1998 Toyota Supra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 559 MOT tests, the 1998 Toyota Supra recorded an 85.2% pass rate. That is 6.7 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 21.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.7% of tests against 4.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, rear fog lamp and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 20 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.5% in the 30-60k band and 21.7% in the 150k+ band, a 16.3-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 20.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 11.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 54 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.5% | 25 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.3% | 24 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.1% | 23 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.8% | 21 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.8% | 10 |
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 | 20 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 19 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 16 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 16 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 14 |
| 6 | Wipers | 14 |
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 | 20.9% | 117 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.3% | 102 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.1% | 90 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.7% | 71 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.4% | 47 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.0% | 39 |
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 | 55 | 5.5% |
| 60-90k | 153 | 10.5% |
| 90-120k | 168 | 14.9% |
| 120-150k | 76 | 25.0% |
| 150k+ | 92 | 21.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 128 | 11.7% |
| 2022 | 120 | 15.0% |
| 2023 | 116 | 17.2% |
| 2024 | 103 | 12.6% |
| 2025 | 92 | 18.5% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Supra
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 9.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (9.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (4.5% 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.
- Brakes (4.3% 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.
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 Supras pass their MOT?
85.2% of the 559 1998 Toyota Supra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Toyota Supra?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.7% of tests, followed by suspension (4.5%).
Does the 1998 Supra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.5% in the 30-60k band to 21.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 559 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.