IsItAGoodCar
Official DVLA Record
MOT Valid
Road Tax Paid

2001 Toyota MR2 1.8L Petrol · LR51 AEL

LR51 AEL

2001 Toyota MR2 (1.8L, petrol). First registered 01 Sept 2001. Recorded mileage 106,942 miles. MOT valid until 04 Dec 2026. Taxed until 01 Feb 2027.

Make & Model
TOYOTA MR2
Year / Origin
2001 · Wimbledon (South London)
Safety Recall
Unknown
MOT Status
Valid until 04 Dec 2026
Road Tax
Taxed (01 Feb 2027)
Recorded Mileage
106,942 mi
ULEZ Compliance
Likely ULEZ Compliant (Early Euro 4)
Fuel & Engine
Petrol · 1.8L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Valid
Valid until 04 Dec 2026
Tax Status
Taxed
Tax due 01 Feb 2027
Fuel Type
Petrol
Year
2001
Engine
1794cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

This Toyota MR2 has maintained a clean MOT record with no defects or advisories in its most recent tests, most notably passing on 5 December 2025 at 106,942 miles. The absence of any recurring issues or advisories suggests the vehicle has been subjected to consistent, if not rigorous, maintenance during its service life. The latest test was conducted just seven months ago, placing it within the optimal window for roadworthiness assessment under current DVSA guidelines. While this does not preclude unseen wear, the lack of failings in critical systems—such as brakes, suspension, or emissions—indicates no obvious neglect or mechanical degradation has gone unaddressed by previous owners. The recorded mileage of 106,942 miles over 25 years equates to approximately 4,278 miles annually, a figure significantly lower than the average for its class. The gap between tests—4,527 miles between February 2024 and December 2025—further reinforces this pattern, suggesting the vehicle has either been lightly used or stored for extended periods. Such low mileage can mitigate some wear concerns, particularly in areas prone to high-mileage degradation like suspension bushes and brake calipers. However, prolonged inactivity may introduce its own risks, such as seized components or degraded fluids, which cannot be determined from the MOT alone. Given the sparse MOT history, a buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of suspension components, particularly the rear coil springs and bushes, which are common failure points in this model. The absence of advisories does not rule out wear in these areas, and binding or uneven suspension movement could indicate deterioration. Brake discs and calipers should also be scrutinised for uneven wear or corrosion, especially if the vehicle has been stationary for prolonged periods. Structural integrity, particularly around the wheel arches and sills, warrants close examination for corrosion, as rust can compromise the MR2’s lightweight chassis over time. Finally, fluid levels—brake, power steering, and engine oil—should be checked, as they are not routinely tested in MOTs but are critical to the vehicle’s longevity.

LR51 AEL Key Findings

  • 2 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 05/12/2025
  • 106,942 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 5 defects noted at the latest MOT
  • Recurring suspension items (2 mentions)

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
90
/ 100 · Excellent
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Excellent

This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.

✓ Valid MOT
✓ Taxed
✓ Exceptional MOT pass rate (100%)
! Older vehicle
Experian Provenance Check

Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.

Verified Experian Data

Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for LR51AEL

Data provided by Experian
Stolen
UNVERIFIED
Unlock to verify
Finance
UNVERIFIED
Unlock to verify
Write-off
UNVERIFIED
Unlock to verify
Salvage
UNVERIFIED
Unlock to verify
Imported
UNVERIFIED
Unlock to verify
Exported
UNVERIFIED
Unlock to verify
Scrapped
UNVERIFIED
Unlock to verify
Destruction
UNVERIFIED
Unlock to verify
V5C Logbook
UNVERIFIED
Unlock to verify
£20,000 Experian Data Guarantee Included

Verify Outstanding Finance & Provenance Before Buying

Free DVLA records only confirm roadworthiness. Protect yourself against active finance repossession, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage fraud with an official Experian check.

✓ One-off payment (no subscription)✓ Instant on screen + PDF emailed✓ Official Experian registry✓ Apple Pay / Google Pay / Cards

Data provided by Experian

Technical Specifications

ULEZ Compliant

Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence

Estimate current market value

Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.

LR51 AEL Mileage History

  1. 24/02/2024100,415 mi
  2. 05/12/2025106,942 mi+6,527 mi

Average of roughly 3,667 miles per year across 2 recorded odometer readings.

LR51 AEL MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 4 Oct 2026, 07:45
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

2 MOT tests are recorded for this 2001 Toyota Mr2 (LR51 AEL) between February 2024 and December 2025.

The record contains 2 passes and 0 failures.

The record shows no MOT failures, although 3 advisory notices note items to monitor.

Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (2 issues), Tyres (1 issue), Lighting (1 issue), Brakes (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 3 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.

Buying Score
68/100
Risk Level
Medium
Medium
Est. Annual Cost
£1,200-£1,600
Mileage
At 106,942 miles, this vehicle's mileage...

Our Verdict

A reasonably well-preserved example of a modern classic, though it requires immediate attention to suspension and braking components. Recommended for a buyer who appreciates the MR2's layout and is prepared for the maintenance needs of a 25-year-old sports car.

When inspecting this MR2, focus heavily on the chassis and suspension. The most recent MOT highlights deteriorated dust covers on both front suspension arm ball joints; check if these have been replaced or if the joints themselves are worn. Additionally, the mention of a 'slightly corroded' power steering pipe is a point for negotiation, as these can be costly to replace if they leak.

Review the service history specifically for oil leak repairs. The MOT records from 2010 and 2014 both explicitly mention oil leaks. You should verify that these were permanently resolved and check the engine bay for fresh residue. Given the age and the 'under-trays' mentioned in previous tests, ensure you get a professional underside inspection to check for corrosion, particularly around the coil springs which were flagged as corroded in 2017.

The 1.8L petrol engine offers a balance of performance and efficiency, though as a mid-engined sports car, it will not match modern hybrids. Tax will be based on the 2001 emissions standards, and insurance groups for the MR2 are generally moderate, though this varies by driver profile.

Maintenance costs are likely to be higher than a standard hatchback due to the mid-engine layout, which makes accessing some components more labour-intensive. Expect annual costs to be influenced by the need for specialist parts as the car enters 'classic' territory.

Priority should be given to the braking system. The vehicle failed its MOTs in 2014 and 2016 due to parking brake inefficiency and lack of effort at the rear wheels. Even though it passed recently, the 2025 advisory regarding 'excessive lever travel' suggests the handbrake remains a weak point.

Inspect the front suspension thoroughly. With both offside and nearside ball joint dust covers flagged as 'severely deteriorated' in December 2025, these are now critical failure points that will likely lead to joint failure if not addressed. Finally, check the tyres; the nearside rear was noted as being close to the legal limit in the last test.

This silver 2001 Toyota MR2 has covered 106,942 miles, showing a steady but low-usage pattern in recent years. While it has a long history of passing MOTs, the most recent test reveals emerging wear on the front suspension ball joint covers and steering pipes. The vehicle's history suggests a recurring struggle with the parking brake system, which has caused multiple failures in the past.

The MR2 is generally regarded as a robust platform, though this specific vehicle shows typical age-related wear in the suspension and braking systems.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.

Data Sources

DVSA

Official MOT test logs & failure reasons

DVLA

Tax, registration & powertrain specs

Experian

Finance, stolen markers & total loss

AI Analysis

Historical fault & advisory patterns