1989 Toyota Mr2 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,627 MOT tests on the 1989 Toyota Mr2 are in this dataset, and 81.1% of them passed. That is 1.5 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 17.4%. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (9.2%) and suspension (8.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, rbt (sp) and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 190 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 0.0% in the 0-30k band and 27.8% in the 150k+ band, a 27.8-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 25.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 21.8% in 2021 to 16.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 9.2% | 150 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.7% | 142 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 7.7% | 126 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.9% | 80 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.3% | 54 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.0% | 33 |
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 | 190 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 75 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 74 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 58 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 53 |
| 6 | Parking brake performance | 50 |
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 | 25.1% | 408 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.4% | 250 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 166 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 10.0% | 162 |
| 5 | Tyres | 8.8% | 143 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.0% | 98 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 43 | 0.0% |
| 30-60k | 220 | 11.8% |
| 60-90k | 332 | 18.7% |
| 90-120k | 487 | 19.9% |
| 120-150k | 353 | 19.6% |
| 150k+ | 191 | 27.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 340 | 21.8% |
| 2022 | 338 | 20.1% |
| 2023 | 330 | 19.1% |
| 2024 | 311 | 16.4% |
| 2025 | 308 | 16.9% |
What to check before buying a 1989 Mr2
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 9.2% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (9.2% 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.
- Suspension (8.7% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (7.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 1989 Toyota Mr2s pass their MOT?
81.1% of the 1,627 1989 Toyota Mr2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1989 Toyota Mr2?
Brakes, recorded in 9.2% of tests, followed by suspension (8.7%).
Does the 1989 Mr2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 0.0% in the 0-30k band to 27.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,627 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.