Used car guide

2012 Toyota GT86: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Toyota GT86s, from 1,162 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,162MOT tests in 2025
79%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
5,900typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Toyota GT86s than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Ball joint dust cover2× usual
    Toyota GT86
    5.8% All 2012 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 1.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.9× usual
    Toyota GT86
    3.2% All 2012 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Wheel bearings2.3× usual
    Toyota GT86
    3.5% All 2012 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.6% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

Better than most

Coil springs: 4% here, against 9.6% of all 2012 cars. Engine oil leaks: 3.2% here, against 7.3% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Toyota GT86 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    24% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Suspension
    19% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    19% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    16% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    6% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Toyota GT86?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2017620Tyres 24%
2016627Tyres 24%
2015708Tyres 22%
2014905Tyres 25%
20131,522Tyres 22%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Toyota GT86s registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score