Thinking about buying a used Toyota Alphard twin (2008–2023) in New Zealand? We've documented 13 known faults for this model spanning engine, electrical, cooling, and transmission. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Two are set out in full below — the rest, with the symptoms, repair costs and checks for each, are free with an account.
13
Critical
$900–$4,500
5
The ANH20W Vellfire shares the 2AZ-FE aluminium block with the Alphard and is subject to the same documented head bolt thread stripping defect. Coolant breaches the head gasket into combustion chambers or oil galleries, causing overheating, white exhaust smoke and oil emulsification. Toyota issued extended warranty coverage in Japan for this failure.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
The AH30 Vellfire's MacPherson-type front strut uses a bearing-in-rubber upper mount that deteriorates from ozone cracking and compression set, particularly in New Zealand and Australian conditions where vehicles sit unused for extended periods between family trips. As the bearing seizes within the degraded rubber mount, the strut cannot rotate freely during steering inputs and generates a loud knocking or clunking sound over undulations and when turning at low speed. The rubber spring seat concurrently collapses, reducing ride height and altering suspension geometry, leading to uneven tyre wear.
Symptoms to notice
What to check
Ask the seller
Symptoms, what to check, where to look and what to ask the seller — for every fault above. Free with an account, no card needed. One account covers one vehicle, so make it the car you’re actually looking at.
This page covers the model. Enter the plate of the actual car you’re looking at and see its year, engine, safety rating and register flags — free, no account needed.
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 13 documented faults for the Toyota Alphard twin, the recurring problem areas are engine, electrical, and cooling. A Toyota Alphard twin with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.
We've catalogued 13 known faults for the Toyota Alphard twin, covering engine, electrical, and cooling. Two are written out in full on this page. The rest — with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each — are free once you create an account.
Most single repairs on the Toyota Alphard twin fall between $900–$4,500 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 13 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.
Yes. A Toyota Alphard twin inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $17.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.