1997 Toyota Picnic: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1997 Toyota Picnic?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1997 Toyota Picnic than on all cars registered in 1997.

• Coil springs4.9× usual
  Toyota Picnic

  32.9% All 1997 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.9% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Engine oil leaks2.3× usual
  Toyota Picnic

  38.4% All 1997 cars

  16.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.4% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Tyre condition2.7× usual
  Toyota Picnic

  29.3% All 1997 cars

  10.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.9%, against 2.4% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

Common 1997 Toyota Picnic MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1997 Toyota Picnic MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  47% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  40% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Tyres
  39% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Lights and electrics
  35% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Brakes
  32% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Exhaust and emissions
  29% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1997 Toyota Picnic

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 4.9× as often on the 1997 Toyota Picnic as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 1997 Toyota Picnic as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the tyre condition? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 1997 Toyota Picnic as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?