1996 Toyota MR2 10th Anniversary

First registered in May 1996, this car is number 15 of just 250 “Tenth Anniversary” editions produced in that year. These limited editions featured either Lucerne Silver paintwork (as in this case) or were finished in Caribbean Blue (wasn’t that an Enya song?) and typically had anthracite coloured 15” wheels. Inside you would find a part leather, part wood MOMO steering wheel and stainless steel kick plates on the sills. Individually numbered Tenth Anniversary Edition badges should be found on the steering wheel boss, ashtray and outside on the engine cover. Happily all these features are present on this car (although the ashtray sticker has been removed but retained) and we have no reason to doubt its UK limited edition credentials.

Showing almost 140,000 miles, the vendor bought this car earlier in the year to bring back to life, use for a while and sell on and has spent around £1,200 recommissioning it from being off the road in a dry garage for several years. The car comes with an original owners manual and brochure, service record and a file of invoices for previous servicing, repairs and testing.

The Lucerne Silver paintwork is generally sound but there are a number of small stone chips and blemishes around the car. For example there is a scuff to the nearside front valance and a few scrapes to one of the wheel arches. More detail on these imperfections can be seen in the photo gallery.

The pop up headlight mechanism functions well and according to the vendor all other external electrics work as expected (see also On the Inside). The twin glass panel T-bar targa roof is in good order and the special covers are present in the boot for their protection when removed.

The 15” five-spoke alloy wheels, finished in anthracite (dark grey), are in reasonable order with light scuffing as you would expect on an unrestored 23 year old car. The wheels have been recently refitted with non-matching tyres - but all show a good 80% tread depth.

In this time of restricted travel, we cannot encourage arranging an inspection in person, but certainly take some time to study the detailed photos in the gallery and why not use the ‘Contact Seller’ option above to arrange a video call with the vendor to look a little closer at the paint blemishes and general condition.

The interior is in generally good condition with only age-related scuffs and knocks around the black vinyl and leather trim. The only issue of note is the driver’s seat which has a few splits and tears in the leather, the one on the side bolster being rather large. This was due to be repaired shortly but the retrimmer’s business had to close due to coronavirus restrictions. The cost quoted was between £180-200 and, if required, the vendor can put the new owner in touch with the firm to pick things back up once a greater degree of normality returns to the UK.

The MOMO wood and leather steering wheel is in fair condition, the wooden surfaces being in good order but the leather hand grips could do with some nourishment and recolouring.

The “MR2 Tenth Anniversary 015” badge in the centre boss is present but the limited edition sticker on the ashtray has been removed although retained. The vendor was trying to source a replacement ashtray lid as there is slight damage to the original and so the sticker can be re-applied if desired.

The vendor reports that the stereo and clock aren’t currently working although he hasn’t investigated the cause and that whilst there are no related issues, the Security warning light on the dash stays lit.

MR2 logo’d floor mats are present on both sides and these have protected the carpets underneath well. Behind the seats, the stowage areas are also in good order, with straps to keep handbags or shopping from getting sucked out of the open roof at speed.

Under the bonnet in the front there are signs of corrosion starting in the corner of the spare wheel well and a little surface pitting on the underside of the bonnet itself. As with all such things, catching them early with some appropriate rust stop treatment should save a more costly repair in future.

The bodywork under the side sills is looking a little tired, presumably either from being grounded on speed bumps or from some repeated careless jacking in the past. Beyond these, the actual undersides of the car appear in very good order, having been subject to rust removal and re-application of underseal (see photos) as part of the recent recommissioning. There are consequently no signs of corrosion to floor pans, structural members or suspension components.

Under the engine bay cover, there are a few small signs of corrosion starting that could do with attention, much like under the bonnet. The engine block and ancillaries, however, present in a fair, clean and tidy condition. A replacement engine bay sensor with bracket has been bought for the car to replace the one shown in the photos which has rusted away but as the car is being kept in secure parking away from the vendor’s home he has not had a chance to fit it. Also, the original TOYOTA TWIN CAM decal which attaches to the top of the engine manifold is present but, again, not yet refitted.

Inside the boot, the carpets are intact although slightly stained and the tool roll and targa panel covers are present inside. The boot lid itself and all surfaces around the opening appear to be corrosion free.

The online MOT record shows a generally good test history with one or two gaps, notably the most recent 6-7 years off the road. The car was recently retested following recommissioning and has a valid MOT certificate to Feb 2021. The car comes with a large file of invoices, expired MOT tests, owners manual and service booklet which shows a full set of stamps up to 100,000 miles. Only a single key is available with the car but it works in all locks and starts the car.

Since purchase from SORN earlier this year, the vendor has spent over £1,200 getting the car back on the road, fully serviced and tested. This work included changing both the engine and gearbox oil, replacing filters, seals and gaskets as necessary.

It has also had new brake pads, new plugs, a new catalytic converter/back box and downpipe, new bracing bars, a new battery and replacement part-worn 80% tyres. The underbody was stripped back, rust removed and a new underseal coating applied.

All of the above can be verified in the documentation and photos included in the gallery.

This Tenth Anniversary Edition MR2 starts and drives well and holds steady idle revs, as evidenced in the videos included in the gallery. The vendor reports that there are some metallic noises coming from the front when on a bumpy road (can be heard on one of the videos if you have the sound up), which his mechanic said might be the shock absorber top mounts. Otherwise, this is a very driveable car with good acceleration and handling.

According to our data, average selling prices of second generation Toyota MR2s have been steadily increasing over the last five years although, like most cars, have settled in the last 12 months. We think this limited edition car, which would benefit from some cosmetic attention, will sell for between £2,500 and £5,000.

Having been brought back to a good, driveable, roadworthy condition it is now looking for someone to take it on, cherish it and address the light cosmetic work whilst also having a great deal of mid-engined driving fun once movement restrictions allow.

This particular car is located with the vendor in central Nottingham; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

If needed, please remember we have a network of trusted suppliers we work with regularly and can recommend: Classic & Sportscar Finance for purchase-financing, Footman James for classic car insurance Thames Valley Car Storage for storing your car and AnyVan for transporting it.

BORING, but IMPORTANT: Please note that whilst we at The Market always aim to offer the most descriptive and transparent auction listings available, we cannot claim they are perfect analyses of any of the vehicles for sale. We offer far greater opportunity for bidders to view, or arrange inspections for each vehicle thoroughly prior to bidding than traditional auctions, and we never stop encouraging bidders to take advantage of this. We do take a good look at the vehicles delivered to our premises for sale, but this only results in our unbiased personal observations, not those of a qualified inspector or other professional, or the result of a long test drive.

Additionally, please note that most of the videos on our site have been recorded using simple cameras which often result in 'average' sound quality; in particular, engines and exhausts notes can sound a little different to how they are in reality.

Please note that this is sold as seen and that, as is normal for used goods bought at auction, the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. See our FAQs for more info, and feel free to inspect any vehicle as much as you wish.