2001 Toyota Mr2 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,974 MOT tests, the 2001 Toyota Mr2 recorded a 73.9% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 22.5% of the time, so this is 3.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: brakes, recorded in 17.9% of tests against 11.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), catalyst emissions and parking brake performance — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 802 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.3% in the 0-30k band and 29.0% in the 150k+ band, a 18.6-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 31.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 17.9% | 1,071 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 662 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.3% | 495 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.7% | 458 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.6% | 216 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.9% | 171 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 802 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 613 |
| 3 | Parking brake performance | 445 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 314 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 247 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 240 |
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 | 31.1% | 1,855 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.1% | 1,621 |
| 3 | Tyres | 18.1% | 1,082 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 896 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 10.0% | 597 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.0% | 360 |
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 | 126 | 10.3% |
| 30-60k | 769 | 19.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,933 | 24.6% |
| 90-120k | 2,084 | 29.0% |
| 120-150k | 765 | 29.1% |
| 150k+ | 290 | 29.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,460 | 26.2% |
| 2022 | 1,291 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 1,199 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 1,058 | 25.6% |
| 2025 | 966 | 25.5% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Mr2
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 17.9% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (17.9% 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 (11.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (8.3% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2001 Toyota Mr2s pass their MOT?
73.9% of the 5,974 2001 Toyota Mr2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Toyota Mr2?
Brakes, recorded in 17.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.1%).
Does the 2001 Mr2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.3% in the 0-30k band to 29.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,974 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.