1999 Toyota Landcruiser Colorado Extd 3.0L Heavy oil · V402 DFH

Corrosion is the defining theme in this Land Cruiser Colorado's history, though it appears to have been arrested rather than left to progress. Advisories in 2016 noted slight corrosion to the nearside body, followed in 2017 by a more significant advisory for corrosion to the underside of the vehicle alongside low rear tyre treads. Since then, however, the record has been entirely clean: every subsequent test from 2018 through to the most recent pass on 23 April 2025 has been recorded with no defects and no advisories whatsoever. The single blemish in that run is a failure on 25 March 2022 with no defects recorded against it, followed by a pass just three weeks later on 14 April 2022, which suggests a minor, quickly rectified issue rather than any structural problem. Overall the trend is improving, with the corrosion concerns of 2016 and 2017 not reappearing in any later test. At 255,456 miles over roughly 27 years, the vehicle has averaged about 9,461 miles per year, which is typical for its age and consistent with regular use rather than long-term storage. There is, however, a notable gap in the test record between October 2019 and March 2022, spanning the period affected by pandemic-era MOT extensions, so the vehicle's whereabouts and usage during part of that window cannot be confirmed from these records. High cumulative mileage on a body-on-frame 4x4 of this type means suspension bushes, shock absorbers, steering linkages, brake components and drivetrain wear items will all have seen substantial service, and the 2016 advisory for a worn, pitted or scored rear brake disc confirms that braking components have required attention in the past. On inspection, the priority should be the underside and body structure given the earlier corrosion advisories. Examine the chassis rails, outriggers, rear crossmember, sills and wheel arches closely, ideally with the vehicle raised, and probe any surface rust for softness or flaking metal, particularly around suspension mounting points where corrosion can compromise structural integrity. The fact that no corrosion has been flagged since 2017 is encouraging, but a 27-year-old vehicle used through British winters warrants a thorough physical check regardless of what the paperwork shows. On the road, listen for knocks or clonks over uneven surfaces that would indicate tired suspension bushes or worn ball joints, and check for any wandering or vagueness in the steering, which is common on high-mileage live-axle vehicles. Given the historic rear brake disc advisory, assess braking performance for pedal judder, pulling to one side, or grinding that would suggest worn or corroded discs and pads. Also verify smooth engagement of four-wheel drive and low range if fitted, and check for oil misting around the engine, gearbox and differentials, as seals on a vehicle of this mileage are well past their first service life.