2006 Toyota Land Cruiser: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser than on all cars registered in 2006.

• Chassis rust or damage3.7× usual
  Toyota Land Cruiser

  10.4% All 2006 cars

  2.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.8% of all 2006 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 lights1.9× usual
  Toyota Land Cruiser

  15.8% All 2006 cars

  8.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 2.3% of all 2006 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) joints1.8× usual
  Toyota Land Cruiser

  12.8% All 2006 cars

  7.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 3.3% of all 2006 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 bushes3.7× usual
  Toyota Land Cruiser

  4.1% All 2006 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.3% of all 2006 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

  4% All 2006 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.3% of all 2006 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 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  43% 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.

• Tyres
  18% 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.

• Rust and bodywork
  18% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  13% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 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 3.7× as often on the 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?