1998 Toyota Starlet · 5,114 MOT tests
1998 Toyota Starlet reliability
1998 Toyota Starlets fail 36.5% of first MOT tests, 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 3 Starlet years (5,114 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Toyota Starlets: 34.6%)
- 36.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Toyota Starlets: 34.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 3% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 85,238
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 5,114
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1998 against the years either side
- 1997 cars: 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does better)
- 1999 cars: 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- Weak spot: number plates and vin, 1.3% of tests fail here (68% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 62% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1998 Toyota Starlet
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics13.9%
- Brakes10.7%
- Suspension10.6%
- Body, chassis and structure10.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.6%
- Tyres5.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.42%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Service brakes uneven across an axle 3.15%
One wheel is braking much less than its pair, so the car may pull to one side and stop poorly.
Lambda reading outside specified limits 3.05%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.95%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Position lamp not working 2.74%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 2.72%
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
Common advisories
Wheel bearing slight play (10.83%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (10.27%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (9.84%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.74%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (8.56%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (8.27%)
Other years
Every Toyota Starlet year
The full picture: Toyota Starlet reliability. Before you pay for any Toyota Starlet, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1998 Toyota Starlet reliable?
1998 Toyota Starlets fail 36.5% of first MOT tests, 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 3 Starlet years (5,114 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1998 Toyota Starlet MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (4.42% of tests), service brakes uneven across an axle (3.15% of tests), lambda reading outside specified limits (3.05% of tests).
How many miles should a 1998 Toyota Starlet have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1998 Toyota Starlet shows 85,238 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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