1998 Toyota Landcruiser 3.0L Diesel · R861 DMV

The vehicle currently holds a valid MOT pass issued on 7 January 2022 at 195,996 miles, with the only recorded advisories being slightly deteriorated front brake hoses. This represents a marked improvement over the previous test in April 2021, which itself followed a serious failure in March 2021 where the nearside rear brake pipe was leaking hydraulically, both windscreen wipers were ineffective, multiple rear lamps were inoperative, the engine air intake pipe was missing, and the brake hydraulic reservoir was below minimum. The service and parking brake efficiencies were below requirements, with no recorded effort at the rear wheels and the offside rear parking brake inoperative on one side. The fact that the March 2021 failure was rectified and the vehicle subsequently passed in January 2022 suggests the maintenance trend is improving, though the persistence of slightly deteriorated front brake hoses indicates some deferred attention to rubber components. The mileage pattern reveals a vehicle that has been largely static in recent years. Between March 2021 and January 2022, the odometer advanced by only 149 miles, and between April 2021 and March 2021 it moved just 66 miles. This is consistent with the period from April 2016 to March 2021, during which the mileage increased by only 16 miles, suggesting the vehicle has been stored or used very sparingly for extended periods. Prior to this, the mileage accumulation was more typical, rising from 139,061 miles in January 2012 to 154,580 miles in February 2013, and then to 169,459 miles by March 2014. The low annual mileage of roughly 7,000 miles over 28 years is plausible for a well-preserved Land Cruiser, though the long periods of minimal use raise questions about potential moisture ingress, brake seizing, or tyre degradation from standing. A buyer should prioritise inspecting the brake system, given the history of a leaking rear brake pipe, below-minimum fluid levels, and inoperative rear brakes on one side. The front brake hoses, flagged as slightly deteriorated in both 2021 and 2022, should be examined for cracking or swelling, and the rear brake components should be checked for corrosion or binding after prolonged inactivity. Suspension-wise, the nearside front anti-roll bar bush was noted as worn in 2021, and the track rod end ball joint had excessive play in 2012, so the steering and suspension joints should be inspected for play or uneven wear. The battery was recorded as insecure in 2021, and the headlamp levelling and aim were faulty in 2021, so all electrical systems, including lighting, stop lamps, and the battery mounting, should be tested. Finally, the engine air intake pipe was missing in 2021, so the intake system should be verified as complete and properly sealed to avoid unfiltered air entering the engine.