Toyota Supra MOT Failures

An analysis of 2,750 real DVSA MOT tests on the Toyota Supra — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: A70 (1986–1993), A80 (1993–2002), A90 (2019–2024).

Where the Toyota Supra fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Toyota Supra is seat mounting fault — this model is 12 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it worth watching for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 2,750 MOT tests, 12.17% of all Toyota Supra tests recorded this as a failure.

Other notable weak points include suspension component damaged or corroded (7.7x the fleet average), wheel bearings worn (5.9x the fleet average), subframe bushes or mounts worn (26x the fleet average), and electrical wiring fault (17x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Toyota Supra'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 5 categories: Seatbelts & Airbags, Suspension, Lights & Electrics, Bodywork, Brakes. If you're inspecting a Toyota Supra 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 Supra'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.

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 Supra specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are subframe bushes or mounts worn (26x the average) and structural corrosion (10x). abs fault (10x) and suspension component damaged or corroded (7.7x) also appear frequently.

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.

For the Toyota Supra specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are electrical wiring fault (17x the average) and seat mounting fault (11x). wheel bearings worn (5.9x) and headlight fault (5.2x) also appear frequently.

The shift from subframe bushes or mounts worn at lower mileages to electrical wiring fault 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 Supra specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Subframe mounting point corrosion (A80) Dangerous

The rear subframe mounting points on A80 Supras suffer from severe structural corrosion where the subframe bolts attach to the body shell. Affects A80; typical independent garage repair cost is £2,500–£4,000.

Suspension component corrosion (A80) Major

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. Affects A80; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,500.

Brake caliper binding (A80) Major

A80 Supras suffer from brake caliper seizure at 4.3 times the national average rate, particularly affecting higher mileage examples. Affects A80; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£800.

BMW engine issues (A90)

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. Affects A90; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£600.

For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Toyota Supra common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Toyota Supra

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Toyota Supra:

Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault. Suspension — check for suspension component damaged or corroded, wheel bearings worn, subframe bushes or mounts worn, abs fault.

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about subframe mounting point corrosion and suspension component corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £2,500. 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.

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.