Used car guide

2000 Toyota Corolla: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2000 Toyota Corollas, from 896 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

896MOT tests in 2025

62%pass first time (all 2000 cars: 63%)

3,700typical miles a year

2.3×the usual rate for braking performance

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2000 Toyota Corollas than on all cars registered in 2000.

Braking performance2.3× usual

Toyota Corolla
16.5% All 2000 cars
7.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 3.3% of all 2000 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.
Anti-roll bar link joints4× usual

Toyota Corolla
9.3% All 2000 cars
2.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.7% of all 2000 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.
Number plates1.8× usual

Toyota Corolla
12.2% All 2000 cars
6.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.7% of all 2000 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.
Brakes pulling to one side2.3× usual

Toyota Corolla
5.6% All 2000 cars
2.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.8% of all 2000 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.
Side repeaters2.7× usual

Toyota Corolla
4% All 2000 cars
1.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.8% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

Better than most

Ball joint: 2.6% here, against 5.5% of all 2000 cars.

By area

The share of 2000 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

36% 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

30% 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

27% 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

17% 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

15% 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

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2023	3,079	Tyres 19%
2022	19,166	Tyres 22%
2021	19,979	Tyres 24%
2020	19,016	Tyres 23%
2019	16,473	Tyres 24%
2009	1,141	Suspension 43%
2008	2,855	Lights and electrics 42%
2007	3,778	Suspension 45%
2006	10,838	Lights and electrics 46%
2005	9,472	Brakes 47%
2004	5,977	Brakes 49%
2003	4,501	Brakes 47%
2002	2,946	Brakes 47%
2001	1,676	Brakes 36%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2000 Toyota Corollas registered in 2000. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score