against 4.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

By area

The share of 2005 Toyota Previa MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    62% 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
    49% 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
    42% 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.

  • 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    26% 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
    15% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2004647Suspension 65%
2003550Suspension 64%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Toyota Previas registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score