MOT failure data · 2025

Toyota Starlet MOT problems

Across every Toyota Starlet that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt, on 7.43% of failure items. The broadest problem area was brakes at 18.57%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.

Most common Toyota Starlet MOT failures

#	Recorded defect	Area	Share
1	Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	Body, chassis, structure	7.43%
2	Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak	Suspension	5.99%
3	Service brake imbalance across an axle	Brakes	5.03%
4	Catalyst emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits	Noise, emissions and leaks	4.11%
5	Component mounting prescribed areas prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength	Suspension	3.83%
6	Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	3.59%
7	Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively	Visibility	3.39%
8	Rbt (sp) efficiency below requirements	Brakes	2.8%
9	Wheel bearings has excessive play	Suspension	2.76%
10	Exhaust system has a major leak of exhaust gases	Body, chassis, structure	2.64%

Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.

What this means if you are buying one

Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Toyota Starlet, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.

The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Toyota Starlet buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.

Checking a specific Toyota Starlet?

Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.

Other Toyota models

Toyota Starlet MOT FAQs

What does a Toyota Starlet most commonly fail its MOT on?

The single most recorded defect on Toyota Starlet cars failing their 2025 MOT was "joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt", appearing on 7.43% of failure items.

Does this mean my Toyota Starlet will fail?

No. This is what testers recorded across every Toyota Starlet that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Toyota Starlet passed 71.9% of its initial tests.

How do I see a specific Toyota Starlet's MOT history?

Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.

Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.