2004 Toyota Land Cruiser: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser than on all cars registered in 2004.

• Chassis rust or damage4.4× usual
  Toyota Land Cruiser

  15.7% All 2004 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.1% of all 2004 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.

• Number plate lights1.7× usual
  Toyota Land Cruiser

  13.4% All 2004 cars

  7.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 2.3% of all 2004 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints1.7× usual
  Toyota Land Cruiser

  11.7% All 2004 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 3% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Anti-roll bar link joints1.8× usual
  Toyota Land Cruiser

  7.3% All 2004 cars

  4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.5% of all 2004 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.

• Body structure rust or damage2× usual
  Toyota Land Cruiser

  5.9% All 2004 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.9% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

Common 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser 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
  37% 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
  36% 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
  22% 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
  16% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  12% 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 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser

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 4.4× as often on the 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?