What are the most common problems with a Toyota Alphard?

At MOT, steering swivel joints and link ball joint covers are flagged more often than on other cars the same age.

What should I ask the seller before buying a used Toyota Alphard?

Any recent work on the steering swivel joints? (Flagged at MOT 51× as often on the Toyota Alphard as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 76× as often on the Toyota Alphard as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the rear fog light? (Flagged at MOT 17.3× as often on the Toyota Alphard as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide · 2002–2026

Toyota Alphard common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Toyota Alphard, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 31,570 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 Toyota Alphard

Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Toyota Alphard as a whole.

194registered new in 2026 so far

2029first MOT due

Petrolmost common fuel (also petrol hybrid)

What to check on a 2026 car

Warranty left
Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.
Servicing
Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.
Finance
Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.
Recalls
Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.
Logbook (V5C)
The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002

What usually goes wrong with a Toyota Alphard?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Toyota Alphard in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Toyota Alphard MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Hybrid

Steering swivel joints
up to 59.5× usual

Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2017.

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 light
up to 17.7× usual

Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2017.

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.

Toyota Alphard MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2009 Toyota Alphard did best (81% passed first time, 22 points above all 2009 cars) and the 2020 did worst (68%, 19 points below all 2020 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

Year	Pass first time	All cars that year	MOT tests
2021	73%	87% -14	1,269
2020	68%	87% -19	1,410
2019	70%	85% -15	1,176
2018	71%	83% -12	1,286
2017	68%	80% -12	1,456
2016	68%	77% -9	1,238
2015	67%	74% -7	936
2014	77%	70% +7	493 (small sample)
2013	85%	67% +18	664
2012	82%	64% +18	846
2011	78%	62% +16	484 (small sample)
2010	78%	60% +18	1,154
2009	81%	59% +22	869
2008	77%	57% +20	3,185
2007	75%	57% +18	4,438
2006	75%	56% +19	3,981
2005	72%	57% +15	2,506
2004	69%	57% +12	2,383
2003	67%	57% +10	1,351
2002	71%	58% +13	445 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Toyota Alphard

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

Any recent work on the steering swivel joints? (Flagged at MOT 51× as often on the Toyota Alphard as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 76× as often on the Toyota Alphard as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the rear fog light? (Flagged at MOT 17.3× as often on the Toyota Alphard as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Toyota Alphard?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score