Used car guide

2021 Toyota Yaris: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Toyota Yariss, from 23,784 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

23,784MOT tests in 2025
91%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
6,000typical miles a year
24%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2021 Toyota Yaris MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    24% 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
    9% 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 mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    1% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Suspension
    1% 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.

Looking at a Toyota Yaris?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20231,164Tyres 12%
202221,996Tyres 20%
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%
20027,463Suspension 56%
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 2021 Toyota Yariss registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score