Toyota iQ: what fails at MOT
23,000 MOT tests on the Toyota iQ in 2024, counted. 23.3% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
23.3% of Toyota iQ tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 36.8%, so the iQ does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (7.2% of tests), wipers, washers and windscreen (4.3% of tests) and brakes (4.1% of tests).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1,176 | 14.8% | 27.7% | 40,400 27,600 to 58,000 |
| 2013 | 1,746 | 17.4% | 30.6% | 48,100 32,200 to 67,700 |
| 2012 | 3,152 | 21.5% | 33.4% | 57,700 40,300 to 77,400 |
| 2011 | 3,425 | 22.5% | 36.1% | 62,600 42,800 to 84,600 |
| 2010 | 4,917 | 25.7% | 38.6% | 70,300 50,300 to 95,200 |
| 2009 | 8,372 | 25.3% | 39.8% | 73,400 52,800 to 97,700 |
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 iQ tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | iQ | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 7.2% | 11.5% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 4.3% | 3.9% | |
| Brakes | 4.1% | 6.4% | Less than most |
| Suspension | 4.1% | 10.0% | Less than most |
| Tyres | 2.5% | 5.0% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.2% | 3.1% | Less than most |
| Body and structure | 1.2% | 3.6% | Less than most |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.5% | 0.9% |
The parts that fail most
- Wipers2.4%
- Side light2.2%
- Washers1.9%
- Headlamp aim1.7%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover1.5%
- Headlamp1.5%
- Tyre1.4%
- Brake pads1.3%
- Brake pipes1.3%
- Brake light1.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%
- Side light: not working2.2%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.5%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.2%
- Brake light: not working1.2%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.2%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded1.1%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.1%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect0.9%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam0.9%
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: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing9.3%
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge7.8%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.6%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material5.8%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.7%
- Coil spring: corroded3.5%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement2.6%
- Number plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread2.2%
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 all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
Check a Toyota iQ'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.