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Toyota Alphard reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 35,294 MOT tests of cars first registered 2003–2010.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
73.3%pass first time
+16.4 ptsvs typical car
Beats 96%of cars
35,294MOT tests

Verdict

The Toyota Alphard passes its MOT first time on 73.3% of tests, 16.4 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (56.9%). That puts it ahead of 96% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2010 Alphard does best (beats 99% of cars) and the 2003 worst (beats 92%).

Of its engines, the 2.4 Hybrid does best (beats 98%) and the 2.4 Petrol worst (beats 96%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, suspension, tyres.

Watch these weak spots

Rear fog light5.3×as often as a typical car
Ball joint dust covers1.8×as often as a typical car
Switch31.8×as often as a typical car
Axle bushes & swivel pins6.9×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%131415161718192075%76%75%75%74%73%73%70%
Toyota AlphardTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2003
Beats 92%
2004
Beats 94%
2005
Beats 96%
2006
Beats 97%
2007
Beats 98%
2008
Beats 97%
2010
Beats 99%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol2003–201018,57772.2%Beats 96%A
3.0 Petrol2003–20078,77173.0%Beats 96%A
2.4 Hybrid2004–20087,94676.0%Beats 98%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 1.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 8.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 16.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 14.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 20.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 5.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 4.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 12.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 14.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 20.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+6.4 ptsTyres: 5.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+2.0 ptsBrakes: 4.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 12.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+8.1 ptsSuspension: 8.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 16.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+8.1 ptsExhaust: 1.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+4.6 ptsSuspension: 8.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 16.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 4.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 12.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 5.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 14.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 20.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 1.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 14.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 20.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+6.4 ptsTyres: 5.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+2.0 ptsBrakes: 4.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 12.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+8.1 ptsSuspension: 8.4% of tests fail on suspension, against 16.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+8.1 ptsExhaust: 1.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+4.6 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 5.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
14.5% vs 20.9%
Suspension
8.4% vs 16.6%
Tyres
5.1% vs 7.1%
Visibility
4.3% vs 7.3%
Brakes
4.1% vs 12.2%
Body & structure
2.2% vs 7.9%
Emissions & leaks
1.9% vs 6.4%
Steering
1.0% vs 3.6%
Seat belts & airbags
0.8% vs 2.4%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Axle bushes & swivel pins 6.9× typical
    On most modern cars this MOT item means the rear axle bushes: listen for knocks from the back over bumps and look for split rubber where the rear axle meets the body.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k79%77%74%72%70%66%
Toyota AlphardTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Rear fog light5.7%1.1%5.3×
Ball joint dust covers4.3%2.4%1.8×
Headlight aim3.7%6.0%0.6×
Tyre damage & cracking3.5%4.1%0.9×
Windscreen wipers3.0%3.3%0.9×
Sidelights2.7%5.7%0.5×
Brake pads2.2%2.0%1.1×
Brake lights2.1%4.5%0.5×
Tyre tread depth1.8%3.1%0.6×
Headlight bulbs & units1.7%4.5%0.4×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc47.2
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning45.4
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements37.5
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen29.5
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning23.7
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn22.4
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm20.7
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning19.8
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2010 Toyota Alphard1 engine78.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol1,03978.0%Beats 99%A
2008 Toyota Alphard2 engines75.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol2,79774.7%Beats 97%A
2.4 Hybrid1,32976.4%Beats 97%A
2007 Toyota Alphard3 engines75.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol3,50374.1%Beats 97%A
2.4 Hybrid2,00678.5%Beats 99%A
3.0 Petrol1,82276.5%Beats 98%A
2006 Toyota Alphard3 engines74.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol3,21074.1%Beats 97%A
2.4 Hybrid2,05876.2%Beats 98%A
3.0 Petrol1,81173.4%Beats 96%A
2005 Toyota Alphard3 engines72.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol2,74972.0%Beats 96%A
3.0 Petrol1,64870.8%Beats 94%A
2.4 Hybrid1,35673.5%Beats 96%A
2004 Toyota Alphard3 engines70.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol3,05168.1%Beats 91%A
3.0 Petrol2,06572.1%Beats 96%A
2.4 Hybrid1,19773.6%Beats 96%A
2003 Toyota Alphard2 engines68.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.4 Petrol2,22866.8%Beats 89%A
3.0 Petrol1,42571.9%Beats 96%A

FAQ

What is the Toyota Alphard MOT pass rate?

73.3% of MOT tests on the Toyota Alphard were passed first time, based on 35,294 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2003–2010. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 56.9% of the time.

Is the Toyota Alphard reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 96% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Toyota Alphard year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2010 Alphard does best for its age and mileage: it beats 99% of cars on UK roads. The 2003 does worst: it beats 92%.

Which Toyota Alphard engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.4 Hybrid does best: it beats 98% of cars on UK roads. The 2.4 Petrol does worst: it beats 96%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Toyota Alphard?

The most common failure items are rear fog light, ball joint dust covers, headlight aim. Compared with similar cars, rear fog light comes up 5.3× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.