RAND(Squawk): MR2 Mk1, in the UK, at 40 years old

Version 1.1 Wed 23rd Oct 2024

Version 2.9 on 14 January 2025 - Revised with latest numbers .. and typo reduction

The Toyota MR2 Mk1, produced between 1984 and 1989, is a compact, mid-engined two-seater that has delighted enthusiasts for decades. Now over 40 years old, the earliest examples are officially recognized as classic cars in the UK.

Neil Jones, a cornerstone of the MR2 community in South Wales, is renowned for his expertise in dismantling and supplying spare parts to keep MR2 Mk1s in running condition. Through his work, he encounters a wide spectrum of these cars, ranging from dilapidated wrecks to pristine examples—and everything in between. The question Neil hears most often is: “How many MR2 Mk1s are still on the road?”

To find an answer, Neil turned to his social media channels, scoured his detailed notebooks, and compiled a list of known MR2 Mk1s. As an MR2 owner myself, I had amassed a considerable collection of photos of these cars, mainly from shows and social media.

Nik Milford, representing the MR2 Drivers Club, contributed a list of 141 Mk1 registration numbers recorded with the club. Building on these sources, we incorporated galleries from the MR2 National Show for 2022, 2023, and 2024 to expand the dataset. To verify the roadworthiness and manufacturing details of individual cars, we used the UK’s official MOT and car tax check services. Additionally, we cross-referenced the results with raw MOT data obtained from the DVLA to validate the post-2005 population of MR2s.

Production data from the French MR2 Club estimates around 15,000 Mk1s were originally imported to the UK, while another source indicates over 18,000 UK registrations at the model's 2002 peak. Our survey ultimately identified approximately 650 cars, mostly UK-registered, though not all data was complete. Despite this, the survey represents a significant portion of the MR2 Mk1s currently in active ownership.

The surveyed cars span from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. When the exact year of registration was unknown, we used the vehicle’s registration letter as a proxy for dating. Notably, 53% of the surveyed cars (336 out of 629) were registered during the 1988–1989 period, near the end of the Mk1 production run.

However, some anomalies remain. Not all data is complete, vanity plates obscure original registration years, and foreign-registered cars lack UK-specific details. Despite these challenges, the survey provides valuable insights into the distribution and survival of this iconic model.

So, how many MR2 Mk1s are still on the road? The answer is nuanced. In the UK, roadworthiness requires compliance with specific legal standards, including valid MOT and road tax. Much of our survey data relied on owner declarations regarding road or off-road status. Cars attending recent MR2 Drivers Club National Shows were presumed to be roadworthy at the time.

While not definitive, this survey offers a detailed snapshot of the current MR2 Mk1 population and their enduring appeal among enthusiasts. A very few pristine cars have neither tax nor MOT but are in showroom condition. It was decided to go with the total of cars in “near road” status as the answer to the question. The entries SORN22, SORN23 etc are the ones that are SORNed but last had a recent MOT. For example SORN24 cars would have had their last MOT expire anytime during 2024. The blank and “not found” entries are assumed to be off the road as the car may either have been scrapped, exported or have a different registration number.

We can see from the above numbers that out of 607 cars listed (50 + 41 + 306 = 397 = 65 %) are either definitely on or very close to being on the road. Those reported as SORN cars were all checked to see if the most recently passed MOT was within two years of the current date. A further 34 cars last had valid MOTs in 2022 or were seen at the national show that year and could be considered to be “close to being on the road”. The cars of some preservation concern are those SORNed with the last MOT results a fail before 2022.

Features, mileages and condition

Blue Mica

The colour distribution of the survey cars shows that red is the most popular, 35%, followed by white, 31% and all the different shades of blue 21%. Black, silver and others making up the rest. The official blue cars were either known as B8B on early Mk1a's or helios blue or mica blue with some described as sky blue metallic, however DVLA listings just have blue. There is a fairly even split between sunroof (223 cars) and T-bar cars (209 cars) with just 23 examples having neither and 149 unknown. Amongst the survey 45 supercharger (unofficial imports) equipped cars and 5 special editions were discovered.

Light Blue on Mk1a known as B8B

Trying to access the condition of the remaining MR2 Mk1 population is based around two factors. Traditionally mileage is seen as an indicator of car condition but mileage makes the assumption that all cars deteriorate at the same time rate proportional to distance traveled. That may hold true for newer cars but by the time cars get to over 25 years old the storage and maintenance are bigger factors. The MOT results being a somewhat standardised test provides a better indicator for older cars.

