CarCostCheck

TOYOTA STARLET (1991)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 30 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,530

£128/month

MOT Pass Rate

73%

Average

Road Tax

£20

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

999cc Petrol

Check Carefully

73% pass rate, £1530/year to run. 9 points below average.

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Petrol999cc35 years old30 tests94k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 999cc)

~50 mpg

£955
Road Tax

Based on 999cc

£20
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£1,530
Per month£128/mo
Per week£29/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

73% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 9 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the TOYOTA brand average of 84%.

At 35 years old, 73% of TOYOTA STARLETs from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 30 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 94,320 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 cars141th of 179(top 79%)
Rank among TOYOTA models883th of 996(top 89%)
vs national average-9%(82% avg)
vs 1991 cars average-5%(78% avg)
vs TOYOTA average-11%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

94,320

Average miles

vs

259,000

Expected for age

The average 1991 TOYOTA STARLET has 94,320 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2008 model with a 85% MOT pass rate, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 75%. The 1991 sits between the two at 73%.

TOYOTA STARLET by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201786%3760,314 mi
200885%60126,718 mi
200784%62124,435 mi
200683%60128,073 mi
200580%46118,635 mi
200160%35116,855 mi
199976%1,70289,976 mi
199875%3,81993,420 mi
199776%2,54791,040 mi
199677%1,11992,042 mi
199579%8089,571 mi
199482%83102,032 mi
199389%3685,812 mi
199173%3094,320 mi

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About the 1991 TOYOTA STARLET

The 1991 TOYOTA STARLET is a city car with a 999cc petrol engine. 30 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 79% of 1991 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 94,320 miles at 35 years old, TOYOTA STARLET owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1991 TOYOTA STARLET Fuel Costs

The modest 999cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1991 TOYOTA STARLET?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,530 128/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 73% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

TOYOTA STARLET Reliability Trend

The TOYOTA STARLET has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1991 TOYOTA STARLET

At 35 years old, the TOYOTA STARLET is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2008 model has the highest pass rate at 85%. Note: with only 30 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1991 TOYOTA STARLET's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 94k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1991 TOYOTA STARLET stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
TOYOTA STARLET(1991)73%£955£20Grp 1-8£1530
ROVER MINI(1990)80%£955£30Grp 1-8£1390-£140
PEUGEOT 205(1990)80%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1572+£42
NISSAN FIGARO(1991)79%£955£30Grp 1-8£1540+£10
FORD FIESTA(1991)84%£955£30Grp 1-8£1390-£140

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Toyota Models

Explore other Toyota cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Toyota Starlet.

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