1998 Toyota Picnic petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1998 Toyota Picnic petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1998 Toyota Picnic petrol than on all cars registered in 1998.

• Coil springs4× usual
  Toyota Picnic

  28.2% All 1998 cars

  7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 1.1% of all 1998 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.

• Tread depth2.4× usual
  Toyota Picnic

  27% All 1998 cars

  11.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.3% of all 1998 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, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Engine oil leaks2× usual
  Toyota Picnic

  30.7% All 1998 cars

  15.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.4% of all 1998 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.

• Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.6× usual
  Toyota Picnic

  21.5% All 1998 cars

  8.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 12.3%, against 4.5% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 1998 Toyota Picnic petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1998 Toyota Picnic petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  57% 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.

• Tyres
  40% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  32% 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.

• Brakes
  28% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  24% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  22% 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 an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1998 Toyota Picnic petrol

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× as often on the 1998 Toyota Picnic petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the tread depth? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 1998 Toyota Picnic petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 1998 Toyota Picnic petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?