Used car guide

2002 Toyota Yaris: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Toyota Yariss, from 7,463 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,463MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
4,000typical miles a year
9.6×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link bushes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Toyota Yariss than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes9.6× usual
    Toyota Yaris
    22.1% All 2002 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 0.5% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Headlights2.5× usual
    Toyota Yaris
    26.5% All 2002 cars
    10.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 4% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Coil springs1.8× usual
    Toyota Yaris
    18.8% All 2002 cars
    10.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 2% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.1× usual
    Toyota Yaris
    15% All 2002 cars
    7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 3.5% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Steering swivel joints4.1× usual
    Toyota Yaris
    4.5% All 2002 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 4.6% here, against 17.1% of all 2002 cars. Rigid brake pipes: 7.8% here, against 17.7% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 Toyota Yaris MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    56% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    49% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    32% 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.

  • Brakes
    28% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    16% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    14% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Looking at a Toyota Yaris?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20231,164Tyres 12%
202221,996Tyres 20%
202123,784Tyres 24%
202020,644Tyres 24%
201928,089Tyres 28%
201828,044Tyres 28%
201726,889Tyres 27%
201628,573Tyres 28%
201530,843Tyres 29%
201429,196Tyres 29%
201328,986Tyres 30%
201227,339Suspension 34%
201115,926Suspension 35%
201018,149Suspension 40%
200923,840Suspension 40%
200821,086Suspension 48%
200719,296Suspension 48%
200615,515Lights and electrics 48%
200514,375Suspension 50%
200411,481Suspension 52%
20039,686Suspension 53%
20015,863Suspension 60%
20002,823Suspension 61%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Toyota Yariss registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score