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Toyota Ipsum (1996)

139 real MOT outcomes analysed • 68.9% first-time pass rate

1996 Toyota Ipsum

CarHunch analysed 139 real MOT records for the 1996 Toyota Ipsum. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 1996 Toyota Ipsum passes MOT at 68.9%, which is 11 percentage points below the UK average of 80%, signalling that age and wear are catching up with this nearly 30-year-old model. With 18.7% of cars having suffered a dangerous defect at some point, buyers should budget for serious repairs and have any purchase thoroughly inspected before committing.

At 121,000 miles median, these Ipsums are running typical mileage for their age, but the real concern is the weight of failures: averaging 4 defects per test and 11.6 advisories suggests the car demands regular maintenance to keep on the road. If you're buying one, factor in consistent work on wear items and have a trusted mechanic check the brakes, suspension and steering specifically before purchase.

Below average reliability 11.1% below UK average
68.9%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
120,671
typical mileage
93,484–149,338 middle half
18.7%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
4.06
avg MOT failures per car
over 12.3 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1996 Toyota Ipsum

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Toyota Ipsum

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1996 Toyota Ipsum vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

93,484
low mileage
120,671
typical
149,338
high mileage

Half of all 1996 Toyota Ipsum vehicles fall between 93,484 and 149,338 miles.

1996 Toyota Ipsum — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2020 (21% of peak).

57 12 2014 2020

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2020.

MOT History Averages

12.3
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
4.06
Avg failures per vehicle
11.6
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1996 Toyota Ipsum

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 89%
    Oil leak
  • 57.1%
    Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive
  • 56.5%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 54.5%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 31.9%
    Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
  • 31.4%
    Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
  • 28.8%
    Oil leak, but not excessive
  • 26.7%
    Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1996. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Toyota Ipsum?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK