Toyota Alphard Reliability: Common Problems and Years to Avoid
What the Toyota Alphard fails its MOT on, with rough repair costs, and how each model year's MOT pass rate compares with other cars of the same age. Based on 23,453 MOT tests across 21 model years (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Segment: large car | Fuel: Hybrid
85%
Toyota Alphard pass rate
84%
Toyota average
82%
All-model average
The Toyota Alphard has an average MOT pass rate of 85%, which is 1 point above the Toyota average and 3 points above the average across all models in our data. The Toyota Alphard has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.
Check Your Toyota Alphard's MOT History
Enter your reg plate to see the specific issues found on your car, plus a health score and running cost estimate.
What the Toyota Alphard Fails Its MOT On
Of the 2,994 MOT tests on the Toyota Alphard that failed at the first attempt in 2025, the share that failed on each part of the test, next to the share for all cars and vans of the same ages. A test that failed on two areas counts in both.
Lights and electrics
51%Cars and vans the same age: 43% · Typical repair £15-£200
Suspension
33%Cars and vans the same age: 35% · Typical repair £150-£600
Brakes
19%Cars and vans the same age: 25% (the Alphard fails on this less often) · Typical repair £80-£450
Tyres
18%Cars and vans the same age: 20% · Typical repair £50-£300
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors
17%Cars and vans the same age: 17% · Typical repair £10-£350
The 3 single faults it failed on most
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively (12% of failed tests, windscreen, wipers and mirrors)
- Steering linkage ball joint dust cover no longer keeps dirt out (11% of failed tests, suspension)
- Position lamp: not working (11% of failed tests, lights and electrics)
Source: CarCostCheck analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results and failure items for 2025: first attempt at each MOT, fail and pass-after-repair defects, DVSA's defect categories (names shortened). Repair costs are rough UK ranges, not quotes. Method and national figures: MOT failure reasons 2025.
Buying a Toyota Alphard? Check it first
See that car's own MOT history and mileage free, then check it for outstanding finance, an insurance write-off and a stolen record before you pay.
History check £4.99, one-off. No subscription.
Toyota Alphard Years to Avoid
Every car in the 2024 MOT data was tested at the same age as the other cars first registered that year, so each Alphard year is compared with all cars from the same year. Years with 1,000+ tests that were at least three years old are included.
Failed more often than cars their age
- 2017: 80% passed, against 87% for all 2017 cars (7 points lower, 1,069 tests)
A lower pass rate means that year failed its MOT more often in 2024; it does not mean every car from that year is bad. Old cars still on the road are often the best-kept ones, which can lift the pass rates of the oldest years. How a car has been looked after matters more, so check the MOT history of the car you are looking at.
Toyota Alphard Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, from DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024 (retests included). Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger. All Cars is the pass rate of every car first registered that year, with the gap in points. Highest and lowest are marked among years with 100+ tests that were at least three years old when tested. Fuel and engine size are a guide only.
| Year | Fuel | Engine | Pass Rate | Fail Rate | All Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Hybrid | 3.5L | 97% | 3% | - |
| 2021 | Hybrid | 3.0L | 81% | 19% | - |
| 2020 | Hybrid | 3.0L | 79% | 20% | - |
| 2019 | Hybrid | 3.0L | 81% | 18% | - |
| 2018 | Hybrid | 2.5L | 82% | 17% | - |
| 2017 | Hybrid | 3.0L | 80% | 18% | 87% (-7) |
| 2016 | Hybrid | 2.4L | 79% | 21% | - |
| 2015 | Hybrid | 2.4L | 79% | 21% | - |
| 2014 | Hybrid | 2.4L | 92% | 8% | - |
| 2013 | Hybrid | 2.5L | 94% | 6% | - |
| 2012 | Hybrid | 2.4L | 92% | 8% | - |
| 2011 | Hybrid | 3.5L | 91% | 8% | - |
| 2010 | Hybrid | 3.5L | 90% | 9% | - |
| 2009 | Hybrid | 2.4L | 90% | 10% | - |
| 2008 | Hybrid | 3.0L | 87% | 13% | 74% (+13) |
| 2007 | Hybrid | 3.0L | 86% | 13% | 73% (+13) |
| 2006 | Hybrid | 3.0L | 85% | 15% | 73% (+12) |
| 2005 | Hybrid | 2.4L | 82% | 17% | 73% (+9) |
| 2004 | Hybrid | 3.0L | 80% | 19% | 72% (+8) |
| 2003 | Hybrid | 3.0L | 78% | 22% | - |
| 2002 | Hybrid | 3.0L | 82% | 18% | - |
Toyota Alphard Running Costs
Want to know the full annual running costs for the Toyota Alphard? Including fuel, road tax, the MOT and predicted repairs based on MOT pass rates, plus an estimated insurance group.
View Toyota Alphard Running CostsCar history check for £4.99
Finance, stolen and write-off checks
Outstanding finance with the lender's details, stolen, write-off and keeper changes. One payment, no subscription.
Comparing checks first? See the cheapest car check in the UK and the best car check providers compared.
Toyota Alphard FAQ
What are the most common Toyota Alphard problems?
In 2025, MOT tests on the Toyota Alphard that failed at the first attempt most often failed on lights and electrics (51% of the 2,994 failed tests), suspension (33%) and brakes (19%). The single most common fault was "Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively" (12%). Across 23,453 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), 85% ended in a pass.
Is the Toyota Alphard reliable?
The Toyota Alphard has an average MOT pass rate of 85%, from 23,453 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). Comparing each model year with all cars first registered the same year, so that age is allowed for, it passed 10 points more often on average, a better than average result for its age.
Which Toyota Alphard years should I avoid?
Compared with all cars first registered the same year (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), the 2017 (80% of 1,069 tests passed, against 87% for all 2017 cars) failed their MOT most often for their age. The years that passed most often for their age were the 2007 (86% of 3,310 tests passed, against 73% for all 2007 cars), the 2008 (87% of 2,354 tests passed, against 74% for all 2008 cars) and the 2006 (85% of 2,995 tests passed, against 73% for all 2006 cars). A year's pass rate does not tell you about one car, so check the MOT history of the car you are buying.
How much does it cost to fix common Toyota Alphard faults?
As a rough guide, brake work on a Toyota Alphard typically costs £80-£450 and suspension repairs £150-£600, while exhaust and emissions fixes can cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
Check a Specific Toyota Alphard
Enter any reg plate to see the exact MOT history, defects found, health score, and running cost estimate for that specific car.
Other Toyota Models
Common problems pages for other Toyota models