Thinking about buying a used Toyota MR-S (1989–2007) in New Zealand? We've documented 7 known faults for this model spanning cooling, transmission, brakes, and engine. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated critical. Two are set out in full below — the rest, with the symptoms, repair costs and checks for each, are free with an account.
7
Documented faults
Critical
Most serious
$600–$2,000
Typical repair
5
Systems covered
Known Toyota MR-S faults
Every fault below is documented specifically for this model — researched and verified before it’s published.
011ZZ-FE head gasket failure — coolant loss & white smoke
CriticalCommonCooling $2,600–$5,800 to fix
The mid-mounted 1ZZ-FE in the ZZW30 MR2 Spyder is prone to head gasket failure caused by difficulty fully bleeding air from the cooling system and hot spots created by the engine's rear mid-ship location and restricted cooling airflow. The cylinder head gasket degrades under repeated heat cycles, allowing combustion gases to enter the coolant circuit or coolant to enter the combustion chamber. White sweet-smelling exhaust smoke, unexplained coolant loss, and rising coolant temperature are the primary indicators. Engine removal is required for repair in this chassis, making this a significant and expensive repair.
Symptoms to notice
White or grey sweet-smelling exhaust smoke particularly when at operating temperature
Coolant level dropping without any visible external leaks
Coolant temperature gauge rising higher than normal or intermittent overheating
Bubbles visible in the coolant reservoir with engine running
Oil contamination in coolant or milky residue under oil filler cap
What to check
Perform a cold-start and watch exhaust colour — white smoke that persists beyond warm-up is a key indicator. Check the coolant reservoir cap underside and coolant colour for oil contamination or brown emulsion. Use a combustion leak test kit (block tester with chemical indicator) dipped into the coolant reservoir — a colour change from blue to yellow confirms combustion gas intrusion. Check the oil filler cap for milky residue. Confirm the cooling system has been properly air-bled using the Toyota bleed procedure.
Where to look: Cylinder head gasket, mid-rear mounted 1ZZ-FE engine located behind the passenger compartment
Ask the seller
“Has the head gasket ever been replaced?”
“Has the car ever overheated or lost coolant without an obvious external leak?”
“When was the coolant last flushed and properly air-bled?”
“Has a combustion gas test ever been performed on the cooling system?”
02Water ingress from blocked soft-top drain tubes
MajorVery commonBody & Rust $200–$1,500 to fix
The W30 MR2 Spyder soft top has four drain tubes routed to exit under the sills. These tubes are narrow and accumulate leaf litter and debris, blocking completely. When blocked, rainwater pools in the roof framework channels and finds its way into the cabin — typically saturating the rear bulkhead carpet, corroding the battery tray, and filling the storage pockets behind the seats. Prolonged water ingress causes ECU connector corrosion and electrical gremlins. The chassis rails in the sill area also rust from inside where standing water collects.
Symptoms to notice
Damp or musty smell inside cabin
Wet carpet at rear of cockpit particularly after rain
Intermittent electrical faults (SMT, windows, instruments) after wet weather
Visible water staining on rear bulkhead panels
What to check
With roof down, pour a small amount of water into the roof channel drains and verify it exits under the sills. Press the carpet behind seats to check for dampness. Inspect rear bulkhead for water staining and the battery tray for corrosion.
Where to look: Soft-top drain tubes run from roof channel behind doors, down the B-pillars and out under the sills.
Ask the seller
“Have the roof drain tubes ever been cleared?”
“Has there ever been water inside the cabin after rain?”
“Has the rear carpet been wet or removed for drying?”
TransmissionCritical
CoolingCritical
BrakesCritical
EngineMajor
Body & RustMajor
5 more documented faults on the Toyota MR-S
Symptoms, what to check, where to look and what to ask the seller — for every fault above. Free with an account, no card needed. One account covers one vehicle, so make it the car you’re actually looking at.
This page covers the model. Enter the plate of the actual car you’re looking at and see its year, engine, safety rating and register flags — free, no account needed.
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 7 documented faults for the Toyota MR-S, the recurring problem areas are cooling, transmission, and brakes. A Toyota MR-S with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.
What are the most common problems with a used Toyota MR-S?
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We've catalogued 7 known faults for the Toyota MR-S, covering cooling, transmission, and brakes. Two are written out in full on this page. The rest — with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each — are free once you create an account.
How much do repairs cost on a Toyota MR-S?
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Most single repairs on the Toyota MR-S fall between $600–$2,000 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 7 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Toyota MR-S?
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Yes. A Toyota MR-S inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $17.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.