Toyota Yaris Mk3: best and worst years, and what goes wrong
How every year of the Toyota Yaris Mk3 did at its MOT in 2025 compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 258,667 MOT tests.
Year by year
First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Toyota Yaris Mk3, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | Stands out | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011* | 66% | 61% +5 | Rigid brake pipes 2.7× usual | 15,920 |
| 2012 | 67% | 63% +4 | Rigid brake pipes 1.9× usual | 27,335 |
| 2013 | 69% | 66% +3 | Side repeaters 3.9× usual | 28,980 |
| 2014 | 73% | 69% +4 | Front struts 8× usual | 29,188 |
| 2015 | 79% | 72% +7 | Front struts 10× usual | 30,835 |
| 2016 | 81% | 75% +6 | Suspension arm 7.1× usual | 28,569 |
| 2017 | 81% | 78% +3 | Wheel bearings 14.2× usual | 26,882 |
| 2018 | 84% | 81% +3 | Wheel bearings 17.3× usual | 28,032 |
| 2019 | 86% | 84% +2 | Wheel bearings 15.3× usual | 28,082 |
| 2020* | 88% | 86% +2 | Nothing unusual | 14,844 |
Weak spots across the Toyota Yaris Mk3
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.
- Side repeatersup to 4.4× usual
Stands out in 7 years: 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Wheel bearingsup to 17.3× usual
Stands out in 4 years: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016.
Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.
- Suspension armup to 7.7× usual
Stands out in 4 years: 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
- Front strutsup to 10× usual
Stands out in 3 years: 2015, 2014, 2013.
Rough price £120–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Rigid brake pipesup to 1.9× usual
Stands out in 2 years: 2013, 2012.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt 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.
- Headlightsup to 1.8× usual
Stands out in 2 years: 2016, 2015.
Rough price £40–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.
Known faults
From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.
- Recalls on early cars
Early cars had recalls for brake fluid leaks, power steering, rear hubs, airbags and suspension.
Check: Ask a Toyota dealer to confirm all recall work was done.
- CVT automatic
The Multidrive automatic is rated as less reliable than the manual.
Check: If it’s an automatic, check it drives smoothly from a standstill and at low speed.
- Corrosion behind the number plate
The rear number plate trim can make the tailgate corrode.
Check: Look closely around the rear number plate.
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score
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