Toyota Land Cruiser (1987)
1987 Toyota Land Cruiser
CarHunch analysed 150 real MOT records for the 1987 Toyota Land Cruiser. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1987 Land Cruiser diesel has an 11.2% first-time pass rate—dramatically below the UK average of 80%—which signals serious structural or systemic issues with vehicles of this age and mileage. The good news is that only 4.7% have ever suffered a dangerous defect, so safety failures are uncommon, but you're looking at a vehicle that will almost certainly need work to pass its next MOT.
At an average mileage of 172,959 miles, these Land Cruisers are well-used workhorses, and the pattern of 0.29 failures and 1.4 advisories per vehicle suggests wear across multiple systems rather than one catastrophic problem. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection done by someone who knows these vehicles—the MOT history alone won't tell you what you need to know, and you should expect negotiation room for repairs or plan for a significant outlay in the first year.
What to check before buying a 1987 Toyota Land Cruiser
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 Land Cruiser
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (95%) | 142 | 11.2% | 0.28 |
| Petrol (5%) | 8 | 16.2% | 0.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1987 Toyota Land Cruiser 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 1987 Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles fall between 136,011 and 195,701 miles.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Toyota Land Cruiser?
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