2004 Toyota Estima 2.4L Petrol · FA54 XCF

The vehicle passed its most recent MOT on 2 October 2025, though this followed a failure the previous day due to a major defect regarding a worn front inner suspension arm bush. The overall maintenance trend is concerning, as several advisories have persisted for multiple years without apparent rectification. Specifically, the recurring mentions of an oil leak and brake pipe corrosion suggest a reactive rather than proactive approach to maintenance, indicating that the vehicle is being kept to a minimum legal standard rather than being comprehensively maintained. With a recorded mileage of 140,281 miles over an eleven year period, this vehicle has averaged approximately 12,753 miles per year. This is considered high usage and implies significant wear on all primary mechanical consumables. Prospective buyers should anticipate that high mileage fatigue will be evident in the drivetrain, engine internals, and chassis components. While consistent annual usage is often preferable to long periods of standing, it accelerates the degradation of rubber suspension bushings, engine seals, and braking components. The persistent advisory regarding brake pipe corrosion is a critical point of inspection. The record mentions pipes being covered in grease or other material, which is often a method used to mask corrosion or slow oxidation; this suggests the braking system may require a full replacement of the lines to ensure long term structural integrity. During a test drive, pay close attention to the steering feel and listen for any clunking or knocking sounds from the front end, as the recent suspension arm failure suggests further wear in the steering rack or ball joints. The long term oil leak should be investigated to determine if it is a minor seepage from a gasket or a more serious failure of an engine seal. Given the previous record of a deteriorated constant velocity boot and historical uneven tyre wear, the buyer must inspect the CV joints for any clicking sounds during tight low speed manoeuvres. Check the current tyre tread depths and look for uneven wear patterns on the inner edges, which would indicate that the recent suspension work has not fully corrected the wheel alignment. Finally, verify the service history to ensure that calendar based fluid changes, specifically transmission and coolant, have been performed, as high mileage drivetrains rely heavily on strict fluid intervals to avoid premature component failure.