City car · 2008–2020 cars
Toyota iQ reliability
The Toyota iQ fails 23% of first MOT tests, 29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 57,294 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Toyota iQ before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 23%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 29% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 57,294
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 4,900
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Toyota iQ ages
Each point is the share of Toyota iQs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Toyota iQ | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 12.2% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 16.4% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 16.6% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 20.2% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 20.8% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 23.5% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 25.3% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 25.4% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 27.1% | 42.3% |
By year
The best and worst Toyota iQ years
2014 cars come out best and 2013 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 iQ | 2,852 | 14.4% | 31% fewer fails | 38,257 |
| 2013 iQ | 4,354 | 18.2% | 25% fewer fails | 45,271 |
| 2012 iQ | 7,812 | 20.4% | 27% fewer fails | 53,590 |
| 2011 iQ | 8,477 | 22.9% | 26% fewer fails | 59,689 |
| 2010 iQ | 12,537 | 24.7% | 28% fewer fails | 66,865 |
| 2009 iQ | 21,146 | 25.2% | 30% fewer fails | 70,869 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Toyota iQ
Its weak spot is windscreen, wipers and mirrors: 18% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics9.4%29% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6%18% above avg
- Brakes5.6%23% below avg
- Suspension4.8%58% below avg
- Tyres3.5%41% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.6%53% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.4%64% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.6%30% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.4%2% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.21% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Position lamp not working 2.46% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.56% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 4
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 1.55% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 5
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.54% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 6
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 1.52% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
- 7
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.38% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 8
Stop lamp not working 1.37% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Toyota iQ's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking11.15%
- Brake disc pitted or scored9.46%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit8.74%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.43%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy6.81%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion3.6%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Toyota iQ
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
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.
- 3
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 4
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 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 iQ covers about 4,900 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
- Petrol100%
- Diesel0%
- Hybrid0%
Most common colours
White, Black, Silver, Purple, Red
Average engine size: 1.0 litres.
Compare
How the Toyota iQ compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota iQ | 23% | 29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SEAT Mii | 21.4% | about average for its age |
| Smart Fortwo Coupe | 34.8% | about average for its age |
| Abarth 595 | 18.6% | 16% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C2 | 47.7% | 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat 500C | 31.5% | 27% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Spark | 44.8% | 46% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Toyota models.
Questions
Toyota iQ questions, answered
Is the Toyota iQ reliable?
On MOT results, the Toyota iQ is better than average: it fails 23% of first MOT tests, 29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 1 of 43 city car models in our index.
What fails most on a Toyota iQ MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Toyota iQ are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.21% of tests), position lamp not working (2.46% of tests), windscreen washer fluid insufficient (1.56% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 9.4% of its tests.
Which Toyota iQ year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2014 cars do best (31% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2013 cars do worst (25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Toyota iQ do a year?
A typical Toyota iQ covers about 4,900 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 iQ 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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