Toyota 4-Runner (1996)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 37 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,806

£234/month

MOT Pass Rate

65%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 30-42

2982cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

65% pass rate, £2,806/year to run. 17 points below average.

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Diesel2982cc30 years old37 tests159k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2982cc)

~40 mpg

£1,676

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,806

Per month£234/mo

Per week£54/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

65% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 17 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Toyota brand average of 84%.

65% of MOT tests on Toyota 4-Runners from 1996 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 28 years old. That's based on 37 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 159,196 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 models220th of 243(bottom 10%)

Rank among Toyota models958th of 970(bottom 2%)

vs average of all models-17%(82% avg)

vs 1996 models average-10%(75% avg)

vs Toyota average-19%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

159,196

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1996 Toyota 4-Runner had 159,196 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Toyota 4-Runner by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2017	91%	43	47,447 mi
2003	73%	44	200,781 mi
1996	65%	37	159,196 mi
1995	85%	40	152,222 mi
1994	76%	111	128,464 mi
1993	86%	36	134,735 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Land Rover Defender

1997 · 2500cc Diesel

£2,606/year

76%

+11%

Land Rover Discovery

1998 · 2499cc Diesel

£2,606/year

77%

+12%

Talbot Express

1994 · 2500cc Diesel

£2,806/year

68%

+3%

Daihatsu Fourtrak

1998 · 2765cc Diesel

£2,606/year

71%

+6%

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About the 1996 Toyota 4-Runner

The 1996 Toyota 4-Runner is a large car. Our records list a 2982cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 37 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 10% of 1996 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 159,196 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Toyota 4-Runner owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1996 Toyota 4-Runner Fuel Costs

The 2982cc diesel engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,676 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 1996 Toyota 4-Runner?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,806 (£234/month), broken down as £1,676 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 65% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Buying a Used 1996 Toyota 4-Runner

At 30 years old, the Toyota 4-Runner is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. Note: with only 37 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 159k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 65% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1996 Toyota 4-Runner stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Toyota 4-Runner(1996)	65%	£1,676	£375	Grp 30-42	£2,806
Land Rover Defender(1997)	76%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,606-£200
Land Rover Discovery(1998)	77%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,606-£200
Talbot Express(1994)	68%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,806same
Daihatsu Fourtrak(1998)	71%	£1,676	£375	Grp 30-42	£2,606-£200

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1996 Toyota 4-Runner

Is the 1996 Toyota 4-Runner reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 65% of MOT tests on 1996 Toyota 4-Runners ended in a pass, from 37 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 17 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1996 Toyota 4-Runner cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,806 a year (£234 a month): £1,676 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 Toyota 4-Runner?

65% of 37 MOT tests on the 1996 Toyota 4-Runner ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 220th of 243 models first registered in 1996 (bottom 10%).

What is the average mileage for a 1996 Toyota 4-Runner?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1996 Toyota 4-Runner is 159,196 miles, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.