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 344,147 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1986 Toyota Corolla

Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Toyota Corolla as a whole.

139on the UK register at the end of 2025
ProbablyMOT-exempt (40+ years old), unless substantially changed
Petrol hybridfuel type
What to check on a 1986 car
  • Rust and structure

    Look underneath at the sills, floor, chassis rails and jacking points. Rust in the structure costs far more to fix than paint bubbles.

  • MOT-exempt isn’t roadworthy

    Cars over 40 don’t need an MOT, but they must still be safe. A voluntary MOT or a specialist inspection is worth the money.

  • Paperwork

    Old MOT certificates, bills and restoration photos show how it has been looked after. Check the logbook matches the car’s VIN and engine number.

  • Originality

    Changes from standard affect value and insurance. Ask what has been replaced or modified.

  • Insurance

    Classic insurance is often cheaper but may limit mileage and use. Get a quote before you buy.

Other years

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, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Steering swivel joints

    up to 5.8× 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.

  • Headlights

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

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

  • Number plates

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 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.

  • Braking performance

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 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.

  • Brake pads

    up to 2× usual

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

    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.

  • Suspension arm

    up to 3.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    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.

Diesel

  • Steering swivel joints

    up to 7.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2005, 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.

  • Brake pads

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

    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 plate lights

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 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.

  • Diesel smoke emissions

    up to 8.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004 and 2009.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Suspension arm

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    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.

  • Headlights

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

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

Hybrid

  • Number plate lights

    up to 4.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2019, 2021 and 2022.

    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% +15,947
202291%89% +223,838
202190%87% +340,845
202089%87% +255,784
201988%85% +348,385
201477%70% +7145 (small sample)
201064%60% +4272 (small sample)
200962%59% +33,861
200861%57% +49,957
200761%57% +413,759
200661%56% +537,752
200559%57% +233,913
200457%57% +021,999
200357%57% +016,496
200259%58% +111,020
200163%60% +36,048
200063%61% +23,498
199961%63% -23,556
199859%65% -62,856
199760%65% -51,456
199663%66% -3557
199561%67% -6426 (small sample)
199466%67% -1514
199366%68% -2512
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 2.2× 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 9.8× 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