Used car guide · 1978–2026

Toyota Corolla common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Toyota Corolla, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 344,320 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

344,320MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
182,188on the UK register
4known faults across all years
2006best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

202620252024202320222021202020192017201420102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991199019891988198719861985198419831981198019791978

What usually goes wrong with a Toyota Corolla?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Several brake, gearbox and airbag recalls

    Cars registered 2002–2007 · All engines

    This Corolla had recalls for brake problems (2002 and 2005), possible gearbox damage (2002) and front passenger airbag concerns (2004 and 2006).

    At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg and ask for proof any recall work was done.

    Source: What Car?: Toyota Corolla (2002-2007) reliability

  • Fuel pump recall (built to Oct 2019)

    Cars registered in 2019 · Built to Oct 2019

    The high-pressure fuel pump could be damaged over time on cars built up to October 2019, and was replaced under a 2021 recall. There was also an eCall software recall for cars built Oct 2018 to Apr 2019.

    At the viewing: Ask a Toyota dealer to confirm the recalls were done.

    Source: Auto Express: used Toyota Corolla (Mk12, 2019 on) review

  • Misty rear lights

    Cars registered 2002–2007 · All engines

    Condensation can build up inside the rear light clusters.

    At the viewing: Look inside the rear lights for water droplets or misting.

    Source: What Car?: Toyota Corolla (2002-2007) reliability

  • Squealing brakes

    Cars registered 2002–2007 · All engines

    Owners report squealing brakes. It's an annoyance rather than a major fault.

    At the viewing: Listen for squeals when braking gently on the test drive.

    Source: What Car?: Toyota Corolla (2002-2007) reliability

Common Toyota Corolla MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Number plates

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 9.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Braking performance

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Steering swivel joints

    up to 6.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    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.

  • Tread depth

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2019 and 2023.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Toyota Corolla MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2006 Toyota Corolla did best (61% passed first time, 5 points above all 2006 cars) and the 2023 did worst (93%, 1 point above all 2023 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202393%92% +15,963
202291%89% +223,846
202190%87% +340,866
202089%87% +255,785
201988%85% +348,389
201476%70% +6154 (small sample)
201064%60% +4279 (small sample)
200962%59% +33,861
200861%57% +49,963
200761%57% +413,759
200661%56% +537,761
200559%57% +233,915
200457%57% +021,999
200357%57% +016,496
200259%58% +111,020
200163%60% +36,056
200063%61% +23,511
199961%63% -23,556
199859%65% -62,856
199760%65% -51,467
199663%66% -3573
199561%67% -6440 (small sample)
199465%67% -2525
199366%68% -2529
199272%69% +3379 (small sample)
199176%71% +5195 (small sample)
199068%72% -4177 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Toyota Corolla

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Has all the recall work been done, and can I see the paperwork?
  2. Has the fuel pump recall been done?
  3. Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the Toyota Corolla as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 9.5× as often on the Toyota Corolla as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the Toyota Corolla as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Toyota Corolla?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score