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Toyota: reliability & common problems

#2 of 24
Longevity rank#1 Tesla holds up to ~176k
~142k
Trouble-free mileageacross all body styles
656
Toyotas inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections
60/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 60/100



Based on 656 used Toyotas we inspected, they are in about average shape — average condition 60/100 vs 60 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.

What we found

Most common faults

Oil leaks · Engine
50%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
36%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
31%
Leaking or worn shock absorbers · Suspension
21%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
20%

Share of inspected Toyotas where each item was flagged.

How they score

Excellent 15% Good 35% Mediocre 40% Poor 10%
Hidden history

What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on Toyotas.

78%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 76%
4%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
16%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 23%

Compare with another brand:

Cross-shopping? Toyota vs Honda · Toyota vs Ford · Toyota vs Chevrolet

How long does a Toyota last?

Across every Toyota body style we've inspected — sedans, SUVs and anything else pooled together — the average one's condition dips below decent (a 55/100 score) around ~142k miles. It ranks Toyota #2 of 24 brands we have enough data to rate; the longest-lasting, Tesla, holds up to ~176k. Shopping a Toyota near that mileage? Expect more wear ahead — see which makes give the best odds at your budget.



Good cars by mileage
0 25 50 75 100 0–20k mi: 100% in good shape (21 cars) 20–40k mi: 89% in good shape (56 cars) 40–60k mi: 80% in good shape (44 cars) 60–80k mi: 78% in good shape (74 cars) 80–100k mi: 53% in good shape (68 cars) 100–120k mi: 46% in good shape (91 cars) 120–140k mi: 40% in good shape (75 cars) 140–160k mi: 27% in good shape (78 cars) 160–180k mi: 28% in good shape (58 cars) 180–200k mi: 23% in good shape (31 cars) 200–220k mi: 16% in good shape (19 cars) 40k 80k 120k 160k 200k mileage when we inspected it
Good cars by age
0 25 50 75 100 1 years old: 100% in good shape (18 cars) 2 years old: 94% in good shape (34 cars) 3 years old: 91% in good shape (22 cars) 4 years old: 92% in good shape (26 cars) 5 years old: 85% in good shape (33 cars) 6 years old: 62% in good shape (34 cars) 7 years old: 68% in good shape (37 cars) 8 years old: 68% in good shape (37 cars) 9 years old: 48% in good shape (50 cars) 10 years old: 57% in good shape (46 cars) 11 years old: 52% in good shape (27 cars) 12 years old: 41% in good shape (37 cars) 13 years old: 41% in good shape (51 cars) 14 years old: 19% in good shape (36 cars) 15 years old: 25% in good shape (40 cars) 16 years old: 16% in good shape (25 cars) 2y 4y 6y 8y 10y 12y 14y 16y vehicle age when we inspected it

Share of Toyotas in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.

Is Toyota getting better?
↘↗ Dipped in the mid-2010s — the newest generation recovered 40% 60% 80% 2012–14: 72% in good shape (age-adjusted; 59 cars, raw 66%) 72 2015–17: 57% in good shape (age-adjusted; 105 cars, raw 53%) 57 2018+: 69% in good shape (age-adjusted; 62 cars, raw 77%) 69 2009–11 2012–14 2015–17 2018+

Share of Toyotas in good shape (60+/100) when inspected at the same age — 5–10 years old, age-adjusted — by model-year generation; the dashed line is the all-brand average. Compare every brand's trajectory →



Toyota models we've inspected
RAV4 47 cars · 75% good Highlander 38 cars · 61% good Prius 57 cars · 58% good Sienna 47 cars · 57% good Tacoma 44 cars · 53% good Corolla 98 cars · 49% good Tundra 47 cars · 47% good Camry 96 cars · 46% good 4Runner 62 cars · 45% good Avalon 26 cars · 42% good Land Cruiser 16 cars · profile soon Sequoia 14 cars · profile soon FJ Cruiser 12 cars · profile soon

Recently inspected:

2008 Toyota 4runner · 239k mi — flagged: abnormal noise, low coolant / cooling system issues, battery condition. Inspected Jul 11.
2011 Toyota Prius · 13k mi — flagged: tires condition & wear. Inspected Jul 11.
The bottom line

Toyotas last longer than nearly every other brand, staying decent until around 143,000 miles. That staying power is the real story here, but oil leaks hit half the cars and error codes show up often enough that you need to pressure-test the engine and electronics hard before buying. Stick to the 2012-14 or 2018-plus generations—they come through age-adjusted checks in better shape than the 2015-17 ones. Negotiate hard on tire wear and shocks, and walk away from anything with structural repairs or heavy oil seepage that the seller won't fix.

FAQ
?
Is Toyota reliable?
50% of the 656 Toyotas we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, averaging 60/100 — they are in about average shape.
?
What are the most common problems with a used Toyota?
Across the Toyotas we inspected, the items we flag most often are oil leaks (50%), tires condition & wear (36%), active error codes (31%).
?
Are newer Toyotas more reliable than older ones?
The mid-2010s Toyotas were the weak patch — the newest generation has recovered, comparing all of them at the same age (5–10 years old).
Thinking of buying a Toyota? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
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Based on 656 inspections · updated Jul 12, 2026