1997 Toyota Starlet Cd MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Starlet Cd models manufactured in 1997, based on 43 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all Starlet Cd cars tested in 1997. Want to see how cars built in 1997 hold up over time?
View 1997 Toyota Starlet Cd vintage page → (58.3% current pass rate)1997 Toyota Starlet Cd MOT Analysis
The 1997 Toyota Starlet Cd has an MOT pass rate of 65.1% based on 43 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 74,292 miles on the odometer. With a 34.9% failure rate, the 1997 Starlet Cd is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1997 Toyota Starlet Cd is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, responsible for 44.2% of failures. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs range from £5–50. Brakes is the second most common issue at 27.9%. Tyres follows at 25.6%.
Top failures specific to 1997 models only. The overall Starlet Cd page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 44.2% | 19 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.9% | 12 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.6% | 11 |
| 4 | Suspension | 23.3% | 10 |
| 5 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 11.6% | 5 |
| 6 | Driver's View Of The Road | 7.0% | 3 |
| 7 | Items Not Tested | 2.3% | 1 |
| 8 | Body, Structure And General Items | 2.3% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 74,292 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
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| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 5.95 | 44.2% | 19 |
| Brakes | 3.76 | 27.9% | 12 |
| Tyres | 3.44 | 25.6% | 11 |
| Suspension | 3.13 | 23.3% | 10 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 1.57 | 11.6% | 5 |
| Visibility | 0.94 | 7.0% | 3 |
| Items Not Tested | 0.31 | 2.3% | 1 |
| Body & Structure | 0.31 | 2.3% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1997 Toyota Starlet Cd has an MOT pass rate of 65.1% based on 43 tests — slightly above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 74,292 miles on the odometer. With a 34.9% failure rate, the 1997 Starlet Cd is rated as "Good" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1997 Toyota Starlet Cd, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test. At 74,292 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 44.2% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 44.2% of MOT failures on 1997 Toyota Starlet Cd models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Brakes — 27.9% of failures
Brakes issues account for 27.9% of MOT failures on 1997 Toyota Starlet Cd models. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Tyres — 25.6% of failures
Tyres issues account for 25.6% of MOT failures on 1997 Toyota Starlet Cd models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.