2006 Toyota Previa 2.4L Petrol · ML06 NPV

The most recent MOT test on 12 May 2026 resulted in a pass, but the advisory and minor defect items recorded on that occasion indicate that the vehicle requires meaningful attention before purchase. The presence of a deteriorating front drive shaft constant velocity boot, a worn front suspension arm bush, tyres worn close to the legal limit at both front positions, frayed rear seat belt webbing, and chassis corrosion within 30cm of a rear inner sill mounting all suggest a vehicle whose maintenance trajectory is best described as stable but ageing rather than improving. While there have been no immediate failures at the most recent test, the recurring pattern of advisories relating to tyre condition, suspension component wear, brake disc condition, and chassis corrosion over consecutive tests points to a general decline in consumable and structural condition that is consistent with a twenty-year-old people carrier. The recorded mileage of 136,237 miles across twenty years equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 6,800 miles, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and type. The MOT history itself shows only modest mileage progression between annual tests, suggesting the vehicle is in regular but relatively low-intensity use, with no significant gaps or unusually high annual mileages that would indicate motorway long-distance work or fleet-style operation. This pattern of moderate usage is generally favourable for the longevity of internal drivetrain components, but it does mean that the advisories recorded on each test are likely the result of gradual wear and age-related degradation rather than acute overloading, and that any remedial work identified is more likely to have been deferred than completed promptly. For a prospective buyer, several specific items from the MOT history warrant close physical inspection. The front suspension arm bush wear and track rod end misalignment noted in 2023, combined with the deteriorating ball joint dust covers and corroded rear coil springs, indicate that the front and rear suspension should be examined for any knocking, clonking, or vagueness through the steering on a test drive, particularly over uneven surfaces and during full-lock manoeuvres. The recurring advisories on front and rear brake disc pitting and scoring suggest that the discs may be approaching the point at which they will require replacement rather than just cleaning, and any brake shudder, vibration through the pedal, or pulling to one side under braking would confirm that attention is now overdue. The reference to rear axle swivel pins and bushes being excessively worn at the 2022 test failure is a particularly significant point, as this type of wear on a Previa can recur and should be physically checked for movement or play on a wet underside inspection. The exhaust system emissions failure on the 2024 test, combined with the more recent advisories, also means that the exhaust integrity, Lambda sensor condition, and any potential leaks upstream of the catalysts should be verified, as exhaust leaks on this age of vehicle often originate from corroded downpipe to manifold joints or perished mounting rubbers. Beyond the recorded defects, a twenty-year-old vehicle with this mileage profile also requires general age-appropriate inspection regardless of the MOT outcome. Tyre sidewalls should be examined for perishing and cracking in addition to tread depth, as the consistent tyre advisories across multiple tests suggest that the wheels fitted at point of sale may again be approaching the end of their serviceable life even if not yet at the legal limit. The vehicle structure corrosion advisory relating to the rear inner sills should be physically inspected for bubbling under the paint, surface rust scale, and any evidence of previous repair or welding, as corrosion within 30cm of a mounting point can progress quickly on a unibody MPV of this vintage. The cooling system, automatic transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and engine coolant should all be regarded as overdue for renewal on a calendar basis rather than purely on mileage, given the vehicle's age, and the 12V battery should be load tested as a matter of course. Finally, given that the vehicle is an automatic MPV with sliding rear doors, the operation of the door mechanisms, the smooth engagement of the transmission through all ranges when warm, and any evidence of fluid leaks from the transmission sump or cooler pipes should be specifically checked during a stationary and slow-moving inspection.