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Toyota Starlet reliability by build year

Coverage 1984-19993 named generationsHatchbackPETROL
At a glance

Toyota Starlet built before 2000: about average at the MOT

Toyota Starlets built before 2000 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.

Check a Toyota Starlet by number plate

Key figure

27% of MOT tests on Toyota Starlets built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 25% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Toyota Starlets built before 2000 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

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

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

Axles & Wheels

Worth checking

Inspect the axles & wheels 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.

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 Starlet's generation

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

P

P80 (5th gen) (1989-1995)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROL

26.8% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

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

From 3,535 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 Starlet.

See every build year for the Toyota Starlet

By age

Toyota Starlet fail rate by age

This chart combines every Toyota Starlet 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
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
3,53526.8%

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 25+ years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Toyota Starlets

These issues come from 25+ year old Toyota Starlets, 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

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

    17.2%
    Advisory: 806Fail: 91 (10% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    16.6%
    Advisory: 594Fail: 3 (1% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    15.6%
    Advisory: 538Fail: 151 (22% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.1%
    Advisory: 723Fail: 60 (8% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Wheel bearing has slight play

    13.9%
    Advisory: 597Fail: 66 (10% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,535 MOT tests on 25+ year old Toyota Starlets, 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 Starlets 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 + Suspension27%
  2. Suspension + Tyres24%
  3. Other + Suspension23%
  4. Brakes + Tyres19%

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

Across 2,047 MOT tests on Toyota Starlet 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 Starlet.

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 Starlet recall covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical

Top concerns

  • Takata airbag inflator may rupture on deployment

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

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Ford Sierra

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6%
    Dangerous
    1.5%

    Lower fail rate: 11.5%, against 26.8% for the Toyota Starlet, both built before 2000.

    3,022 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Vauxhall Nova

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.8%
    Dangerous
    2.2%

    Lower fail rate: 15.2%, against 26.8% for the Toyota Starlet, both built before 2000.

    1,003 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Subaru Impreza

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.9%

    Lower fail rate: 19.9%, against 26.8% for the Toyota Starlet, both built before 2000.

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

    2,760 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Ford Escort

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.6%
    Dangerous
    3.8%

    Lower fail rate: 16.8%, against 26.8% for the Toyota Starlet, both built before 2000.

    10,088 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 Starlet across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 3,535 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 Starlet ever sold: 3,535 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 3,535 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.