Used car guide

2011 Toyota Yaris: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Toyota Yariss, from 15,920 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

15,920MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
5,400typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Toyota Yariss than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.7× usual
    Toyota Yaris
    16.6% All 2011 cars
    6.1%
    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 pipes15.3× usual
    Toyota Yaris
    4.6% All 2011 cars
    0.3%
    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.

  • Suspension arm1.9× usual
    Toyota Yaris
    6.4% All 2011 cars
    3.3%
    Rough price £100–£300

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Wipers1.7× usual
    Toyota Yaris
    5.3% All 2011 cars
    3.1%
    Rough price £15–£60

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.4× usual
    Toyota Yaris
    3.6% All 2011 cars
    1.5%
    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: 1.8% here, against 8.9% of all 2011 cars. Ball joint: 1.3% here, against 6.1% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Toyota Yaris MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    35% 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
    31% 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
    22% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Rust and bodywork
    8% 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.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Recalls on early cars

    Early cars had recalls for brake fluid leaks, power steering, rear hubs, airbags and suspension.

    At the viewing: Ask a Toyota dealer to confirm all recall work was done.

    Source: Auto Express: used Toyota Yaris Mk3 review

  • CVT automatic
    Automatic (not hybrid)

    The Multidrive automatic is rated as less reliable than the manual.

    At the viewing: If it’s an automatic, check it drives smoothly from a standstill and at low speed.

    Source: Auto Express: used Toyota Yaris Mk3 review

  • Corrosion behind the number plate

    The rear number plate trim can make the tailgate corrode.

    At the viewing: Look closely around the rear number plate.

    Source: Auto Express: used Toyota Yaris Mk3 review

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
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%
201018,148Suspension 40%
200923,837Suspension 40%
200821,082Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Toyota Yariss registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score