Used Toyota MR2 Roadster 2000 - 2007 reliability review

Name: Used Toyota MR2 Roadster 2000 - 2007
Rating: 4
Author: Stuart Milne

Impractical but fine-handling two-seater

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What should I look for in a used Toyota MR2?

Toyota's hard-earned reputation for reliability is evident in the MR2 and there's little to be worried about when buying this mid-engined roadster. However, it's worth checking for any signs of crash damage, or track day use such as excessively worn tyre edges. It's also important to make sure the MR2 has four quality tyres with the same tread pattern - mismatched tyres can adversely affect the handling.

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Some problems have been reported with the suspension, but much of this is down to cars being bumped up kerbs; the MR2 is a low-slung sports car and, as such, is more at risk from this kind of abuse.

The exhaust can rot from the inside if the car has been used for lots of short journeys. This is a pricey fix, so ask the vendor what sort of trips they've taken it on.

Tips & Advice

Check for outstanding recalls

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About the writer

Name: Stuart Milne

Title: Digital editor

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Stuart has been a motoring journalist for more than 25 years, writing and editing for a wide range of consumer titles. Today, Stuart is responsible for the smooth running of whatcar.com and all of its related social and digital channels. And he’s the man responsible for making sure you're able to find What Car?’s industry-leading content whenever you search for it.