1988 Toyota MR2 1.6L Petrol · F407 DHG

The vehicle maintains a roadworthy status, though the maintenance history indicates a trend of reactive rather than proactive upkeep. The most recent MOT test in January 2022 at 159,553 miles passed without failure but noted a deteriorated rear registration plate and a worn nearside rear tyre. Given that over four years have elapsed since this recorded test, the vehicle is significantly overdue for its annual inspection, and an immediate assessment is required to ensure components have not degraded during this period of inactivity or continued use. The mileage profile is remarkably low for a 38-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 4,200 miles per year. There is a noticeable gap in usage between April 2019 and January 2022, where the car covered only 6,231 miles over nearly three years. While low annual mileage suggests less mechanical wear on the drivetrain and engine, long periods of standing often lead to perished rubber components, seized seized brake calipers, and fluid degradation, which aligns with the recurring tyre-related issues seen in the record. A prospective buyer must focus specifically on the suspension and exhaust system as these areas have shown consistent faults. The 2018 failure due to excessive play in the front anti-roll bar bushes and the 2020 advisory for a nearside rear lower suspension ball joint suggest the suspension geometry is reaching the end of its life. The minor exhaust leak noted in 2019 also warrants a physical inspection for corrosion or manifold failure. Because of the age and the intermittent low mileage, a thorough check of the chassis and sills is critical, as the MOT record does not explicitly rule out the structural rust common in this first-generation Toyota MR2.