Used car guide

1992 Toyota MR2: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1992 Toyota MR2s, from 311 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 311 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

311MOT tests in 2025
65%pass first time (all 1992 cars: 69%)
3,400typical miles a year
5.1×the usual rate for exhaust emissions (catalyst)

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1992 Toyota MR2s than on all cars registered in 1992.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)5.1× usual
    Toyota MR2
    12.2% All 1992 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12.2%, against 2.3% of all 1992 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.

  • Coil springs2.3× usual
    Toyota MR2
    11.9% All 1992 cars
    5.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.6% of all 1992 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

By area

The share of 1992 Toyota MR2 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    37% 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.

  • Suspension
    35% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    28% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Lights and electrics
    23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    21% 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.

  • Tyres
    20% 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.

Looking at a Toyota MR2?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006718Brakes 35%
2005776Brakes 36%
20041,094Brakes 38%
20031,128Brakes 36%
2002960Brakes 39%
2001803Brakes 37%
2000864Brakes 38%
1999265Suspension 31%
1998365Brakes 27%
1997248Brakes 31%
1996210Brakes 29%
1995178Brakes 34%
1994219Brakes 28%
1993293Suspension 33%
1991242Suspension 37%
1990248Suspension 31%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1992 Toyota MR2s registered in 1992. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score