Toyota Starlet

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 14 model years from 9,716 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

79%

Total Tests

9,716

Highest Pass Rate

1996 (77%)

Years Covered

About the Toyota Starlet

The Toyota Starlet was MOT tested 9,716 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 14 model years (1991 to 2017), with an average pass rate of 79%. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol and hybrid versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1996 model has the highest pass rate at 77% from 1,119 tests. The 1998 model has the lowest at 75%. With just a 2 point gap, pass rates are similar across these years. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

The Toyota Starlet has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1991) averages 94,320 miles, while the newest (2017) averages 60,314 miles.

Compared to the Toyota brand average of 84%, the Starlet is 5 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Toyota models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Hybrid, 2494cc)

£1,958

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,563

Per month£214/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2017 details

How reliable is the Toyota Starlet?

vs average of all models-3% (82% avg)

vs Toyota brand average-5% (84% avg)

Best to worst year spread2 percentage points

Reliability trendStable over years

Toyota Starlet by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2017	86%	37	60,314 mi
2008	85%	60	126,718 mi
2007	84%	62	124,435 mi
2006	83%	60	128,073 mi
2005	80%	46	118,635 mi
2001	60%	35	116,855 mi
1999	76%	1,702	89,976 mi
1998	75%	3,819	93,420 mi
1997	76%	2,547	91,040 mi
1996	77%	1,119	92,042 mi
1995	79%	80	89,571 mi
1994	82%	83	102,032 mi
1993	89%	36	85,812 mi
1991	73%	30	94,320 mi

Questions about the Toyota Starlet

Is the Toyota Starlet reliable?

Across its 14 model years in our data (1991 to 2017), the Toyota Starlet averages a 79% MOT pass rate, from 9,716 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 3 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 1996 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 77%.

Which year Toyota Starlet has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1996 Toyota Starlet has the highest MOT pass rate at 77%, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 75%, a 2 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.