What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Toyota Supra.
The Toyota Supra occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Toyota Supra range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Toyota Supra? Check its service history to see if it's been properly maintained. We'll also flag which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car.
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A70 (1986–1993) — Engine options included the 3.0 Turbo, 3.0 N/A.
A80 (1993–2002) — Engine options included the 3.0 Twin Turbo, 3.0 N/A. Our database flags 3 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Subframe mounting point corrosion (£2,500–£4,000 to address).
A90 (2019–2024) — Engine options included the 2.0 Turbo, 3.0 Turbo. 2 known issues affect this generation, none rated as critical. The most significant concern is BMW engine issues (£400–£600 to address).
The rear subframe mounting points on A80 Supras suffer from severe structural corrosion where the subframe bolts attach to the body shell. This is a widespread issue affecting the load-bearing structure within the prescribed MOT inspection area. The problem is particularly severe on UK cars due to road salt exposure and the car's low ride height trapping moisture and debris around the mounting points. MOT data shows this model fails at 25.8 times the national average for subframe structural defects, with the issue appearing consistently across all recent years and worsening over time.
If the subframe mounting points fail completely, the rear suspension can separate from the body shell, causing immediate loss of control and potential fatal accident. Even partial failure creates dangerous handling unpredictability. Proper structural repair requires body shell cutting and welding by a specialist, typically costing £3,000-£6,000. Cars with advanced corrosion may be beyond economical repair.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
The A80 Supra's suspension components, particularly the rear control arms, trailing arms, and associated bushes, suffer from accelerated corrosion due to the car's low ground clearance and design that traps road salt and moisture. MOT data shows failures at 6.5 times the national average, with the trend worsening over recent years. Unlike many sports cars, the Supra's multi-link rear suspension has numerous steel components in close proximity to the road surface, making corrosion inevitable on UK cars.
Corroded suspension components can fail suddenly, causing loss of vehicle control. Even minor corrosion leads to premature bush and bearing wear, requiring more frequent replacement of expensive components. Complete replacement of rear suspension arms typically costs £1,500-£2,500 plus alignment.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
A80 Supras suffer from brake caliper seizure at 4.3 times the national average rate, particularly affecting higher mileage examples. The large four-piston front calipers are prone to corrosion of the piston seals and guide pins, especially when brake fluid changes are missed. The problem is compounded by the car's extended periods of storage and infrequent use typical of UK examples, allowing moisture to accumulate in the brake system.
Seized brake calipers cause uneven braking, increased stopping distances, and potential loss of control during emergency braking. The binding brake generates excessive heat that can warp discs, damage pads, and in extreme cases cause brake fade or fire. Replacement of front calipers typically costs £600-£1,200 including discs and pads.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The A90 Supra uses BMW's B58 3.0-litre and B48 2.0-litre turbocharged engines, which can develop issues with the charge air cooler system and associated sensors. The charge cooler pump, which circulates coolant through the intercooler system, can fail prematurely on some examples. This is merged from two expert database entries covering BMW-sourced component reliability issues. While generally robust engines, these BMW powertrains require proper diagnostics when fault codes appear, particularly those related to boost pressure and intake air temperature management.
Charge cooler pump failure can lead to reduced engine power and potential overheating of intake air, causing the engine management system to reduce power output. Complete failure requires pump replacement and system bleeding. Early diagnosis through fault code reading prevents more serious damage to turbocharger or engine internals.
Check all electrical functions systematically: windows, mirrors, lights, infotainment, heated seats, air conditioning. Look for any warning lights on the dashboard. A diagnostic scan before purchase can reveal stored fault codes.
The BMW B58 engine used in the A90 Supra is fundamentally reliable when maintained properly. This entry acknowledges that while specific minor issues can occur (covered in separate entries), the overall engine design is sound and many examples operate without significant problems across normal mileage ranges. The key to reliability is adherence to BMW's service intervals and using correct specification fluids, particularly the LL-01 engine oil specification which is mandatory for these engines.
With proper maintenance, the B58 engine typically provides reliable service. Neglecting oil changes or using incorrect oil specifications can lead to timing chain wear, variable valve timing problems, or turbocharger damage. Following manufacturer service schedules minimises these risks.
Check the oil level before the engine is started. Ask the seller how often they top up the oil between services. After a test drive, check the level again and look behind the car for blue or grey exhaust smoke under acceleration.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Toyota Supra common problems page.
Check its dealer service history before you commit.
£6.99 · Full refund if no records found
Based on 9k real DVSA MOT tests, the Toyota Supra fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is subframe bushes or mounts worn at 26x the fleet average, followed by electrical wiring fault (17x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Toyota Supra MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £120–£180 at an independent garage.
See the full Toyota Supra service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Toyota Supra has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Toyota Supra, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
See every franchised dealer visit, dates, mileage readings, and work done. Know whether it's been properly maintained before you buy.
£6.99 · Full refund if no records found
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Toyota Supra issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.