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Toyota GT86 reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 52,761 MOT tests of cars first registered 2012–2019.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
85.7%pass first time
+8.8 ptsvs typical car
Beats 96%of cars
52,761MOT tests

Verdict

The Toyota GT86 passes its MOT first time on 85.7% of tests, 8.8 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (76.9%). That puts it ahead of 96% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2012 GT86 does best (beats 98% of cars) and the 2018 worst (beats 89%).

Better than average on tyres, lights & electrics, visibility.

Watch these weak spots

Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.2×as often as a typical car
Wheel bearings1.8×as often as a typical car
Number plates1.6×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

60%70%80%90%100%34567891011121393%88%86%85%82%79%
Toyota GT86Typical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2012
Beats 98%
2013
Beats 98%
2014
Beats 96%
2015
Beats 93%
2016
Beats 95%
2017
Beats 92%
2018
Beats 89%
2019
Beats 92%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol2012–201952,76185.7%Beats 96%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 1.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 1.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 3.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 4.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 2.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 3.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+4.5 ptsTyres: 4.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.4 ptsBrakes: 2.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.8 ptsSuspension: 1.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+4.1 ptsExhaust: 1.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.2 ptsSuspension: 1.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 2.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 4.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 3.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 1.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 3.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+4.5 ptsTyres: 4.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.4 ptsBrakes: 2.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.8 ptsSuspension: 1.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 5.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+4.1 ptsExhaust: 1.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.2 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 1.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Tyres
4.2% vs 5.6%
Lights & electrics
3.4% vs 7.9%
Visibility
3.1% vs 4.0%
Brakes
2.7% vs 4.5%
Suspension
1.9% vs 5.9%
Emissions & leaks
1.8% vs 1.6%
Body & structure
0.5% vs 1.8%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.3%
Steering
0.3% vs 1.1%
Seat belts & airbags
0.1% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst) 3.2× typical
    Check past MOT emissions readings in the car's history: rising readings can mean catalyst or sensor problems.
  • Wheel bearings 1.8× typical
    Listen for a hum or drone that rises with speed.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k96%91%86%82%80%74%
Toyota GT86Typical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre tread depth2.1%2.1%1.0×
Windscreen wipers1.9%2.1%0.9×
Tyre damage & cracking1.8%3.2%0.6×
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)1.4%0.5%3.2×
Headlight aim1.0%2.3%0.5×
Windscreen washers1.0%1.7%0.6×
Brake performance1.0%0.8%1.2×
Number plate lights1.0%0.8%1.2×
Brake pads0.9%1.8%0.5×
Tyre pressure warning (TPMS)0.4%0.4%1.0×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements20.7
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen18.8
A tyre seriously damaged12.1
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements10.4
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen10.0
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer9.2
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps8.7
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm8.6
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2019 Toyota GT861 engine91.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,66591.5%Beats 92%A
2018 Toyota GT861 engine89.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol2,70389.9%Beats 89%A
2017 Toyota GT861 engine89.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol4,32189.2%Beats 92%A
2016 Toyota GT861 engine88.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol4,96788.5%Beats 95%A
2015 Toyota GT861 engine86.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol6,31986.7%Beats 93%A
2014 Toyota GT861 engine85.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol8,25585.4%Beats 96%A
2013 Toyota GT861 engine84.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol13,88484.1%Beats 98%A
2012 Toyota GT861 engine82.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol10,64782.7%Beats 98%A

FAQ

What is the Toyota GT86 MOT pass rate?

85.7% of MOT tests on the Toyota GT86 were passed first time, based on 52,761 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2012–2019. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 76.9% of the time.

Is the Toyota GT86 reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 96% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Toyota GT86 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2012 GT86 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 98% of cars on UK roads. The 2018 does worst: it beats 89%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Toyota GT86?

The most common failure items are tyre tread depth, windscreen wipers, tyre damage & cracking. Compared with similar cars, exhaust emissions (catalyst) comes up 3.2× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.