Toyota Corolla MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 105,950 MOT tests on the Toyota Corolla carried out in 2023. 29% failed at the first attempt, which is roughly in line with the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 7 in 10 Corollas passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1990 to 2023. Compared with other cars of the same age, 1991 models did best (78% passed, +8.2 points against the average for 32-year-old cars), while 1996 models fared worst (58%, −7.4 points). Tested cars had covered 79,740 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 14.7% of tests (slightly above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 6.6% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 105,950
- First-time pass rate
- 71%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −0.1 points
- Average mileage at test
- 79,740
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Corolla?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Corolla MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 886 | 99% | 98% | +1.6 points | 3,536 |
| 2022 | 1,695 | 95% | 93% | +1.9 points | 28,349 |
| 2021 | 1,818 | 92% | 91% | +1.5 points | 37,822 |
| 2020 | 18,713 | 89% | 88% | +1.8 points | 32,044 |
| 2019 | 16,249 | 88% | 86% | +1.6 points | 46,492 |
| 2014 | 51 | 73% | 72% | +0.9 points | 75,114 |
| 2010 | 105 | 65% | 60% | +4.3 points | 103,299 |
| 2009 | 1,429 | 65% | 59% | +5.5 points | 113,456 |
| 2008 | 3,801 | 63% | 57% | +5.2 points | 121,058 |
| 2007 | 5,380 | 63% | 57% | +5.8 points | 115,749 |
| 2006 | 14,399 | 62% | 56% | +5.8 points | 103,030 |
| 2005 | 13,174 | 59% | 56% | +3.0 points | 105,068 |
| 2004 | 8,684 | 58% | 56% | +2.2 points | 103,349 |
| 2003 | 6,574 | 57% | 57% | +0.7 points | 102,566 |
| 2002 | 4,441 | 59% | 58% | +1.9 points | 101,607 |
| 2001 | 2,404 | 64% | 59% | +4.9 points | 93,794 |
| 2000 | 1,455 | 65% | 61% | +4.3 points | 93,816 |
| 1999 | 1,446 | 63% | 62% | +0.3 points | 98,689 |
| 1998 | 1,167 | 59% | 64% | −5.4 points | 99,753 |
| 1997 | 599 | 59% | 64% | −5.2 points | 99,726 |
| 1996 | 237 | 58% | 65% | −7.4 points | 94,730 |
| 1995 | 181 | 60% | 66% | −6.3 points | 97,103 |
| 1994 | 204 | 65% | 66% | −1.2 points | 102,262 |
| 1993 | 217 | 65% | 67% | −1.8 points | 105,364 |
| 1992 | 144 | 73% | 68% | +4.9 points | 99,779 |
| 1991 | 82 | 78% | 70% | +8.2 points | 86,736 |
| 1990 | 69 | 70% | 71% | −1.4 points | 85,312 |
Why the Toyota Corolla fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Corolla | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 14.7% | 11.3% |
| Brakes | 9.0% | 6.8% |
| Visibility | 6.1% | 4.8% |
| Tyres | 5.3% | 6.3% |
| Suspension | 5.1% | 8.9% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.4% | 3.1% |
| Body and structure | 3.4% | 3.5% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.1% | 1.0% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.6% | 0.4% |
| Steering | 0.5% | 1.8% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working6.6%
- 2does not clear the windscreen effectively3.6%
- 3projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.2%
- 4less than 1.5 mm thick2.1%
- 5tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.9%
- 6not working on dipped beam1.9%
- 7excessively binding1.8%
- 8efficiency below requirements1.6%
- 9inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.5%
- 10inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.3%
Common Corolla MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Corolla, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 13.5% |
| excessively corroded | Brakes | 9.3% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 8.3% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 8.2% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 6.8% |
| corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 6.6% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 6.5% |
| inscription illegible | Number plates and VIN | 6.1% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.6% |
| excessively binding | Brakes | 4.4% |
Tips to help your Corolla pass
Based on where Corollas most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 14.7% of Corolla tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 9.0% of Corolla tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Visibility · 6.1% of Corolla tests
Clear the view
Replace wiper blades that smear, fill the washer bottle and get chips in the windscreen repaired early, especially in the area directly in front of the driver.
Compare with other models
Is the Corolla ULEZ compliant? See the Toyota Corolla ULEZ check, or view all Toyota models.
Other Toyota models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 105,950 first MOT tests of the Toyota Corolla carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 105,950 first MOT tests of the Toyota Corolla.
What is the Toyota Corolla MOT failure rate?
In our data, 29% of 105,950 first MOT attempts on the Toyota Corolla ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Toyota Corolla fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (14.7% of tests), brakes (9.0% of tests), visibility (6.1% of tests).
Which Corolla year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 1991 cars performed best: 78% passed first time, +8.2 points against the average for 32-year-old cars. The weakest was 1996, at 58% (−7.4 points).
How many miles had a typical Toyota Corolla covered at its MOT?
The average was 79,740 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2023 cars averaged 3,536 miles and 1990 cars 85,312.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Toyota Corolla?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 13.5% of tests, in the tyres area. 5.3% of Corollas failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Corolla's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 105,950 Corollas in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 57% to 99% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
Check any Corolla's MOT history
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