1991 Toyota Supra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 283 MOT tests, the 1991 Toyota Supra recorded an 84.8% pass rate. That is 3.5 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 18.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 8.8% of all tests — 3.5 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, service brake performance and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 14 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 19.6% versus 6.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 29.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 17.0% in 2021 to 13.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 25 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.3% | 15 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.3% | 15 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.0% | 14 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.5% | 10 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 6 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 14 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 12 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 11 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 10 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 7 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 6 |
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 | 29.3% | 83 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.0% | 82 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 23.0% | 65 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.4% | 38 |
| 5 | Tyres | 11.3% | 32 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.2% | 26 |
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 | 32 | 6.3% |
| 60-90k | 76 | 15.8% |
| 90-120k | 76 | 17.1% |
| 120-150k | 45 | 11.1% |
| 150k+ | 51 | 19.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 59 | 17.0% |
| 2022 | 57 | 19.3% |
| 2023 | 56 | 14.3% |
| 2024 | 45 | 11.1% |
| 2025 | 66 | 13.6% |
What to check before buying a 1991 Supra
On a 1991 Supra, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (5.3% 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 (5.3% 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 1991 Toyota Supras pass their MOT?
84.8% of the 283 1991 Toyota Supra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Toyota Supra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.8% of tests, followed by brakes (5.3%).
Does the 1991 Supra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.3% in the 30-60k band to 19.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 283 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.