Toyota Corolla common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Toyota Corolla at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 105,367 UK MOT tests of the Toyota Corolla in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is swivel pins and bushes (swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn): recorded on 8.2% of tests of 2008–2010 cars at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km), 12× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: linkage ball joints (ball joint has slight play) (7.9×); suspension arm (corroded but not seriously weakened) (6.9×); service brake performance (binding but not excessively) (3.7×). The most common reasons a Toyota Corolla fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Toyota Corolla
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Toyota Corolla than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swivel pins and bushes: swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn | Advisory | 2008–2010 | 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 8.2% | 0.7% | 12× | 576 |
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 1996–1998 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 9.5% | 1.2% | 7.9× | 451 |
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2006–2008 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 12% | 1.7% | 6.9× | 678 |
| Service brake performance: binding but not excessively | Advisory | 2002–2004 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 8.8% | 2.4% | 3.7× | 3,161 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | Advisory | 1998–2000 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 11% | 3.1% | 3.6× | 484 |
| Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output | Advisory | 2006–2008 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 6.6% | 2.4% | 2.8× | 3,245 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | MOT fail | 2001–2003 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 9.7% | 3.7% | 2.6× | 846 |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 1996–1998 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 5.9% | 2.1% | 2.8× | 391 |
Toyota Corolla by mileage (2019–2021 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 10,377 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (6.9%) | — |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 13,768 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (14%) | Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (3%, 1.5×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 6,341 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (15%) | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (12%, 1.7×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 2,913 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (14%) | Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (11%, 1.7×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 1,479 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (15%) | — |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 854 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Brake discs: worn, but not excessively (5.6%, 2.1×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 505 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (13%) | — |
Toyota Corolla by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 598 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (8.2×) |
| 1998 | 1,165 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (7×) |
| 1999 | 1,444 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (5.3×) |
| 2000 | 1,453 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (3.8×) |
| 2001 | 2,398 | Service brake performance: binding but not excessively at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.5×) |
| 2002 | 4,438 | Service brake performance: binding but not excessively at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3.7×) |
| 2003 | 6,570 | Service brake performance: binding but not excessively at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3.7×) |
| 2004 | 8,677 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4×) |
| 2005 | 13,164 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (5.3×) |
| 2006 | 14,385 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (5.9×) |
| 2007 | 5,375 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (6.9×) |
| 2008 | 3,799 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3.1×) |
| 2009 | 1,428 | Swivel pins and bushes: swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (12×) |
| 2010 | 105 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (2.6×) |
| 2019 | 16,249 | Brake discs: worn, but not excessively at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (2.1×) |
| 2020 | 18,712 | Brake discs: worn, but not excessively at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (2.1×) |
| 2021 | 1,818 | Brake discs: worn, but not excessively at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2×) |
| 2022 | 1,664 | Nothing stands out |
| 2023 | 618 | Nothing stands out |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Toyota Corolla?
In 105,367 UK MOT tests of the Toyota Corolla in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is swivel pins and bushes (swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn): recorded on 8.2% of tests of 2008–2010 cars at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km), 12× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: linkage ball joints (ball joint has slight play) (7.9×); suspension arm (corroded but not seriously weakened) (6.9×); service brake performance (binding but not excessively) (3.7×). The most common reasons a Toyota Corolla fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords).
Why do Toyota Corollas fail the MOT?
Across 105,367 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Toyota Corolla were position lamp (not working) (9.1% of tests); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (3.4% of tests); tyres (a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (2.1% of tests).
At what mileage do Toyota Corolla problems start?
The clearest Toyota Corolla-specific issue, swivel pins and bushes (swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn), peaks against other cars at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) on 2008–2010 cars (8.2% of tests vs 0.7% for all cars that age).
Where does this Toyota Corolla data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 105,367 tests of the Toyota Corolla. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.