1996 Toyota Granvia — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 346 MOT tests, the 1996 Toyota Granvia recorded a 74.3% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 24.3% of the time, so this is 1.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.2% of all tests — 7.8 points clear of body, structure & corrosion, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, exhaust system and headlamp aim — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 25 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1996 Granvia fails 28.3% of the time in the 60-90k band and 30.2% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 32.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 63 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.4% | 36 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.0% | 31 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.5% | 26 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.7% | 23 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.3% | 15 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 25 |
| 2 | Exhaust system | 22 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 22 |
| 4 | Wipers | 20 |
| 5 | Flexible brake hoses | 17 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 15 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 32.1% | 111 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.2% | 101 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.0% | 76 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.4% | 74 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 43 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.3% | 32 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 46 | 28.3% |
| 90-120k | 69 | 18.8% |
| 120-150k | 82 | 25.6% |
| 150k+ | 129 | 30.2% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 273 | 27.8% |
| Petrol | 73 | 17.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 151 | 29.8% |
| 2025 | 122 | 23.8% |
What to check before buying a 1996 Granvia
On a 1996 Granvia, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.4% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (9.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1996 Toyota Granvias pass their MOT?
74.3% of the 346 1996 Toyota Granvia MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1996 Toyota Granvia?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.2% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (10.4%).
Does the 1996 Granvia get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.3% in the 60-90k band to 30.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 346 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.