Toyota Yaris: what fails at MOT
567,000 MOT tests on the Toyota Yaris in 2024, counted. 25.6% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
25.6% of Toyota Yaris tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 27.7%, so the Yaris is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (9.3% of tests), suspension (5.4% of tests) and wipers, washers and windscreen (4.2% 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 | 40,150 | 6.4% | 10.9% | 17,700 12,000 to 25,400 |
| 2020 | 29,585 | 10.3% | 11.5% | 20,800 13,800 to 30,100 |
| 2019 | 37,432 | 12.8% | 13.4% | 26,000 17,300 to 36,800 |
| 2018 | 37,022 | 14.6% | 15.6% | 32,300 22,000 to 45,000 |
| 2017 | 35,636 | 16.8% | 18.2% | 37,200 25,800 to 51,600 |
| 2016 | 37,006 | 16.9% | 21.3% | 43,700 30,300 to 60,400 |
| 2015 | 40,002 | 19.4% | 24.4% | 50,900 35,700 to 69,100 |
| 2014 | 38,236 | 23.6% | 27.7% | 55,800 39,300 to 75,500 |
| 2013 | 38,457 | 26.5% | 30.6% | 61,900 43,900 to 82,500 |
| 2012 | 36,187 | 28.9% | 33.4% | 67,500 48,400 to 89,100 |
| 2011 | 21,176 | 29.9% | 36.1% | 70,600 51,200 to 92,300 |
| 2010 | 24,338 | 34.4% | 38.6% | 78,100 56,900 to 101,800 |
| 2009 | 31,873 | 34.8% | 39.8% | 80,500 57,400 to 105,100 |
| 2008 | 29,155 | 42.7% | 41.5% | 90,800 67,700 to 116,800 |
| 2007 | 27,340 | 43.5% | 41.5% | 92,700 69,000 to 118,600 |
| 2006 | 23,067 | 46.0% | 42.4% | 94,500 71,500 to 120,200 |
| 2005 | 21,911 | 46.5% | 42.2% | 90,600 66,300 to 116,900 |
| 2004 | 18,305 | 46.6% | 42.3% | 92,100 67,500 to 118,600 |
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 Yaris tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Yaris | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 9.3% | 7.8% |
| Suspension | 5.4% | 6.3% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen More than most | 4.2% | 3.1% |
| Brakes | 3.7% | 4.7% |
| Tyres | 3.6% | 4.2% |
| Body and structure Less than most | 1.7% | 2.5% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.7% | 2.2% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.4% | 0.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Side light2.8%
- Wipers2.3%
- Headlamp aim2.2%
- Tyre2.1%
- Headlamp2.1%
- Washers1.8%
- Number plate light1.6%
- Tyre tread1.6%
- Brake light1.6%
- Coil spring1.5%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working2.7%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.3%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.5%
- Brake light: not working1.4%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.3%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.2%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.1%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.0%
- Wheel bearings: rough when rotated0.9%
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 edge11.6%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing8.7%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material5.3%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.0%
- Coil spring: corroded3.4%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.3%
- Number plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread2.4%
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?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Toyota Yaris's own MOT record
Looking at a Yaris? Type its registration to 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.