Used car guide

2001 Toyota Land Cruiser diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Toyota Land Cruiser first registered in 2001 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 1,423 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,423MOTs of 2001 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
63%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 60%)
7,600typical miles a year
3×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 Toyota Land Cruiser diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 Toyota Land Cruiser diesel than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Chassis rust or damage3× usual
    Toyota Land Cruiser
    13.4% All 2001 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.6% of all 2001 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 bushes3.3× usual
    Toyota Land Cruiser
    9.5% All 2001 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.6% of all 2001 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.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints3.3× usual
    Toyota Land Cruiser
    6.6% All 2001 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.4% of all 2001 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.

  • Wheel bearings2× usual
    Toyota Land Cruiser
    8.5% All 2001 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 1.1% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Handbrake performance3.4× usual
    Toyota Land Cruiser
    3.4% All 2001 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 7.7% here, against 16.1% of all 2001 cars. Brake discs: 3.9% here, against 12.2% of all 2001 cars.

Common 2001 Toyota Land Cruiser diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 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
    45% 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
    34% 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
    33% 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
    23% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    12% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2001 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 3× as often on the 2001 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 3.3× as often on the 2001 Toyota Land Cruiser diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2001 Toyota Land Cruiser diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Toyota Land Cruiser?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Toyota Land Cruiser compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
2022972Tyres 12%
2021929Brakes 13%
20201,233Brakes 16%
20191,781Brakes 16%
20181,790Brakes 18%
20171,288Tyres 17%
20161,763Brakes 18%
20152,078Brakes 20%
20141,969Brakes 22%
2013925Brakes 26%
2012872Brakes 27%
2011775Suspension 27%
2010880Brakes 32%
2009782Suspension 35%
20081,240Suspension 40%
20072,013Suspension 42%
20062,298Suspension 43%
20053,288Suspension 45%
20043,121Suspension 45%
20032,386Suspension 45%
20021,664Suspension 47%
20001,199Suspension 43%
19991,275Suspension 47%
19981,234Suspension 41%
19971,173Suspension 41%
1996649Brakes 32%
1995520Lights and electrics 34%
1994580Brakes 33%
1993469Suspension 30%
1992224Suspension 33%
1991109Suspension 40%
1990106Lights and electrics 30%
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1983–Too few tests
1982–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Toyota Land Cruiser cars first registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score