2002 Toyota Alphard 2.4L Petrol · HS02 WDT

A clear pattern of suspension and brake wear advisories defines the roadworthiness profile of this 24-year-old Toyota Alphard, with the most recent test on 26 February 2026 returning a pass but flagging five separate items. Across the available DVSA history, the vehicle has consistently passed annual testing, but the recurring advisories point to an ageing chassis and braking system that is approaching, rather than already at, a point of intervention. The brake disc pitting noted on both front corners at the latest test, combined with thinning front pads, mirrors the rear brake pad advisory recorded a year earlier, suggesting a vehicle where friction components and discs are wearing at a fairly even rate across both axles. The structural advisories are arguably the more significant theme: axle swivel pins and bushes were flagged on both rear sides in 2026, axle bushes were noted as perishing in 2023 and splitting by 2024, and lower suspension arm rear bushes have been a recurring entry since at least the 2023 test, with a wear advisory specifically recorded at the 2025 test. A suspension ball joint dust cover was also classified as a minor failure item in both 2023 entries, indicating that the rubber sealing components on the front suspension have been deteriorating for some time. Against its 24-year age, the recorded 168,677 miles equates to an average accumulation of roughly 7,000 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this vintage and does not suggest excessive motorway use or, conversely, long periods of standing. The MOT history shows consistent annual testing from 2023 through 2026, with no gaps of more than twelve months and no evidence of the vehicle being laid up. That continuity, combined with a moderate rather than high annual mileage, means mechanical wear is likely to be steady and progressive rather than accelerated, but it also means consumable items such as bushes, brake components and flexible rubber parts have been quietly accumulating age-related fatigue. The single non-suspension failure on record is unrelated to mechanical wear, relating instead to an external sliding door release mechanism on the nearside in March 2023, and there is nothing in the history to suggest powertrain, exhaust or structural corrosion concerns. For a prospective buyer, the priority areas to physically inspect centre on the suspension and brake components that have been repeatedly flagged. The rear axle swivel pins and bushes noted at the latest test, combined with the earlier advisories on axle bushes and lower arm rear bushes, mean the vehicle should be driven over speed humps and uneven road surfaces with the windows down, listening for clonking or knocking from the rear axle and feeling for any vagueness or wandering through the steering on rough surfaces. Because the bush wear advisories have been progressing from perishing to splitting over successive tests, a current inspection should pay particular attention to any play when the rear wheels are rocked by hand with the vehicle raised. The front brake disc pitting and thinning pads flagged in 2026 warrant a road test with prolonged moderate braking from speed to check for pedal judder or vibration through the steering wheel, and a visual inspection of the disc surfaces for a pronounced lip or visible ridging, as pitted discs approaching minimum thickness can quickly fail at the next MOT. The previously deteriorated nearside suspension arm ball joint dust cover should also be re-examined, as split boots allow water and grit ingress and dramatically shorten service life. The remaining advisories are comparatively minor but still worth confirming before purchase. The split nearside wiper noted in 2024 should be checked for smearing or chatter across the windscreen, and a general look around the underside for any fluid leaks, corrosion on subframe mounting points, or damage to brake pipes and flexible hoses is sensible given the vehicle's years. Given the consistent pattern of rear axle and lower arm bush wear developing over time, budgeting for a full set of replacement rear axle swivel pins and bushes alongside the lower arm rear bushes would be a prudent consideration, particularly if the next MOT is due within six to twelve months. Overall, the Alphard presents as a mechanically honest example that has been used regularly and maintained to a passable standard, but its next owner should be prepared to address the chassis and brake wear that has been quietly accumulating since at least 2023.