2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Toyota MR2 MOT pass rate and common faults

1,172 MOT tests in 2024. 68.4% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

121Well above average
Passed first time68.4%
Failed or needed repairs31.6%
Typical mileage at test84,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,172 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements9.1%
  2. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side4.8%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value3.5%
    46 marked dangerous
  4. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.3%
  5. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.2%
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.4%
  7. Position lamp: not working2.1%
  8. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.0%
  9. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.9%
  10. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits1.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes28.6%
  2. Lights & electrics14.2%
  3. Emissions & leaks12.6%
  4. Suspension10.1%
  5. Tyres4.1%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.6%
  7. Body & chassis2.6%
  8. Steering1.0%

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 weakened13.1%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.0%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine10.0%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded8.5%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.5%

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 2004 Toyota MR2?

In 2024, 68.4% of 2004 Toyota MR2 cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,172 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Toyota MR2?

The most common failure reasons were rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; parking brake performance: inoperative on one side; rbt (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2004 Toyota MR2 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 121, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).