Small car · 1998–2021 cars

Toyota Yaris reliability

The Toyota Yaris fails 28.9% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, based on 1,428,693 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 50/100#15 of 63 small cars

Checking a Toyota Yaris before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 28.9%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 1% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 1,428,693; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 6,100; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Toyota Yaris is about average for MOT fails when compared with cars of the same age and mileage. Of 1,428,693 MOT tests from 2022 to 2024, 28.9% of Yaris cars failed their first test, against 28.4% for all cars. It ranks 15 of 63 small car models. Year matters, though. Cars from 2021 had 32% fewer MOT fails than comparable cars, while 1999 cars had 24% more.

A Yaris can still be a sound buy if you check the right things. Windscreen, wipers and mirrors are the weak area, with 26% more fails than comparable cars. Before you buy, check that the position lamps and stop lamps work, that the wiper blades clear the windscreen, and that the coil springs are not fractured or broken.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Toyota Yaris ages

Each point is the share of Toyota Yariss of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Toyota YarisAll cars

Toyota Yaris first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Toyota Yaris	All cars
3	10.4%	12.3%
4	12.9%	14.1%
5	14%	16.4%
6	15.6%	19.1%
7	17.8%	22.1%
8	21.1%	25.5%
9	25.1%	28.8%
10	27.5%	31.8%
11	29%	34.6%
12	31.1%	37.3%
13	34.6%	39.5%
14	37.8%	41.1%
15	41.4%	42.3%
16	43.7%	42.9%
17	44.7%	43.4%
18	45.8%	43.5%
19	46.1%	43.4%
20	45.4%	42.8%
21	44.9%	41.4%
22	44.7%	40.6%
23	46.6%	38.9%
24	46.6%	37.1%
25	51%	35.8%

By year

The best and worst Toyota Yaris years

2021 cars come out best and 1999 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Toyota Yaris MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 Yaris	8,680	7.1%	32% fewer fails	19,210
2020 Yaris	33,758	10.4%	4% fewer fails	20,308
2019 Yaris	73,262	12%	3% more fails	22,565
2018 Yaris	93,258	13.6%	4% more fails	26,868
2017 Yaris	89,541	15.6%	2% more fails	32,217
2016 Yaris	94,212	15.6%	13% fewer fails	38,662
2015 Yaris	101,706	18%	14% fewer fails	45,728
2014 Yaris	96,054	23.5%	2% fewer fails	51,450
2013 Yaris	96,105	26.9%	1% fewer fails	57,562
2012 Yaris	91,178	29.1%	3% fewer fails	62,826
2011 Yaris	53,953	29.2%	10% fewer fails	66,500
2010 Yaris	62,630	33.9%	5% fewer fails	73,854
2009 Yaris	82,942	34.3%	8% fewer fails	76,423
2008 Yaris	77,286	41.5%	3% more fails	86,649
2007 Yaris	73,192	42.9%	4% more fails	88,736
2006 Yaris	61,913	44.8%	7% more fails	90,813
2005 Yaris	60,871	45%	8% more fails	87,652
2004 Yaris	51,449	46.3%	10% more fails	89,969
2003 Yaris	44,327	46%	10% more fails	91,433
2002 Yaris	35,087	44.2%	7% more fails	91,818
2001 Yaris	27,466	44.6%	10% more fails	92,409
2000 Yaris	14,507	45.5%	15% more fails	94,064
1999 Yaris	5,315	46.6%	24% more fails	93,026

Common problems

What fails most on a Toyota Yaris

Its weak spot is windscreen, wipers and mirrors: 26% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics14.3%23% above avg
Suspension8.8%5% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.3%26% above avg
Brakes5.8%17% below avg
Tyres5%14% below avg
Body, chassis and structure3%24% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks3%12% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.8%34% below avg
Number plates and VIN0.4%2% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Position lamp not working 3.64% 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 3.25% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
3
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.61% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
4
Stop lamp not working 2.2% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.89% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
6
Registration plate lamp not working 1.79% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
7
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.67% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.45% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Toyota Yaris's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit12.2%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking10.45%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy6.8%
Brake disc pitted or scored5.92%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear5.04%
Coil spring showing some corrosion4.93%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Toyota Yaris

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
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
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 Yaris covers about 6,100 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

Petrol75.3%
Hybrid18.1%
Diesel5.4%
Other1.1%
Electric0.1%
LPG0%

Most common colours

Silver, Red, Blue, Grey, White

Average engine size: 1.3 litres.

Compare

How the Toyota Yaris compares with its rivals

Toyota Yaris against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Honda Jazz	25.7%	11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
MINI Hatch	25.6%	10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota Yaris	28.9%	about average for its age
Skoda Fabia	29.5%	4% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Volkswagen Polo	32.8%	16% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Nissan Micra	36.3%	20% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Clio	43.1%	44% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Toyota models.

Questions

Toyota Yaris questions, answered

Is the Toyota Yaris reliable?

On MOT results, the Toyota Yaris is about average: it fails 28.9% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage. It ranks 15 of 63 small car models in our index.

What fails most on a Toyota Yaris MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Toyota Yaris are position lamp not working (3.64% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.25% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (2.61% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 14.3% of its tests.

Which Toyota Yaris year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (32% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1999 cars do worst (24% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Toyota Yaris do a year?

A typical Toyota Yaris covers about 6,100 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 Yaris 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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