Blue Helios

Only MOT data from late 2005 onwards is available electronically and from that we can see the date and result of the last recorded MOT tests. Each car is only represented once on this chart. The graph shows a rapid fall off of cars up to about 2012 then around a 100 cars per year parking up not to be seen again; many seeming to retire with an MOT pass. The last numbers from 2024 has 750 cars passing the MOT and 22 failing. These “MOTed in 2024” cars are the bulk of the surviving road-going population moving forward. Restoration work will bring back older previously failing examples but time and corrosion will fell a few more. The earliest Mk1 examples are now reaching 40 years old, the point at which an MOT test becomes optional but as most of the on the road cars are from later in the production era 1988-89 there will be a few more years of data to track cars this way.

MR2 Mk1 by the numbers, from the Full MOT data supplied by Steve Earle

751 – the number of Mk1s with a current MOT certificate in Dec 2024
478 – the number of Mk1s not on the survey list
1118 – the number of Mk1s whose most recent MOT was a failure
4209 – the number of Mk1s whose most recent MOT was a pass but has since lapsed
7319 – the number of Mk1s on the MOT database but with no MOT history (scrapped pre 2005?)
1 – the number of Mk1s converted to LPG
1 – the number of Mk1s converted to Electric
6 - the number cars DVLA has listed as Diesel (probably actually 0)
294,302 – the number of miles on the odometer of the highest mileage Mk1 still on the road
545 – the number of miles on the odometer of the lowest mileage car still on the road
704,8088,579 – the total number of miles covered by all cars in the full MOT list
5 – the number of Mk1s still on the road with below 2,000 miles on the clock
14 - the number of Mk1s still on the road with over 200,000 miles on the clock
70 – the number of Mk1s with odometer readings in KM, (Possibly Japanese direct imports?)
4 – the number of Mk1s on a “Q” plate

• 352 – Number of Giga Bytes of MOT data analysed

There are 5 cars with over 200,000 declared miles. The car with the highest MOT mileage of 294,302 miles is F87 PYR as of 14th March 2024. The second highest recorded mileage car is owned by Nic Milford of the MR2 Drivers Club.

Toyota MR2 Mk1 at 40 years conclusions

The Survey and MOT data show the bulk of cars in the 100k-150k mileage range. The completion of that mileage and being nearly 40 years old, meant that most cars would need some mechanical and probably bodywork attention. However, from the examples seen at shows and events, many owners are willing to put in the investment needed to keep their examples on the road. One advantage of having an active online and show owners community is that many of the wrinkles and foibles of the MR2 Mk1 are well documented. The 750 Motor club MR2 race series also keeps a pool of expertise and enthusiasts engaged with the MR2 even if most have moved on to the Mk2 and Mk3 Roadster. $Date and result of last MOT test. Failed 1066 cars, Passed 4806 cars, Each car is one data point - Source Author \ Steve Earle MOT data$

This survey does favour active cars and club members. We conclude that 65% of surveyed cars are or have been recently on the road. However historically 13,392 cars listed in the full MOT data, of which 1070 had recent passed tests, being a possible overall 7.9 % total survival rate since the 1980s.

The Toyota MR2 community is flourishing from a social point of view with a very active nationwide drivers club and other well attended gatherings. To celebrate the 40th anniversary in 2024 there were three notable gatherings of cars. One event at Neil Jones's South Wales retreat, the annual MR2 Drivers club annual mid-year show at Ricoh arena and another at the Silverstone Classic festival where a track drive round was included. With a very active drivers club and people dedicated to providing spares and support, we all look forward to many more years of active ownership. In the media there have been a couple of CAR SOS and Wheeler Dealer appearances along with Eurovision 2023 (Australian song from Voyager.)

MR2 Mk1s at Silverstone 2024 Club roll out. - Credit Jakob Ebrey Photography info@jakobebrey.com

Every year the historic vehicle community is joined by more vehicles crossing over the 40 year classic car threshold. This survey has shown that, while not all cars survive to that age, there are many enthusiasts engaged in keeping what are now historic cars roadworthy.

How Many Left

The "How many left" website that uses official DVLA data contributes some other numbers. Showing approximately 6000 cars on SORN and 1,735 ( 35%) are currently still licensed but has little other data regarding actual road going status or features.

See the survey data here - To add or correct an entry email to Clive@SpikyNorman.net with MR2 in the subject line. Any more discovered cars will be added to the master listing as we go along.