1990 Toyota Supra — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1990 Toyota Supra passed 86.0% of its 385 recorded MOT tests. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 18.2% of the time, so this is 4.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.6%) and suspension (6.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and chassis condition — wipers alone was recorded 20 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.8% in the 30-60k band and 20.3% in the 150k+ band, a 4.5-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 23.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 20.4% in 2021 to 9.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 33 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.0% | 23 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.7% | 22 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.1% | 12 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.9% | 11 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.3% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 20 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 12 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 11 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 10 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 9 |
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 | 23.1% | 89 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.8% | 80 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 16.4% | 63 |
| 4 | Tyres | 13.3% | 51 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.5% | 48 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.3% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 57 | 15.8% |
| 60-90k | 79 | 10.1% |
| 90-120k | 97 | 15.5% |
| 120-150k | 87 | 11.5% |
| 150k+ | 59 | 20.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88 | 20.4% |
| 2022 | 81 | 13.6% |
| 2023 | 69 | 10.1% |
| 2024 | 73 | 15.1% |
| 2025 | 74 | 9.5% |
What to check before buying a 1990 Supra
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 8.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (8.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.0% 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.
- Visibility (5.7% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 1990 Toyota Supras pass their MOT?
86.0% of the 385 1990 Toyota Supra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1990 Toyota Supra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.6% of tests, followed by suspension (6.0%).
Does the 1990 Supra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.8% in the 30-60k band to 20.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 385 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.