1986 Toyota Mr2 — MOT failures & pass rate
523 MOT tests on the 1986 Toyota Mr2 are in this dataset, and 79.0% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 16.1% of the time, so this is 4.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Brakes dominates the failure mix at 11.7% of all tests — 3.4 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, service brake performance and rbt (sp) — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 41 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 24.1% versus 11.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 27.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 11.7% | 61 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 8.2% | 43 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.6% | 40 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 24 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.4% | 23 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.0% | 21 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 41 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 39 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 30 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 20 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 19 |
| 6 | Wipers | 16 |
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 | 27.2% | 142 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.9% | 104 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 11.1% | 58 |
| 4 | Tyres | 10.7% | 56 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.1% | 53 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.0% | 42 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 52 | 11.5% |
| 60-90k | 157 | 21.7% |
| 90-120k | 142 | 19.0% |
| 120-150k | 86 | 26.7% |
| 150k+ | 79 | 24.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 95 | 17.9% |
| 2022 | 111 | 22.5% |
| 2023 | 119 | 24.4% |
| 2024 | 104 | 20.2% |
| 2025 | 94 | 19.1% |
What to check before buying a 1986 Mr2
On a 1986 Mr2, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (11.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (8.2% 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.
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 1986 Toyota Mr2s pass their MOT?
79.0% of the 523 1986 Toyota Mr2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1986 Toyota Mr2?
Brakes, recorded in 11.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (8.2%).
Does the 1986 Mr2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.5% in the 30-60k band to 24.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 523 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.