1999 Toyota Starlet: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1999 Toyota Starlet?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1999 Toyota Starlet than on all cars registered in 1999.

• Wheel bearings3.1× usual
  Toyota Starlet

  17.2% All 1999 cars

  5.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1% of all 1999 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual
  Toyota Starlet

  13.9% All 1999 cars

  5.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.2% of all 1999 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.

• Number plates2× usual
  Toyota Starlet

  12.9% All 1999 cars

  6.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.7% of all 1999 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.

• Brakes pulling to one side2.4× usual
  Toyota Starlet

  5.7% All 1999 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.9% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Suspension arm1.9× usual
  Toyota Starlet

  5.2% All 1999 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.2% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Common 1999 Toyota Starlet MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1999 Toyota Starlet MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Lights and electrics
  34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  32% 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
  29% 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.

• 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
  17% 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
  15% 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 1999 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 wheel bearings? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 1999 Toyota Starlet as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 1999 Toyota Starlet as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 1999 Toyota Starlet as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?