2020 Toyota Estima: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Toyota Estima?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Toyota Estima than on all cars registered in 2020.

• Headlights28× usual
  Toyota Estima

  14% All 2020 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 0.5% of all 2020 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 jointsnull× usual
  Toyota Estima

  9% All 2020 cars

  0%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0% of all 2020 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 light43× usual
  Toyota Estima

  8.6% All 2020 cars

  0.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 0.1% of all 2020 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.

• Number plate lights13.7× usual
  Toyota Estima

  8.2% All 2020 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 0.2% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Brake pads2× usual
  Toyota Estima

  15.1% All 2020 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.4% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

Common 2020 Toyota Estima MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Toyota Estima MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  32% 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
  30% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  27% 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.

• Brakes
  21% 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
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Steering
  7% of testsRough price £100–£450

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Toyota Estima

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

1. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 28× as often on the 2020 Toyota Estima as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the steering swivel joints? (Flagged at MOT null× as often on the 2020 Toyota Estima as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the rear fog light? (Flagged at MOT 43× as often on the 2020 Toyota Estima as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?