Toyota Picnic

What fails its inspection

Great Britain's MOT record for the 1999 2.0 petrol. 28 of 97 tests failed, 29%.

Better than 29% of 1999 cars. The typical one fails 26%, across 348 models with enough tests behind them to say.

The defects inspectors cite

• Emissions levels exceed default limits
• A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
• Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
• The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
• A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
• A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc

Where it stands out against its peers

• Exhaust and emissions: failed more often than 90% of 1999 cars — 46% of its 28 failed tests, where an ordinary 1999 car has 22%.

Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.

NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.

Before you buy one

Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.

• Exhaust and emissions — 46% of its failures
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits
  • Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
  • Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
• Suspension — 39% of its failures
  • A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
• Brakes — 21% of its failures
  • A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
• Tyres and wheels — 14% of its failures
• Lights and electrics — 36% of its failures
  • A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
• Body and structure — 29% of its failures
  • The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired

Recalls

Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.

• A12/1740/18

  The ammonium nitrate propellant used in the air bag inflator may degrade over time due to heat cycles and exposure to moisture. In the event of the airbag being deployed, the excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to rupture and metal fragments may pass through the cushion material causing injury to the rider.

  Recall of the product from end users