Used car guide

2005 Toyota Corolla: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Toyota Corolla first registered in 2005: we looked at the 33,915 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

33,915MOTs of 2005 cars, done in 2023–2025
59%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 57%)
5,400typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for headlights

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Toyota Corolla?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Toyota Corolla than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Headlights1.8× usual
    Toyota Corolla
    23.5% All 2005 cars
    13.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.9%, against 5% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Suspension arm2.7× usual
    Toyota Corolla
    9.5% All 2005 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.4% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

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

  • Braking performance1.8× usual
    Toyota Corolla
    13.1% All 2005 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Brake pads1.6× usual
    Toyota Corolla
    13% All 2005 cars
    8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 2% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Number plates1.6× usual
    Toyota Corolla
    10.1% All 2005 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.6% of all 2005 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.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4.5% here, against 10.5% of all 2005 cars. Ball joint: 1.7% here, against 6.5% of all 2005 cars.

Common 2005 Toyota Corolla MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Toyota Corolla MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    47% 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
    43% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    42% 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
    31% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    13% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% 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.

Known faults on the 2005 Toyota Corolla

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.

  • Several brake, gearbox and airbag recalls

    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

  • Misty rear lights

    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

    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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 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. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2005 Toyota Corolla as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2005 Toyota Corolla as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2005 Toyota Corolla as on other cars the same age.)
  5. 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
20235,963Tyres 15%
202223,846Tyres 21%
202140,866Tyres 23%
202055,785Tyres 23%
201948,389Tyres 24%
2017–Too few tests
2014154Lights and electrics 24%
2010279Lights and electrics 38%
20093,861Lights and electrics 37%
20089,963Lights and electrics 39%
200713,759Lights and electrics 43%
200637,761Lights and electrics 44%
200421,999Brakes 49%
200316,496Brakes 48%
200211,020Lights and electrics 46%
20016,056Brakes 38%
20003,511Suspension 38%
19993,556Suspension 41%
19982,856Suspension 47%
19971,467Suspension 47%
1996573Suspension 40%
1995440Suspension 42%
1994525Suspension 40%
1993529Suspension 40%
1992379Suspension 37%
1991195Suspension 34%
1990177Suspension 34%
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 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Toyota Corolla cars first registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score