Skip to main content
Check

Toyota MR2 W30 (3rd gen) (1999-2007) reliability

At a glance

Toyota MR2 W30 (3rd gen) built around 2004: about average at the MOT

Toyota MR2 W30 (3rd gen) models built around 2004 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Looking at a Toyota MR2 W30 (3rd gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

26% of MOT tests on Toyota MR2 W30 (3rd gen) models built around 2004 ended in a fail (retests included), against 24% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Toyota MR2 W30 (3rd gen) models built around 2004 involves the suspension.

Toyota MR2 W30 (3rd gen)
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate1999-2007ConvertiblePETROL

Based on 8,320 tests of MR2 models registered 1999-2007.

About 1 in 8 MR2 W30 (3rd gen) MOTs (12.5%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2004 (21 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 1,393 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 MR2 W30 (3rd gen) MOTs (5.7%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2004 (21 years old).

Based on 1,393 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

W30 (3rd gen) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
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
83827.0%

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.

How the MR2 W30 (3rd gen) compares

At each age below, see how the MR2 W30 (3rd gen) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 40,713 tests across 17 Toyota models, built around 2004 (21 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateToyota average
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
83827.0%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Suspension

Worth checking

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

Suspension springs

Worth checking

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

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

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.

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the MR2 W30 (3rd gen).

  1. 1

    Mercedes-Benz SL

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.2%
    Dangerous
    4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.5%

    Lower fail rate: 16.0%, against 26.2% for the Toyota MR2 W30 (3rd gen), both built around 2004.

    2,445 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  2. 2

    Porsche Boxster

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    10.3%
    Dangerous
    3.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.9%

    Lower fail rate: 21.4%, against 26.2% for the Toyota MR2 W30 (3rd gen), both built around 2004.

    2,872 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  3. 3

    MG TF

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.9%

    No clear edge over the Toyota MR2 W30 (3rd gen) on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,254 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  4. 4

    BMW Z4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.5%
    Dangerous
    5.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    No clear edge over the Toyota MR2 W30 (3rd gen) on these figures.

    4,112 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

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.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

1 recall in all

1 MR2 W30 (3rd gen) 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.

What has gone wrong on MR2 W30 (3rd gen) cars built around 2004

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 2,474 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
52%
Emissions
41%
Bodywork
32%
Steering
21%

Wear items

Brakes
71%
Lighting
57%
Tyres
41%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 37% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How MR2 W30 (3rd gen) cars have aged

How MR2 W30 (3rd gen) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%151719212325Age at MOTBuilt around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (685 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 25.2% (647 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 22.5% (582 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 27.2% (555 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 25.1% (518 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 26.3% (655 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 25.4% (631 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 25.3% (574 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 27.9% (563 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 23.8% (478 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 27.6% (1,065 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 26.1% (994 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 24.6% (900 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 23.6% (817 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 26.7% (780 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 28.3% (1,203 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 29.3% (1,067 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 27.1% (951 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 25.9% (884 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (824 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 29.4% (966 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 28.2% (841 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 28.4% (795 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 26.7% (718 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 27.6% (664 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 28.5% (776 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 29.3% (709 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 31.1% (675 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 29.0% (579 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2001, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 28.3% (534 tests, 2025 data)2001Built around 2000, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (805 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2000, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 27.7% (710 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2000, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 29.1% (647 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2000, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 27.2% (566 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2000, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 27.9% (531 tests, 2025 data)2000Built around 1999, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 29.6% (216 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1999, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 24.2% (207 tests, 2022 data)Built around 1999, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 26.8% (224 tests, 2023 data)Built around 1999, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (188 tests, 2024 data)1999
First registered around 2006First registered around 2005First registered around 2004First registered around 2003
How each part holds up as W30 (3rd gen) cars age

How each part holds up as W30 (3rd gen) cars age

The share of petrol cars built pre-2005 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car21 years22 years23 years24 years
Suspension36%38%50%39%
Brakes75%73%81%83%
Emissions31%33%41%44%
Tyres49%49%55%49%
Lighting45%49%66%67%
Drivetrain1%No figure2%1%
Bodywork9%8%10%7%
Steering15%14%19%22%
Corrosion21%21%25%19%

Based on petrol cars in the pre-2005 build-year band, from 198 to 270 cars at each age.

W30 (3rd gen) variants compared
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Toyota MR2 models of this age

This list covers every Toyota MR2 built around 2004, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the W30 (3rd gen) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    13.9%
    Advisory: 305Fail: 26 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    11.4%
    Advisory: 158Fail: 1 (1% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    11.3%
    Advisory: 368Fail: 11 (3% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    10.6%
    Advisory: 226Fail: 13 (5% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    10.2%
    Advisory: 194Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,393 tests

Looking at a Toyota MR2 W30 (3rd gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2004 (21 years old), the Toyota MR2 W30 (3rd gen) (1999-2007) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,393 21-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 8,320 MOT tests on Toyota MR2 models first registered between 1999-2007. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.