2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Toyota MR2 MOT pass rate and common faults

1,252 MOT tests in 2024. 67.5% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

118Well above average
Passed first time67.5%
Failed or needed repairs32.5%
Typical mileage at test90,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,252 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements10.8%
  2. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side5.4%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.5%
  4. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.5%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value2.7%
    42 marked dangerous
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.4%
  7. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.2%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.1%
  9. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits2.0%
  10. Position lamp: not working1.9%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes29.7%
  2. Lights & electrics14.8%
  3. Emissions & leaks14.4%
  4. Suspension12.3%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.7%
  6. Tyres3.8%
  7. Body & chassis2.8%
  8. Steering1.4%

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 weakened10.7%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.7%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.3%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm8.6%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine8.2%

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 2003 Toyota MR2?

In 2024, 67.5% of 2003 Toyota MR2 cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,252 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Toyota MR2?

The most common failure reasons were rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; parking brake performance: inoperative on one side; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2003 Toyota MR2 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 118, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).