Toyota Estima (2018)
2018 Toyota Estima
CarHunch analysed 345 real MOT records for the 2018 Toyota Estima. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2018 Toyota Estima is a genuinely reliable proposition, with a first-time pass rate of 94.9% — nearly 15 percentage points ahead of the UK average. Dangerous defects are uncommon at just 5.5%, and the hybrid variants edge out their petrol counterparts slightly (96.4% vs 94.5% pass rate), giving buyers confidence in either powertrain.
These Estimas are running at modest mileage for their age (median 49,183 miles), which partly explains why they fail so infrequently — but even accounting for that, the 0.23 average failures per vehicle is genuinely low. If you're considering one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the hybrid system if that's your choice, but otherwise expect a well-behaved family MPV that will sail through its MOT.
What to check before buying a 2018 Toyota Estima
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Toyota Estima
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (51%) | 176 | 94.6% | 0.22 |
| Hybrid Electric (Clean) (43%) | 149 | 96.4% | 0.17 |
| LPG (3%) | 11 | 83.7% | 1.09 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (3%) | 9 | 89.8% | 0.56 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2018 Toyota Estima vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2018 Toyota Estima vehicles fall between 36,625 and 60,499 miles.
2018 Toyota Estima — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 326 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2023–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2018 Toyota Estima
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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11.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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11.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
10%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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9.6%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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8.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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8.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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6.2%
Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn near side / off side
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4.8%
Offside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2018. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Toyota Estima?
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