Used car guide

1998 Toyota Corolla: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Toyota Corolla first registered in 1998: we looked at the 773 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

773MOTs of 1998 cars, done in 2025
57%pass first time (all 1998 cars: 66%)
3,600typical miles a year
3.4×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1998 Toyota Corolla?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1998 Toyota Corolla than on all cars registered in 1998.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.4× usual
    Toyota Corolla
    17.2% All 1998 cars
    5.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.8%, against 2.1% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints7.6× usual
    Toyota Corolla
    13.6% All 1998 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 0.4% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Tread depth2× usual
    Toyota Corolla
    21% All 1998 cars
    10.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.1% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Shock absorbers2.3× usual
    Toyota Corolla
    15% All 1998 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.5% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Number plates2.3× usual
    Toyota Corolla
    13.2% All 1998 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.6% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

Common 1998 Toyota Corolla MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1998 Toyota Corolla MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    51% 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.

  • Tyres
    33% 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
    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.

  • Lights and electrics
    25% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    21% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    17% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1998 Toyota Corolla

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

  1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 1998 Toyota Corolla as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 7.6× as often on the 1998 Toyota Corolla as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the tread depth? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 1998 Toyota Corolla as on other cars the same age.)
  4. 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, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Toyota Corolla compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
20233,095Tyres 19%
202219,168Tyres 22%
202119,981Tyres 24%
202019,016Tyres 23%
201916,473Tyres 24%
2017–Too few tests
20091,141Suspension 43%
20082,855Lights and electrics 42%
20073,778Suspension 45%
200610,838Lights and electrics 46%
20059,472Brakes 47%
20045,977Brakes 49%
20034,501Brakes 47%
20022,946Brakes 47%
20011,676Brakes 36%
2000896Suspension 41%
1999947Suspension 41%
1997406Suspension 49%
1996158Suspension 44%
1995109Suspension 44%
1994145Suspension 42%
1993145Suspension 39%
1992106Suspension 40%
1991–Too few tests
1990–Too few tests
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1983–Too few tests
1981–Too few tests
1980–Too few tests
1979–Too few tests
1978–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Toyota Corolla cars first registered in 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score