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Toyota: reliability & common problems

#2 of 24
Longevity rank#1 Tesla holds up to ~189k
~145k
Trouble-free mileageacross all body styles
696
Toyotas inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections
62/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/100



Based on 696 used Toyotas we inspected, they are in about average shape — average condition 62/100 vs 61 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
49%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
36%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
29%
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 29% Good 27% Mediocre 25% Poor 19%
Hidden history

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

78%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
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 ~145k miles. It ranks Toyota #2 of 24 brands we have enough data to rate; the longest-lasting, Tesla, holds up to ~189k. 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 (57 cars) 40–60k mi: 80% in good shape (50 cars) 60–80k mi: 85% in good shape (82 cars) 80–100k mi: 59% in good shape (73 cars) 100–120k mi: 63% in good shape (97 cars) 120–140k mi: 45% in good shape (80 cars) 140–160k mi: 30% in good shape (81 cars) 160–180k mi: 32% in good shape (60 cars) 180–200k mi: 22% in good shape (32 cars) 200–220k mi: 25% in good shape (20 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 (20 cars) 2 years old: 94% in good shape (35 cars) 3 years old: 88% in good shape (25 cars) 4 years old: 93% in good shape (29 cars) 5 years old: 91% in good shape (33 cars) 6 years old: 76% in good shape (38 cars) 7 years old: 72% in good shape (43 cars) 8 years old: 74% in good shape (39 cars) 9 years old: 54% in good shape (54 cars) 10 years old: 65% in good shape (49 cars) 11 years old: 67% in good shape (30 cars) 12 years old: 46% in good shape (39 cars) 13 years old: 32% in good shape (53 cars) 14 years old: 34% in good shape (38 cars) 15 years old: 32% in good shape (41 cars) 16 years old: 26% in good shape (27 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?
▬ Consistent across generations 40% 60% 80% 2012–14: 69% in good shape (age-adjusted; 59 cars, raw 64%) 69 2015–17: 73% in good shape (age-adjusted; 112 cars, raw 69%) 73 2018+: 74% in good shape (age-adjusted; 74 cars, raw 81%) 74 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 53 cars · 79% good Prius 61 cars · 67% good Tacoma 45 cars · 63% good Highlander 40 cars · 63% good Corolla 110 cars · 61% good Sienna 48 cars · 56% good Tundra 48 cars · 56% good Camry 100 cars · 53% good Avalon 27 cars · 51% good 4Runner 67 cars · 46% good Land Cruiser 16 cars · profile soon Sequoia 14 cars · profile soon FJ Cruiser 12 cars · profile soon

Recently inspected:

2012 Toyota Highlander · 120k mi — flagged: oil leaks, battery condition, engine control module. Inspected Aug 21.
2019 Toyota 4Runner · 90k mi — flagged: oil leaks, worn brake rotors, tire pressure monitoring system. Inspected Aug 19.
The bottom line

Toyotas hold decent condition until about 145,000 miles, so a well-used example can still be a smart buy if the engine checks out. Oil leaks and fuel trim problems are the ones that will cost you, so crawl underneath and scan for codes first. Worn tires and shocks are common enough to negotiate hard on. Stick to 2018 or newer if you can; they look a little stronger for their age. Fresh paint is everywhere, so treat it as a prompt to check for hidden structural work rather than a reason to walk.

FAQ
?
Is Toyota reliable?
56% of the 696 Toyotas we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, averaging 62/100 — 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 (49%), tires condition & wear (36%), active error codes (29%).
?
Are newer Toyotas more reliable than older ones?
About the same — comparing generations at the same age (5–10 years old), Toyota's share of cars in good shape has stayed consistent.
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Based on 696 inspections · updated Aug 22, 2026