2001 Toyota MR2: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 Toyota MR2?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 Toyota MR2 than on all cars registered in 2001.

• Shock absorbers2.4× usual
  Toyota MR2

  14.7% All 2001 cars

  6.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.4% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Handbrake performance7.6× usual
  Toyota MR2

  6.8% All 2001 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 0.9% of all 2001 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)2.5× usual
  Toyota MR2

  8% All 2001 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8%, against 3.1% of all 2001 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.

Common 2001 Toyota MR2 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 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.

• Lights and electrics
  27% 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
  22% 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
  12% 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
  11% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2001 Toyota MR2

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2001 Toyota MR2 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the handbrake performance? (Flagged at MOT 7.6× as often on the 2001 Toyota MR2 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2001 Toyota MR2 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?