1997 Toyota Land Cruiser diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser diesel than on all cars registered in 1997.

• Chassis rust or damage2.4× usual
  Toyota Land Cruiser

  14.4% All 1997 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 2% of all 1997 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.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes3× usual
  Toyota Land Cruiser

  7% All 1997 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.5% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Seat belts2.5× usual
  Toyota Land Cruiser

  5.6% All 1997 cars

  2.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.6% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock and retract smoothly.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints2.4× usual
  Toyota Land Cruiser

  4.1% All 1997 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.3% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Common 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  42% 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.

• Brakes
  31% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  28% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Rust and bodywork
  24% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

• Tyres
  15% 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
  14% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the seat belts? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?