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Toyota MR2 reliability by build year

Coverage 1999-20071 named generationConvertiblePETROL
At a glance

Toyota MR2 built before 2000: more fails still not passed 3 days later

Toyota MR2 models built before 2000 fail an MOT and still haven’t passed 3 days later more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at fluid leaks on any car you view. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Toyota MR2 by number plate

Key figure

14.9% of MOT tests on Toyota MR2 models built before 2000 failed and still hadn’t passed 3 days later. For similar cars the same age, it was 9.5%.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Toyota MR2 models built before 2000 involves fluid leaks.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Toyota MR2's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your MR2's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

MR2 W30 (3rd gen)

W30 (3rd gen) (1999-2007)

Average
PETROL

25.7% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 4,617 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Toyota MR2.

See every build year for the Toyota MR2

By age

Toyota MR2 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Toyota MR2 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
40325.6%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
99623.7%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,08926.8%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,39326.2%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,37326.7%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,13227.0%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
1,09629.6%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
4,61725.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 24 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Toyota MR2 models

These issues come from 25+ year old Toyota MR2 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    17.7%
    Advisory: 826Fail: 20 (2% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    9.9%
    Advisory: 639Fail: 84 (12% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    8.6%
    Advisory: 632Fail: 67 (10% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    8.3%
    Advisory: 531Fail: 51 (9% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension mounting area corroded, but not seriously

    8.2%
    Advisory: 354Fail: 301 (46% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,617 MOT tests on 25+ year old Toyota MR2 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Toyota MR2 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Suspension36%
  2. Body & structure + Suspension22%
  3. Body & structure + Brakes22%
  4. Fuel & oil + Suspension20%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 2,181 MOT tests on Toyota MR2 cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Toyota MR2.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

1 recall in all

1 Toyota MR2 recall covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 recall

Top concerns

  • Brake fluid may leak

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles to compare

  1. 1

    TVR Chimaera

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.3%
    Dangerous
    2.1%

    Lower fail rate: 12.5%, against 25.7% for the Toyota MR2, both built before 2000.

    2,536 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Triumph TR6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.9%
    Dangerous
    2.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.9%, against 25.7% for the Toyota MR2, both built before 2000.

    1,028 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Morgan 4/4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6%
    Dangerous
    1.9%

    Lower fail rate: 15.2%, against 25.7% for the Toyota MR2, both built before 2000.

    1,071 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Triumph Stag

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.6%
    Dangerous
    2.3%

    Lower fail rate: 15.7%, against 25.7% for the Toyota MR2, both built before 2000.

    1,436 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Toyota MR2 across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 4,617 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Toyota MR2 ever sold: 12,099 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 4,617 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.