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Toyota Starlet P80 (5th gen) (1989-1995) reliability

Not enough data

Toyota Starlet P80 (5th gen) built before 2000: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Toyota Starlet P80 (5th gen) models built before 2000 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Toyota Starlet P80 (5th gen) right now?

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

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate1989-1995HatchbackPETROL

Based on 154 tests of Starlet models registered 1989-1995.

P80 (5th gen) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
15422.1%

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.

How the Starlet P80 (5th gen) compares

At each age below, see how the Starlet P80 (5th gen) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 34,903 tests across 20 Toyota models, built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateToyota average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
15422.1%

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.

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.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Starlet P80 (5th gen).

  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 22.1% for the Toyota Starlet P80 (5th gen), 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 22.1% for the Toyota Starlet P80 (5th gen), 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 22.1% for the Toyota Starlet P80 (5th gen), both built before 2000.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,760 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Renault Clio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    30.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.9%

    No clear edge over the Toyota Starlet P80 (5th gen) on these figures.

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

    2,039 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.
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

No recall notices match this build period.

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

What has gone wrong on Starlet P80 (5th gen) cars built before 2000

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 2,466 cars.

Structural systems

Emissions
31%
Drivetrain
28%
Suspension
28%
Bodywork
6%
Steering
2%

Wear items

Lighting
47%
Brakes
42%
Tyres
42%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 16% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

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

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Toyota Starlets of this age

This list covers every Toyota Starlet built before 2000, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the P80 (5th gen) on its own.

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 tests

Looking at a Toyota Starlet P80 (5th gen) right now?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Toyota Starlet P80 (5th gen) (1989-1995) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 154 25+ 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 154 MOT tests on Toyota Starlets first registered between 1989-1995. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.