1993 Toyota Mr2 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,782 MOT tests on the 1993 Toyota Mr2 are in this dataset, and 72.7% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 19.3% of the time, so this is 8.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in emissions & environmental, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Emissions & environmental dominates the failure mix at 16.7% of all tests — 4.5 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and service brake performance — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 465 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.8% in the 30-60k band and 28.8% in the 150k+ band, a 13.0-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 25.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 16.7% | 298 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.2% | 217 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.8% | 175 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.2% | 146 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.2% | 92 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.7% | 83 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 465 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 123 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 120 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 109 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 83 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 61 |
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 | 25.7% | 458 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 24.1% | 429 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.6% | 420 |
| 4 | Tyres | 14.9% | 265 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.9% | 195 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.3% | 147 |
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 | 152 | 15.8% |
| 60-90k | 353 | 23.8% |
| 90-120k | 558 | 31.0% |
| 120-150k | 440 | 29.1% |
| 150k+ | 250 | 28.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 385 | 28.6% |
| 2022 | 353 | 25.5% |
| 2023 | 346 | 27.5% |
| 2024 | 345 | 26.1% |
| 2025 | 353 | 28.6% |
What to check before buying a 1993 Mr2
On a 1993 Mr2, emissions & environmental is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Emissions & environmental (16.7% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Brakes (12.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (9.8% 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 1993 Toyota Mr2s pass their MOT?
72.7% of the 1,782 1993 Toyota Mr2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1993 Toyota Mr2?
Emissions & environmental, recorded in 16.7% of tests, followed by brakes (12.2%).
Does the 1993 Mr2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.8% in the 30-60k band to 28.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,782 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.