2002 Toyota MR2 · 3,946 MOT tests
2002 Toyota MR2 reliability
2002 Toyota MR2s fail 36.2% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 7 of 9 MR2 years (3,946 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Toyota MR2s: 33.3%)
- 36.2%
- first-time fail rate (all Toyota MR2s: 33.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 12% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 21
- 89,653
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 21
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,946
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2002 against the years either side
- 2001 cars: 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does better)
- 2003 cars: 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does worse)
- Weak spot: brakes, 21.3% of tests fail here (67% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 68% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2002 car carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
Common problems
What fails on a 2002 Toyota MR2
Fail rate by area
- Brakes21.3%
- Lights and electrics14.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks8.9%
- Suspension8.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.1%
- Tyres3.3%
- Body, chassis and structure2.8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 9.88%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Parking brake inoperative on one side 6.11%
The parking brake does not work on one side, so the car may not hold on a slope and needs repair.
Position lamp not working 3.98%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Parking brake efficiency under half required 3.88%
The parking brake is well below required strength and is unlikely to hold the car on a slope.
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.91%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Lambda reading outside specified limits 2.74%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Common advisories
Brake disc pitted or scored (10.26%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (8.34%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (7.53%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.17%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (7.1%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (4.61%)
Is a 2002 Toyota MR2 reliable?
2002 Toyota MR2s fail 36.2% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 7 of 9 MR2 years (3,946 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2002 Toyota MR2 MOT?
Most often parking brake efficiency below minimum (9.88% of tests), parking brake inoperative on one side (6.11% of tests), position lamp not working (3.98% of tests).
How many miles should a 2002 Toyota MR2 have done?
At its MOT aged about 21, a typical 2002 Toyota MR2 shows 89,653 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2002 car?
A car first registered in 2002 carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
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