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Toyota

Toyota Corolla reliability by build year

Coverage 2002-present2 named generationsfamily hatchbackHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

Toyota Corolla built around 2022: about average at the MOT

Toyota Corollas built around 2022 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Key figure

9% of MOT tests on Toyota Corollas built around 2022 ended in a fail (retests included), against 10% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Toyota Corollas built around 2022 involves the tyres.

What to check before viewing

The Toyota Corolla's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Visibility

Worth checking

Inspect the visibility carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Corolla's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Toyota Corolla generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
E210 (return of Corolla) (2019-present)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings9.8%built around 2020 (5 years old)from 20,631 MOT tests at this age
E120 (pre-Auris) (2002-2007)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings29.7%built around 2006 (19 years old)from 14,210 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Corolla, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

Toyota Corolla fail rate by age

This chart combines every Toyota Corolla ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
22,3648.9%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
22,1129.6%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
20,6319.8%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
9,61510.5%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
54831.2%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
2,76728.9%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
3,98929.3%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
9,32629.4%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
14,21029.7%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
11,33729.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
7,44731.7%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
5,29330.0%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
3,04829.1%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
1,83228.7%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
4,75228.6%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 21 years old.

What goes wrong most often on 3-year-old Toyota Corollas

These issues come from 3-year-old Toyota Corollas, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    14.9%
    Advisory: 4,998Fail: 236 (5% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    5.3%
    Advisory: 1,780Fail: 16 (1% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    5.2%
    Advisory: 1,314Fail: 310 (19% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre has a cut that does not reach the ply or cords

    3.9%
    Advisory: 764Fail: 331 (30% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Major

    Wiper does not clear the windscreen properly

    2.5%
    Advisory: 390Fail: 288 (42% of the times it was found)

Based on 22,364 MOT tests on 3-year-old Toyota Corollas, every generation combined.

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 3-year-old Toyota Corollas notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres29%
  2. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers26%
  3. Other + Tyres24%
  4. Lighting + Tyres13%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 2,358 MOT tests on Toyota Corolla cars built around 2022 (3 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Toyota Corolla.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

42 recalls in all

28 of the 42 Toyota Corolla recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 7 Critical
  • 21 more

Top concerns

  • Affected vehicles are fitted with a high-pressure fuel pump which over time could develop a crack which could lead to a
  • Replacement airbag inflator installed in an incorrect orientation
  • Airbag inflator may rupture

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7%

    No clear edge over the Toyota Corolla on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    2,689 MOT tests on cars built around 2022

  2. 2

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    No clear edge over the Toyota Corolla on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    35,996 MOT tests on cars built around 2022

  3. 3

    Volkswagen ID.3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.8%

    No clear edge over the Toyota Corolla on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    5,171 MOT tests on cars built around 2022

  4. 4

    Volkswagen E-Up

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%

    No clear edge over the Toyota Corolla on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,385 MOT tests on cars built around 2022

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2022 (3 years old), the Toyota Corolla across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 22,364 3-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Toyota Corolla ever sold: 139,271 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2022 (3 years old): 22,364 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.