Used car guide

2006 Toyota Previa: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Toyota Previas, from 461 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 461 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

461MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
7,400typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Toyota Previas than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Coil springs2.6× usual
    Toyota Previa
    29.5% All 2006 cars
    11.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 3% of all 2006 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 joints2.5× usual
    Toyota Previa
    28.2% All 2006 cars
    11.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.3% of all 2006 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.

  • Steering swivel joints7.1× usual
    Toyota Previa
    10% All 2006 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.2% of all 2006 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× usual
    Toyota Previa
    11.7% All 2006 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.5%, against 4.6% of all 2006 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.

  • Chassis rust or damage2.3× usual
    Toyota Previa
    7.2% All 2006 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.9% of all 2006 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 2006 Toyota Previa MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    60% 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
    46% 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
    44% 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
    32% 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
    23% 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
    16% 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
2005577Suspension 62%
2004647Suspension 65%
2003550Suspension 64%
2002386Suspension 65%
2001360Suspension 63%
2000132Suspension 71%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Toyota Previas registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score