Toyota Gt86 MOT Failures
An analysis of 35,808 real DVSA MOT tests on the Toyota Gt86 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: ZN6 (2012–2021).
Where the Toyota Gt86 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Toyota Gt86 is exhaust system damage — this model is 43 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 35,808 MOT tests, 0.88% of all Toyota Gt86 tests recorded this as a failure.
Bodywork failures usually mean structural corrosion — not cosmetic rust, but rot that affects the car's structural integrity. Check sills, subframes, and chassis rails carefully, especially on older examples.
Other notable weak points include emissions failure (9.4x the fleet average), headlight fault (7.7x the fleet average), and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.2x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Toyota Gt86's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 4 categories: Bodywork, Exhaust & Emissions, Lights & Electrics, Suspension. If you're inspecting a Toyota Gt86 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Toyota Gt86's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Toyota Gt86 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are exhaust system damage (43x the average) and headlight fault (7.7x). emissions failure (5.8x) and emissions failure also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Toyota Gt86 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are exhaust system damage (16x the average) and emissions failure (6.8x).
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
The standout failure at this mileage is suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated at 5.2x the fleet average.
The shift from exhaust system damage at lower mileages to suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Toyota Gt86 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Valve spring recall (early cars) (ZN6) Dangerous
Early FA20 engines fitted with defective valve springs that can fracture without warning, dropping valve spring fragments into the combustion chamber and causing catastrophic engine damage. Affects ZN6.
Gearbox 2nd gear issues (ZN6) Major
The 6-speed manual gearbox develops notchy 2nd gear engagement when cold, particularly problematic on high-mileage examples or cars driven enthusiastically. Affects ZN6; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£800.
Clutch judder (ZN6) Major
The factory clutch assembly develops judder during engagement, typically caused by oil contamination on the friction surface or uneven wear patterns on the pressure plate. Affects ZN6; typical independent garage repair cost is £500–£800.
Brake binding (ZN6) Major
GT86 models experience brake binding at 216.3x the fleet average across all mileage bands, indicating a design or specification issue with the brake calipers. Affects ZN6; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Toyota Gt86 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Toyota Gt86
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Toyota Gt86:
Bodywork — check for exhaust system damage. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault. Suspension — check for suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about valve spring recall and gearbox 2nd gear issues. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Toyota Gt86?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Toyota Gt86 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Toyota Gt86?
Based on 35,808 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is exhaust system damage — at 43x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include emissions failure and headlight fault.
Is the Toyota Gt86 reliable based on MOT data?
The Toyota Gt86 has 4 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag valve spring recall as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
The most common high-mileage failures include exhaust system damage, emissions failure, headlight fault.
How do I check a Toyota Gt86's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.