1996 Toyota Paseo — MOT failures & pass rate
601 MOT tests on the 1996 Toyota Paseo are in this dataset, and 78.9% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (24.7% fail rate), the 1996 Paseo comes out 3.6pp better. Failures cluster in suspension, emissions & environmental and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (11.2%) and emissions & environmental (9.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, catalyst emissions and wheel bearings — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 73 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.1% in the 30-60k band and 24.1% in the 150k+ band, a 10.0-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 20.3% in 2021 to 17.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 11.2% | 67 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 9.2% | 55 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 8.3% | 50 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.3% | 44 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.7% | 40 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.5% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 73 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 70 |
| 3 | Wheel bearings | 30 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 26 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 23 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 21 |
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 | 36.9% | 222 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.9% | 174 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.0% | 126 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.3% | 116 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 77 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.0% | 60 |
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 | 85 | 14.1% |
| 60-90k | 134 | 13.4% |
| 90-120k | 188 | 23.4% |
| 120-150k | 127 | 31.5% |
| 150k+ | 54 | 24.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 133 | 20.3% |
| 2022 | 141 | 24.1% |
| 2023 | 122 | 19.7% |
| 2024 | 112 | 23.2% |
| 2025 | 93 | 17.2% |
What to check before buying a 1996 Paseo
On a 1996 Paseo, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (11.2% 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 (9.2% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Lighting & signalling (8.3% 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
How many 1996 Toyota Paseos pass their MOT?
78.9% of the 601 1996 Toyota Paseo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1996 Toyota Paseo?
Suspension, recorded in 11.2% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (9.2%).
Does the 1996 Paseo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.1% in the 30-60k band to 24.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 601 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.