Toyota Paseo MOT pass rate & common failures
The Toyota Paseo appears in 996 MOT tests spanning model years 1996–2019, and 76.9% of them passed. That is 1.8 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 24.9%. Its most common failure areas are suspension, emissions & environmental and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (11.8%) and emissions & environmental (10.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 122 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.2% in the 30-60k band and 27.0% in the 150k+ band, a 13.8-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 36.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every Paseo model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 601 | 78.9% | 21.1% | Suspension |
| 1997 | 335 | 73.4% | 26.6% | Suspension |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 11.8% | 117 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 10.0% | 100 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.3% | 93 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.1% | 71 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 68 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.1% | 21 |
| 7 | Visibility | 1.8% | 18 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.7% | 17 |
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 | 122 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 111 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 51 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 43 |
| 5 | Wheel bearings | 35 |
| 6 | Joints | 34 |
| 7 | Shock absorbers | 34 |
| 8 | Exhaust system | 32 |
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 | 36.4% | 362 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.7% | 276 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.6% | 205 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.9% | 188 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.6% | 115 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.9% | 109 |
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 | 129 | 13.2% |
| 60-90k | 245 | 17.1% |
| 90-120k | 277 | 25.3% |
| 120-150k | 233 | 32.2% |
| 150k+ | 89 | 27.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 225 | 21.8% |
| 2022 | 222 | 25.7% |
| 2023 | 196 | 21.9% |
| 2024 | 186 | 23.7% |
| 2025 | 167 | 22.2% |
What to check before buying a Toyota Paseo
- Suspension (11.8% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (10.0% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Lighting & signalling (9.3% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Toyota Paseo?
76.9% of the 996 Toyota Paseo MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 23.1% fail rate, across model years 1996–2019.
What does the Toyota Paseo most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension, recorded in 11.8% of tests, then emissions & environmental (10.0%).
How much does mileage affect Paseo MOT results?
Fail rates run at 13.2% for cars in the 30-60k band and 27.0% for 150k+, a 13.8-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 996 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.