Used car guide

2003 Toyota MR2: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Toyota MR2s, from 1,128 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,128MOT tests in 2025
68%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
4,100typical miles a year
5.1×the usual rate for handbrake performance

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Toyota MR2s than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Handbrake performance5.1× usual
    Toyota MR2
    5.1% All 2003 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 1% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2× usual
    Toyota MR2
    5.9% All 2003 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.9% of all 2003 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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 6.6% here, against 18.3% of all 2003 cars. Tread depth: 8.2% here, against 17.4% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Toyota MR2 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    36% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    22% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    17% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    8% 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 MR2?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006718Brakes 35%
2005776Brakes 36%
20041,094Brakes 38%
2002960Brakes 39%
2001803Brakes 37%
2000864Brakes 38%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Toyota MR2s registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score