TOYOTA MR2 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 2,638 MOT tests from 131 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every TOYOTA MR2 has the same fault.

TOYOTA MR2's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 512/999. The score was calculated from the average of every TOYOTA MR2 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the TOYOTA MR2.

TOYOTA MR2 (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Petrol	2005	473/999Average	87,212 miles	656 vehicles
Petrol	2002	462/999Average	90,590 miles	838 vehicles
Petrol	2001	463/999Average	91,691 miles	1,018 vehicles
Petrol	2000	474/999Average	87,168 miles	1,242 vehicles
Petrol	1986	690/999Good	113,452 miles	604 vehicles

How reliable is the TOYOTA MR2?

Based on 2,638 MOT tests from 131 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

131

MOT tests

2,638

Pass rate

72.4%

Median mileage

94,082 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every TOYOTA MR2 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 495 out of 999.

Common TOYOTA MR2 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 304 advisory comments and 59 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR TYRE WORN CLOSE TO THE LEGAL LIMIT (4.1.E.1)

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 45 advisory comments and 278 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE: EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (3.7.B.7)

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 157 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 97 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Lambda sensor issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 46 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lambda sensor reading or defect noted at the test.

What to inspect

Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST EMISSIONS LAMBDA READING AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE OUTSIDE SPECIFIED LIMITS (7.3.D.3)

Emissions test issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 43 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an exhaust emissions result. They are counted separately from a warning lamp or a catalytic converter note.

What to inspect

Ask for the emissions printout and whether any repair followed a failed test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST EMISSIONS CARBON MONOXIDE CONTENT AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE EXCESSIVE (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 25 advisory comments and 16 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record exhaust leaks, insecurity, or other exhaust defects found at inspection.

What to inspect

Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST HAS A MINOR LEAK OF EXHAUST GASES (7.1.2)

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 25 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (3.5.1G)

TOYOTA MR2 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2006	8	162	79.6%	Coil spring issues, Tyre wear
2005	5	114	76.3%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
2004	12	238	76.1%	Coil spring issues, Oil leak
2003	12	289	68.9%	Tyre wear, Parking brake faults
2002	9	199	72.9%	Parking brake faults, Coil spring issues
2001	7	172	70.9%	Parking brake faults, Coil spring issues
2000	12	254	78%	Tyre wear, Parking brake faults
1999	6	133	72.2%	Parking brake faults, Tyre wear
1998	14	268	73.5%	Tyre wear, Parking brake faults
1997	6	104	76%	Tyre wear, Lamp and bulb faults
1994	5	124	62.1%	Corrosion, Emissions test issues
1993	7	159	65.4%	Tyre wear, Parking brake faults
1992	7	116	74.1%	Tyre wear, Exhaust

What to check when buying a used TOYOTA MR2

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Lambda sensor issues. Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.
Emissions test issues. Ask for the emissions printout and whether any repair followed a failed test.
Exhaust. Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Buying a TOYOTA MR2?

Common problems tell you what can affect TOYOTA MR2s generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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