2002 Toyota Mr2 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,010 MOT tests, the 2002 Toyota Mr2 recorded a 73.7% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 22.6% of the time, so this is 3.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Brakes dominates the failure mix at 18.0% of all tests — 6.0 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), catalyst emissions and parking brake performance — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 916 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.0% in the 0-30k band and 29.4% in the 150k+ band, a 15.4-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 27.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.6% in 2021 to 25.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 18.0% | 1,260 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.9% | 838 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 7.7% | 539 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.3% | 510 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.6% | 252 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.0% | 213 |
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) | 916 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 620 |
| 3 | Parking brake performance | 470 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 382 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 309 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 274 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 27.0% | 1,891 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.0% | 1,824 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.3% | 1,215 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 1,100 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 10.8% | 757 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.6% | 463 |
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 | 114 | 14.0% |
| 30-60k | 924 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,426 | 25.7% |
| 90-120k | 2,317 | 27.8% |
| 120-150k | 968 | 33.4% |
| 150k+ | 255 | 29.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,666 | 27.6% |
| 2022 | 1,509 | 26.4% |
| 2023 | 1,405 | 26.1% |
| 2024 | 1,267 | 25.3% |
| 2025 | 1,163 | 25.5% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Mr2
On a 2002 Mr2, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (18.0% 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 (11.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (7.7% 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 2002 Toyota Mr2s pass their MOT?
73.7% of the 7,010 2002 Toyota Mr2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Toyota Mr2?
Brakes, recorded in 18.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.9%).
Does the 2002 Mr2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.0% in the 0-30k band to 29.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,010 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.