Toyota Corolla: what fails at MOT
130,000 MOT tests on the Toyota Corolla in 2024, counted. 23.3% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
23.2% of Toyota Corolla tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 24.6%, so the Corolla is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (8.3% of tests), brakes (4.6% of tests) and wipers, washers and windscreen (4.1% of tests). It fails on wipers, washers and windscreen more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 27,835 | 10.1% | 10.9% | 27,500 17,800 to 42,700 |
| 2020 | 25,299 | 10.5% | 11.5% | 34,600 22,700 to 54,900 |
| 2019 | 21,431 | 10.9% | 13.4% | 44,000 28,700 to 72,100 |
| 2009 | 1,739 | 37.7% | 39.8% | 112,200 90,800 to 138,600 |
| 2008 | 4,622 | 38.6% | 41.5% | 120,000 97,700 to 146,200 |
| 2007 | 6,323 | 40.9% | 41.5% | 116,000 89,600 to 144,800 |
| 2006 | 16,868 | 40.0% | 42.4% | 101,700 75,600 to 130,900 |
| 2005 | 14,956 | 40.5% | 42.2% | 104,200 78,900 to 130,900 |
| 2004 | 9,928 | 43.8% | 42.3% | 104,000 78,900 to 128,900 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Toyota Corolla tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Corolla | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 8.3% | 7.0% | |
| Brakes | 4.6% | 4.4% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 4.1% | 3.1% | More than most |
| Tyres | 3.6% | 3.7% | |
| Suspension | 2.6% | 5.1% | Less than most |
| Body and structure | 1.7% | 2.6% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.4% | 2.1% | Less than most |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.5% | 0.9% |
The parts that fail most
- Headlamp aim2.9%
- Wipers2.6%
- Tyre2.5%
- Headlamp2.2%
- Side light2.2%
- Brake light1.7%
- Washers1.4%
- Tyre tread1.3%
- Footbrake1.2%
- Brake pads1.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.6%
- Side light: not working2.1%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.7%
- Brake light: not working1.6%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.2%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.1%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.1%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps0.9%
- Footbrake: excessively binding0.9%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge11.0%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.8%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.4%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material4.8%
- Coil spring: corroded4.0%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.8%
- Number plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread3.4%
- Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened2.7%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Toyota Corolla's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.