1997 Toyota Granvia — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1997 Toyota Granvia passed 76.1% of its 264 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (24.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.7% of tests against 7.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, rigid brake pipes and wipers — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 19 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 29.0% versus 18.9%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 37.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 31 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.6% | 20 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.4% | 17 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 16 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.3% | 14 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.8% | 10 |
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 | 19 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 11 |
| 3 | Wipers | 11 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 10 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 10 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 7 |
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 | 37.9% | 100 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.8% | 68 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.4% | 54 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.4% | 46 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 37 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.5% | 33 |
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 | 53 | 18.9% |
| 90-120k | 51 | 17.6% |
| 120-150k | 62 | 24.2% |
| 150k+ | 93 | 29.0% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 181 | 23.8% |
| Petrol | 83 | 24.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 96 | 26.0% |
| 2025 | 102 | 23.5% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Granvia
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.6% 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.
- Brakes (6.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 1997 Toyota Granvias pass their MOT?
76.1% of the 264 1997 Toyota Granvia MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Toyota Granvia?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.7% of tests, followed by suspension (7.6%).
Does the 1997 Granvia get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.9% in the 60-90k band to 29.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 264 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.