2005 Toyota Corolla · 42,958 MOT tests
2005 Toyota Corolla reliability
2005 Toyota Corollas fail 39.9% of first MOT tests, 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 16 Corolla years (42,958 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Toyota Corollas: 32.2%)
- 39.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Toyota Corollas: 32.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 8% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- 102,595
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 42,958
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: about average for its age (the 2005 car does better)
- 2006 cars: 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- Weak spot: brakes, 15.1% of tests fail here (15% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 73% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 Toyota Corolla
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22.8%
- Brakes15.1%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.1%
- Suspension7.6%
- Tyres5.7%
- Body, chassis and structure4.4%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 5.41%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Position lamp not working 4.8%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Stop lamp not working 4.52%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.23%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.48%
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 3.13%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (13.74%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.88%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (12.02%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (11.43%) · Brake pads wearing thin (8.84%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.75%)
Other years
Every Toyota Corolla year
The full picture: Toyota Corolla reliability. Before you pay for any Toyota Corolla, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2005 Toyota Corolla reliable?
2005 Toyota Corollas fail 39.9% of first MOT tests, 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 16 Corolla years (42,958 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 Toyota Corolla MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (5.41% of tests), position lamp not working (4.8% of tests), stop lamp not working (4.52% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 Toyota Corolla have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2005 Toyota Corolla shows 102,595 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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