2001 · 23 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2001 Toyota MR2 MOT pass rate and common faults

861 MOT tests in 2024. 64.9% passed first time, compared with 59.4% for all cars the same age.

109Well above average
Passed first time64.9%
Failed or needed repairs35.1%
Typical mileage at test92,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 861 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements12.0%
  2. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side7.2%
  3. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak3.7%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value3.7%
    41 marked dangerous
  5. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.6%
  6. Position lamp: not working3.5%
  7. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.0%
  8. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits2.4%
  9. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.3%
  10. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.1%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Brakes36.9%
  2. Lights & electrics19.5%
  3. Emissions & leaks16.0%
  4. Suspension11.3%
  5. Tyres3.4%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.1%
  7. Body & chassis3.0%
  8. Steering2.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened12.5%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.3%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.0%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.9%
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak10.2%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2001 Toyota MR2?

In 2024, 64.9% of 2001 Toyota MR2 cars passed their MOT first time, across 861 tests. The average for all 23-year-old cars was 59.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2001 Toyota MR2?

The most common failure reasons were rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; parking brake performance: inoperative on one side; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2001 Toyota MR2 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 109, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).