Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1998 Toyota Landcruiser Colorado?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1998 Toyota Landcruiser Colorado?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1998 Toyota Landcruiser Colorado?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 1998 Toyota Landcruiser Colorado vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

35% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 1998 Toyota Landcruiser Colorado reliable?

Based on MOT data from 401 vehicles, the 1998 Toyota Landcruiser Colorado has a first-time MOT pass rate of 72.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1998 Toyota Landcruiser Colorado?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

CarHunch

Get Started

Toyota Landcruiser Colorado (1998)

401 real MOT outcomes analysed • 72.5% first-time pass rate

1998 Toyota Landcruiser Colorado

CarHunch analysed 401 real MOT records for the 1998 Toyota Landcruiser Colorado. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 401 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

This 1998 Landcruiser Colorado is noticeably less reliable than the UK average, with a first-time MOT pass rate of just 72.5% against the national 80%, and a worrying 35.2% of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects at some point. The diesel variants (which make up almost all of this cohort) show no improvement, passing at 72.2%, so fuel type offers no refuge here.

At 125,000 miles median, these vehicles are running high for their age, yet they're still accumulating an average of 4.23 failures per test, suggesting age-related wear rather than isolated issues. With 22.3 advisories per vehicle on average, you're looking at a vehicle that demands active maintenance—budget for regular checks on suspension, brakes, and seals, and have a pre-purchase inspection carried out by a mechanic familiar with Japanese 4x4s before committing to buy.

The 1998 Toyota Landcruiser Colorado has a below-average first-time pass rate (72.5% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

72.5%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

35.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.23

Over 14 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

125k

Middle half: 102k–152k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 22.3 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 401 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 401 Toyota Landcruiser Colorado cars.

Before you buy a 1998 Toyota Landcruiser Colorado

Based on MOT data from 401 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 35.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (95%)	382	72.2%	4.23

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,896 Toyota Landcruiser Colorado vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 24.1%

697

Green 22.8%

661

Blue 21.3%

617

Black 13.3%

385

Red 10.9%

317

White 3.3%

Gold 2.5%

Grey 0.8%

Beige 0.4%

Maroon 0.2%

Cream 0.2%

Purple 0.2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Toyota Landcruiser Colorado vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

125,219

typical

101,784

low mileage

152,360

high mileage

Half of all 1998 Toyota Landcruiser Colorado vehicles fall between 101,784 and 152,360 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 101,784 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 101,784–152,360 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1998 Toyota Landcruiser Colorados sit.

⚠ Over 205,686 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1998 Toyota Landcruiser Colorado — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 35% of 1998 Toyota Landcruiser Colorados are still active.

Numbers are declining — 71 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (35% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.23

Avg failures per vehicle

22.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Toyota Landcruiser Colorado: All Landcruiser Colorado years → Which year to buy? →

1996 1997 1999 2000 2001 2002

Or browse all models: Toyota →

Compare with another model

See how the 1998 Toyota Landcruiser Colorado stacks up against a rival.

Buyer beware — pass it on