1996 Toyota Starlet: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1996 Toyota Starlet?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1996 Toyota Starlet than on all cars registered in 1996.

• Shock absorbers3.3× usual
  Toyota Starlet

  20.9% All 1996 cars

  6.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 1.5% of all 1996 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Tread depth2× usual
  Toyota Starlet

  18.8% All 1996 cars

  9.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1% of all 1996 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.9× usual
  Toyota Starlet

  12.3% All 1996 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 1.7% of all 1996 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Wheel bearings1.8× usual
  Toyota Starlet

  13.5% All 1996 cars

  7.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.2% of all 1996 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

• Number plates2× usual
  Toyota Starlet

  10.3% All 1996 cars

  5.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.7% of all 1996 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Common 1996 Toyota Starlet MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1996 Toyota Starlet MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  34% 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
  31% 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
  29% 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
  27% 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
  16% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  13% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1996 Toyota Starlet

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

1. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 1996 Toyota Starlet as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the tread depth? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 1996 Toyota Starlet as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 1996 Toyota Starlet as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?