2008 Toyota Alphard: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Toyota Alphard?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Toyota Alphard than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Steering swivel joints5.5× usual
  Toyota Alphard

  6% All 2008 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.2% of all 2008 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.

• Rear fog light5.3× usual
  Toyota Alphard

  5.3% All 2008 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 0.9% of all 2008 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.

• Link ball joint covers1.9× usual
  Toyota Alphard

  6.3% All 2008 cars

  3.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.8% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Sub-frame bushes4× usual
  Toyota Alphard

  2% All 2008 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Common 2008 Toyota Alphard MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Toyota Alphard MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  28% 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.

• Tyres
  21% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  19% 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
  15% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  5% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Driveshafts and joints
  3% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Toyota Alphard

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the steering swivel joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.5× as often on the 2008 Toyota Alphard as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the rear fog light? (Flagged at MOT 5.3× as often on the 2008 Toyota Alphard as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2008 Toyota Alphard as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?