CarCostCheck

TOYOTA SUPRA (1997)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 63 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,277

£190/month

MOT Pass Rate

95%

Excellent

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2997cc Petrol

Great Choice

95% pass rate, £2277/year to run. 13 points above average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific TOYOTA SUPRA

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Petrol2997cc29 years old63 tests99k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2997cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 2997cc

£430
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200
Total per year£2,277
Per month£190/mo
Per week£44/wk

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

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this TOYOTA SUPRA

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

95% MOT pass rate(Excellent)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 13 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the TOYOTA brand average of 84%.

At 29 years old, 95% of TOYOTA SUPRAs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 63 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 98,731 miles.

Got a TOYOTA SUPRA you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars14th of 320(top 4%)
Rank among TOYOTA models169th of 996(top 17%)
vs national average+13%(82% avg)
vs 1997 cars average+20%(75% avg)
vs TOYOTA average+11%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

98,731

Average miles

vs

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 TOYOTA SUPRA has 98,731 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific TOYOTA SUPRA?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2006 model with a 96% MOT pass rate, while the 1990 model has the lowest at 82%. The 1997 sits between the two at 95%.

TOYOTA SUPRA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201091%4785,558 mi
200889%4498,470 mi
200792%8998,147 mi
200696%70105,343 mi
200591%240108,340 mi
200486%185113,357 mi
200386%223104,495 mi
200294%9589,177 mi
200191%109105,350 mi
200085%110101,611 mi
199987%238113,299 mi
199891%170102,022 mi
199795%6398,731 mi
199693%6889,973 mi
199589%141104,727 mi
199489%189109,634 mi
199389%163104,986 mi
199293%113107,762 mi
199191%156114,065 mi
199082%186100,284 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Toyota Supra

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 1997 TOYOTA SUPRA

The 1997 TOYOTA SUPRA is a large car with a 2997cc petrol engine. 63 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 4% of all 1997 cars for reliability.

With an average of 98,731 miles at 29 years old, TOYOTA SUPRA 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.

1997 TOYOTA SUPRA Fuel Costs

The 2997cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 TOYOTA SUPRA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,277 190/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 95% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

TOYOTA SUPRA Reliability Trend

The TOYOTA SUPRA has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 0 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 TOYOTA SUPRA

At 29 years old, the TOYOTA SUPRA 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 2006 model has the highest pass rate at 96%. Note: with only 63 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 TOYOTA SUPRA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 29 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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 99k 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 1997 TOYOTA SUPRA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
TOYOTA SUPRA(1997)95%£1592£430Grp 30-42£2277
BMW Z3(1999)78%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397+£120
PORSCHE 911(1999)87%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£30
PORSCHE BOXSTER(1999)81%£1592£250Grp 30-42£2247-£30
MERCEDES C(1999)82%£1592£250Grp 30-42£2247-£30

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 Supra.

Check a specific TOYOTA SUPRA

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a TOYOTA SUPRA? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB