At a Glance
The Toyota Starlet has 23 identified common problems across 4 generations, with the P90 (1996-1999) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 285K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Toyota Starlet common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Toyota Starlet generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Toyota Starlet Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
P60
Most common MOT failure: Suspension component mounting corroded
P70
Most common MOT failure: Suspension component mounting corroded
P80
P90
Top issue: Wiper blades deteriorated
Most Common Toyota Starlet MOT Failures
Every reason Toyota Starlet vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 17.64% |
| 2 | Number plate lamp not working | 9.91% |
| 3 | Exhaust system fault | 8.44% |
| 4 | Front lamp not working | 5.73% |
| 5 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 5.25% |
| 6 | Windscreen washer not working | 4.40% |
| 7 | Brake performance below minimum | 3.03% |
| 8 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.65% |
| 9 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.41% |
| 10 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.34% |
| 11 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 2.28% |
| 12 | Driveshaft fault | 2.17% |
| 13 | Fog lamp not working | 2.15% |
| 14 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.99% |
| 15 | Rear lamp not working | 1.92% |
| 16 | Parking brake condition | 1.57% |
| 17 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 1.56% |
| 18 | Stop lamp not working | 1.46% |
| 19 | Tyre condition | 1.38% |
| 20 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.29% |
| 21 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.28% |
| 22 | Position lamp not working | 1.26% |
| 23 | Horn not working | 1.19% |
| 24 | Seat belt condition | 1.17% |
| 25 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.14% |
| 26 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.98% |
| 27 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 0.84% |
| 28 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.83% |
| 29 | Front suspension fault | 0.78% |
| 30 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.77% |
| 31 | Headlamp fault | 0.75% |
| 32 | Rear suspension fault | 0.73% |
| 33 | Steering rack fault | 0.68% |
| 34 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.53% |
| 35 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.47% |
| 36 | Chassis condition | 0.44% |
| 37 | Indicator fault | 0.40% |
| 38 | Track rod end worn | 0.35% |
| 39 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.30% |
| 40 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.29% |
| 41 | Brake pedal fault | 0.28% |
| 42 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.22% |
| 43 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.22% |
| 44 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.21% |
| 45 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.18% |
| 46 | ABS fault | 0.18% |
| 47 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.17% |
| 48 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.16% |
| 49 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.16% |
| 50 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.15% |
| 51 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.15% |
| 52 | CV joint worn | 0.15% |
| 53 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.15% |
| 54 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.14% |
| 55 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.14% |
| 56 | Electrical switch fault | 0.12% |
| 57 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.12% |
| 58 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.11% |
| 59 | Steering lock fault | 0.11% |
| 60 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.11% |
| 61 | Brake lever fault | 0.11% |
| 62 | Brake fluid leak | 0.10% |
| 63 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.10% |
| 64 | Brake caliper fault | 0.09% |
| 65 | Engine oil leak | 0.07% |
| 66 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.06% |
| 67 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.06% |
| 68 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.06% |
| 69 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.06% |
| 70 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.06% |
| 71 | Body security fault | 0.06% |
| 72 | Propshaft fault | 0.06% |
| 73 | Driver door fault | 0.06% |
| 74 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.06% |
| 75 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.06% |
| 76 | Power steering pump fault | 0.06% |
| 77 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.06% |
| 78 | Airbag warning light on | 0.05% |
| 79 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.04% |
| 80 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 81 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.04% |
| 82 | Steering operation fault | 0.04% |
| 83 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 84 | Driver airbag fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | Steering column fault | 0.03% |
| 86 | Steering free play excessive | 0.02% |
| 87 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 88 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 89 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 90 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 92 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.02% |
| 94 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 96 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Steering arm worn | 0.02% |
| 99 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 100 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Main beam warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.01% |
| 103 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 104 | Brake clevis joint worn | 0.01% |
| 105 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.01% |
| 107 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.01% |
| 108 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 109 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.01% |
| 110 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.01% |
| 111 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 113 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 114 | Drag link end worn | <0.01% |
| 115 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 116 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 120 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 121 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 122 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 124 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 125 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 128 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 132 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Subframe corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 136 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 137 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 138 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 139 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 146 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 147 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 149 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 152 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 153 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 155 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 156 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 157 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 160 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 161 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Toyota Starlet MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Toyota Starlet, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Toyota Starlet problems?
Based on analysis of 285K Toyota Starlet MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 23 identified common problems across 4 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Wiper blades deteriorated". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Toyota Starlet generation has the most problems?
The Toyota Starlet P90 (1996-1999) (1996–1999) has the highest number of identified common problems (31). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Toyota Starlet?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Toyota Starlet owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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