2007 Toyota Mr2 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 314 MOT tests, the 2007 Toyota Mr2 recorded a 76.1% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 21.5% of the time, so this is 2.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.3% of tests against 12.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, service brake performance and rbt (sp) — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 33 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 26.8% versus 22.5%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 26.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.7% in 2021 to 24.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.3% | 48 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.1% | 38 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.3% | 26 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.3% | 26 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.8% | 12 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.2% | 10 |
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 | 33 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 23 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 18 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 16 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 16 |
| 6 | Rear fog lamp | 15 |
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 | 26.8% | 84 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.3% | 67 |
| 3 | Tyres | 15.3% | 48 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 43 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.4% | 39 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.9% | 28 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 80 | 22.5% |
| 90-120k | 102 | 23.5% |
| 120-150k | 69 | 26.1% |
| 150k+ | 41 | 26.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 87 | 28.7% |
| 2022 | 65 | 20.0% |
| 2023 | 66 | 21.2% |
| 2024 | 55 | 23.6% |
| 2025 | 41 | 24.4% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Mr2
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.1% 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 (8.3% 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 2007 Toyota Mr2s pass their MOT?
76.1% of the 314 2007 Toyota Mr2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Toyota Mr2?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.3% of tests, followed by brakes (12.1%).
Does the 2007 Mr2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.5% in the 60-90k band to 26.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 314 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.