Used car guide

1996 Toyota MR2: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1996 Toyota MR2s, from 210 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 210 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

210MOT tests in 2025
64%pass first time (all 1996 cars: 67%)
3,600typical miles a year
3.9×the usual rate for exhaust emissions (catalyst)

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1996 Toyota MR2s than on all cars registered in 1996.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.9× usual
    Toyota MR2
    16.7% All 1996 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 16.7%, against 4.2% of all 1996 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.

By area

The share of 1996 Toyota MR2 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    29% 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
    29% 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.

  • 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    23% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    19% 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%
1995178Brakes 34%
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 1996 Toyota MR2s registered in 1996. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score