Toyota Starlet MOT pass rate and common problems
71.7% of 8,052 Toyota Starlet MOT tests pass.
The Starlet passes 71.7% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Toyota models (82.3%).
The Toyota Starlet passes 71.7% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Toyota Starlet?
This is the average across every Toyota Starlet in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Toyota’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Toyota Starlet tested at 3–6 years pass 93.3% of the time, compared with just 71.4% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 93.3% | 30 | 97,522 miles |
| 6–10 years | 90.6% | 64 | 95,522 miles |
| 10–15 years | 84.0% | 50 | 124,695 miles |
| 15+ years | 71.4% | 7,907 | 91,778 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Toyota Starlet
The most common reason the Toyota Starlet fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 57.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 57.0% | Not working |
| Brakes | 40.8% | Across an axle |
| Suspension | 38.5% | Has a serious fluid leak |
| Body, chassis, structure | 29.6% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 24.9% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Visibility | 17.2% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 16.3% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 5.3% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 3.1% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.5% | Inscription illegible |
Buying a used Toyota Starlet: what to check
These checks follow the Toyota Starlet’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Toyota Starlet comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 84.0% to 71.4%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 91.9% down to 80.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 57.0% of failed Toyota Starlet MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 40.8% of failed Toyota Starlet MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 14.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 38.5% of failed Toyota Starlet MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 13.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 29.6% of failed Toyota Starlet MOTs. 10.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 3.3% at 3–6 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 24.9% of failed Toyota Starlet MOTs.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Toyota service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Toyota models
- Toyota Proace — 79.5% pass rate
- Toyota Celica — 68.2% pass rate
- Toyota GT86 — 88.8% pass rate
- Toyota Previa — 66.3% pass rate
- Toyota Vellfire — 92.4% pass rate
- Toyota GR Yaris — 96.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Toyota Starlet?
- 71.7% of Toyota Starlet MOT tests pass, based on 8,052 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Toyota Starlet?
- The most common reason the Toyota Starlet fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 57.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Toyota Starlet?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Toyota Starlet are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Toyota Starlet?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; bodywork and corrosion; exhaust, emissions and leaks. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Toyota Starlet's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Toyota service history guide for how to check and keep one.