2023 Toyota Corolla: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2023 Toyota Corollas, from 3,079 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2023 Toyota Corollas than on all cars registered in 2023.
- Number plate lights7.1× usualToyota Corolla5% All 2023 cars0.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.3% of all 2023 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £5–£40 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.
By area
The share of 2023 Toyota Corolla MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres19% 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 electrics7% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Brakes5% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors4% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Suspension1% 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.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 2000 | 896 | Suspension 41% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2023 Toyota Corollas registered in 2023. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score