Used car guide

1999 Toyota Corolla: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1999 Toyota Corollas, from 947 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

947MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 65%)
3,700typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for tread depth

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1999 Toyota Corollas than on all cars registered in 1999.

  • Tread depth1.8× usual
    Toyota Corolla
    19.6% All 1999 cars
    11.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.2% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Braking performance2.1× usual
    Toyota Corolla
    14.9% All 1999 cars
    7.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 3.4% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Number plates2.2× usual
    Toyota Corolla
    13.2% All 1999 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.6% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3.8× usual
    Toyota Corolla
    7.5% All 1999 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.6% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Brakes pulling to one side2.5× usual
    Toyota Corolla
    5.8% All 1999 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.7% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

By area

The share of 1999 Toyota Corolla MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    41% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    38% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    29% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    28% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    20% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    14% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Toyota Corolla?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20233,095Tyres 19%
202219,168Tyres 22%
202119,981Tyres 24%
202019,016Tyres 23%
201916,473Tyres 24%
20091,141Suspension 43%
20082,855Lights and electrics 42%
20073,778Lights and electrics 45%
200610,838Lights and electrics 46%
20059,472Brakes 47%
20045,977Brakes 49%
20034,501Brakes 47%
20022,946Brakes 47%
20011,676Brakes 36%
2000896Suspension 41%
1998773Suspension 51%
1997406Suspension 49%
1996158Suspension 44%
1995109Suspension 44%
1994145Suspension 42%
1993145Suspension 39%
1992106Suspension 40%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1999 Toyota Corollas registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score