1998 Toyota Picnic — MOT failures & pass rate
579 MOT tests on the 1998 Toyota Picnic are in this dataset, and 72.2% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (25.8% fail rate), the 1998 Picnic comes out 2.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.6%) and suspension (12.8%) 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 joints — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 82 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.8% in the 60-90k band and 32.5% in the 150k+ band, a 11.7-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 44.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 79 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.8% | 74 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.1% | 64 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.8% | 57 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.6% | 44 |
| 6 | Brakes | 6.9% | 40 |
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 | 82 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 70 |
| 3 | Joints | 47 |
| 4 | Wipers | 39 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 30 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 26 |
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 | 44.6% | 258 |
| 2 | Tyres | 34.0% | 197 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 32.1% | 186 |
| 4 | Brakes | 25.7% | 149 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.5% | 136 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.4% | 89 |
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 | 48 | 20.8% |
| 90-120k | 125 | 23.2% |
| 120-150k | 129 | 28.7% |
| 150k+ | 243 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 490 | 28.6% |
| Diesel | 89 | 23.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 191 | 28.3% |
| 2022 | 136 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 111 | 27.0% |
| 2024 | 84 | 27.4% |
| 2025 | 57 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Picnic
On a 1998 Picnic, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.8% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 1998 Toyota Picnics pass their MOT?
72.2% of the 579 1998 Toyota Picnic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Toyota Picnic?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.6% of tests, followed by suspension (12.8%).
Does the 1998 Picnic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.8% in the 60-90k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 579 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.