Used car guide

2008 Toyota Yaris: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Toyota Yariss, from 21,082 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

21,082MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,500typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Toyota Yariss than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.2× usual
    Toyota Yaris
    20.8% All 2008 cars
    9.6%
    Rough price £100–£400

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Corroded fuel pipes11.6× usual
    Toyota Yaris
    8.1% All 2008 cars
    0.7%
    Rough price £100–£400

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Coil springs1.6× usual
    Toyota Yaris
    19.2% All 2008 cars
    12.2%
    Rough price £120–£300

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints1.7× usual
    Toyota Yaris
    12% All 2008 cars
    7.2%
    Rough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings1.8× usual
    Toyota Yaris
    7.3% All 2008 cars
    4.1%
    Rough price £80–£450

    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: 4.8% here, against 12.5% of all 2008 cars. Ball joint: 2.5% here, against 6.5% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Toyota Yaris MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    48% 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
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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
    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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    16% 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.

  • 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 Yaris?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
202014,844Tyres 24%
201928,082Tyres 28%
201828,032Tyres 28%
201726,882Tyres 27%
201628,569Tyres 28%
201530,835Tyres 29%
201429,188Tyres 29%
201328,980Suspension 30%
201227,335Suspension 34%
201115,920Suspension 35%
201018,148Suspension 40%
200923,837Suspension 40%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Toyota Yariss registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score