Used car guide

1995 Toyota MR2: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1995 Toyota MR2s, from 178 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 178 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

178MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 1995 cars: 67%)
3,800typical miles a year
34%had brakes flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 1995 Toyota MR2 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    34% 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
    31% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    24% 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
    21% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    15% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    11% 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.

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%
1994219Brakes 28%
1993293Suspension 33%
1992311Brakes 37%
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 1995 Toyota MR2s registered in 1995. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score