Family hatchback · 1996–2021 cars
Toyota Corolla reliability
The Toyota Corolla fails 32.2% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 292,682 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Toyota Corolla before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 32.2%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 9% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 292,682
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 9,900
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
What this means for buyers
The Toyota Corolla's first-time MOT fail rate is 32.2%, against 28.4% for all cars. That can look worrying, but compare like with like. Against cars of the same age and mileage, the Corolla has 9% fewer MOT fails, and it ranks 20 of 65 family hatchback models. The 2021 models do best, with 35% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Older examples need more care: 1997 models have 16% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage.
A Corolla can still be a sound buy if you check the right things first. Windscreen, wipers and mirrors are the weak spot, with 10% more fails there than comparable cars. So on the car you're looking at, check that the position lamp, wiper blades clearing the windscreen, headlamp beam pattern and stop lamps all work properly.
MOT fail rate by age
How the Toyota Corolla ages
Each point is the share of Toyota Corollas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Toyota Corolla | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10.8% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 10.9% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 11% | 16.4% |
| 12 | 33.3% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 34.9% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 36.5% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 37.1% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 38.5% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 39.5% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 41.2% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 41.9% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 42.6% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 40.9% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 39.3% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 39.7% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 40.4% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 40.8% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst Toyota Corolla years
2021 cars come out best and 1997 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Corolla | 6,808 | 8.9% | 35% fewer fails | 32,618 |
| 2020 Corolla | 29,568 | 10.5% | 26% fewer fails | 34,064 |
| 2019 Corolla | 41,046 | 11.4% | 27% fewer fails | 39,317 |
| 2010 | 348 | 36.5% | 7% fewer fails | 98,105 |
| 2009 Corolla | 4,691 | 36% | 14% fewer fails | 107,390 |
| 2008 Corolla | 12,680 | 37.3% | 14% fewer fails | 116,956 |
| 2007 Corolla | 17,707 | 38.5% | 11% fewer fails | 112,754 |
| 2006 Corolla | 47,231 | 38.8% | 9% fewer fails | 99,521 |
| 2005 Corolla | 42,958 | 39.9% | 8% fewer fails | 102,595 |
| 2004 Corolla | 28,591 | 42.5% | 2% fewer fails | 101,877 |
| 2003 Corolla | 21,669 | 42.2% | 2% fewer fails | 100,364 |
| 2002 Corolla | 14,737 | 41.8% | 1% fewer fails | 99,536 |
| 2001 Corolla | 7,869 | 37.2% | 7% fewer fails | 92,192 |
| 2000 Corolla | 4,744 | 37.4% | 5% fewer fails | 91,748 |
| 1999 Corolla | 5,783 | 40% | 6% more fails | 95,786 |
| 1998 Corolla | 4,255 | 41.1% | 12% more fails | 95,922 |
| 1997 Corolla | 1,100 | 41.6% | 16% more fails | 94,777 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Toyota Corolla
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics17.1%5% above avg
- Brakes10.4%4% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.9%10% above avg
- Suspension6.1%51% below avg
- Tyres5.5%13% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4%26% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure3.8%40% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.3%40% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.7%22% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 3.83% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.73% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.38% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 4
Stop lamp not working 3.14% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 5
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.15% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 6
Dipped beam headlamp not working 2.05% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 7
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.88% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 8
Service brake excessively binding 1.53% of tests
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Toyota Corolla's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit12.28%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy9.68%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.76%
- Brake disc pitted or scored7.42%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion7.25%
- Brake pads wearing thin6.74%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Toyota Corolla
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 4
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Toyota Corolla covers about 9,900 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol62.7%
- Hybrid15.3%
- Diesel11.5%
- Other10.4%
- LPG0.1%
- Electric0%
Most common colours
Silver, Blue, Grey, Black, White
Average engine size: 1.7 litres.
Compare
How the Toyota Corolla compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 2 Series | 14.3% | 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Corolla | 32.2% | 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz B-Class | 26.5% | 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda 3 | 31.9% | 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo V40 | 25.9% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Ceed | 32.7% | 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai i30 | 34% | 20% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Toyota models.
Questions
Toyota Corolla questions, answered
Is the Toyota Corolla reliable?
On MOT results, the Toyota Corolla is about average: it fails 32.2% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 20 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Toyota Corolla MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Toyota Corolla are position lamp not working (3.83% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.73% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (3.38% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 17.1% of its tests.
Which Toyota Corolla year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (35% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1997 cars do worst (16% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Toyota Corolla do a year?
A typical Toyota Corolla covers about 9,900 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Toyota Corolla before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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