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Toyota Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) (2002-2007) reliability

At a glance

Toyota Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) built around 2006: about average at the MOT

Toyota Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) models built around 2006 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Looking at a Toyota Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

30% of MOT tests on Toyota Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) models built around 2006 ended in a fail (retests included), against 32% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Toyota Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) models built around 2006 involves the suspension.

Toyota Corolla E120 (pre-Auris)
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2002-2007HatchbackPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 51,513 tests of Corolla models registered 2002-2007.

About 1 in 20 Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) MOTs (5.6%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2006 (19 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 14,210 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 15 Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) MOTs (7.1%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2006 (19 years old).

Based on 14,210 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

E120 (pre-Auris) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
1,74928.9%
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
2,15129.2%

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.

How the Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) compares

At each age below, see how the Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 63,753 tests across 18 Toyota models, built around 2006 (19 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateToyota average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
1,74928.9%
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
2,15129.2%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Suspension

Worth checking

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

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

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.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Corolla E120 (pre-Auris).

  1. 1

    Subaru Impreza

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21%

    Lower fail rate: 21.0%, against 29.7% for the Toyota Corolla E120 (pre-Auris), both built around 2006.

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

    2,256 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

  2. 2

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    32.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    No clear edge over the Toyota Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) on these figures.

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

    25,644 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

  3. 3

    Peugeot 206

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    32.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.6%
    Dangerous
    6.6%

    No clear edge over the Toyota Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) on these figures.

    8,217 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

  4. 4

    Renault Clio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    34.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9%
    Dangerous
    7.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.9%

    No clear edge over the Toyota Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) on these figures.

    13,940 MOT tests on cars built around 2006

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

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

14 of the 42 Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 4 Critical
  • 10 more

Top concerns

  • Airbag inflator may rupture
  • Driver's side airbag inflator may rupture
  • Risk of fire

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

What has gone wrong on Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) cars built around 2006

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 1,554 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
27%
Emissions
13%
Drivetrain
6%
Bodywork
3%
Steering
2%

Wear items

Brakes
59%
Lighting
55%
Tyres
44%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 29% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2006 (19 years old)

Engine sizes across all petrol Corolla tests (not specific to E120 (pre-Auris)).

1.0 to 1.4 litres29.7%3,845 tests1.4 to 2.0 litres29.4%8,426 tests
How Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) cars have aged

How Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%1416182022Age at MOTBuilt around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 26.9% (5,993 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 27.7% (5,416 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 28.2% (4,837 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 29.3% (4,158 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (3,418 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 27.6% (15,094 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 28.1% (13,608 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 28.4% (12,081 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (10,549 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 29.1% (8,994 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 28.5% (14,468 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 28.2% (12,558 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 29.8% (11,188 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 29.4% (9,440 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (7,799 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 30.1% (9,809 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 30.2% (8,304 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (7,129 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (6,018 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 31.4% (4,751 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 30.0% (7,449 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 29.8% (6,295 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (5,285 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 30.9% (4,245 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 30.5% (3,465 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 30.6% (5,064 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 29.9% (4,164 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 30.1% (3,459 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (2,827 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (2,151 tests, 2025 data)2002
First registered around 2007First registered around 2006First registered around 2005First registered around 2004
How each part holds up as E120 (pre-Auris) cars age

How each part holds up as E120 (pre-Auris) cars age

The share of petrol cars built 2005-2008 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car17 years18 years19 years20 years
Suspension17%20%27%26%
Brakes51%56%59%61%
Emissions19%15%13%18%
Tyres47%45%44%43%
Lighting50%57%55%53%
Drivetrain7%6%6%4%
Bodywork2%1%3%2%
SteeringNo figure4%2%3%
Corrosion23%29%29%30%

Based on petrol cars in the 2005-2008 build-year band, from 200 to 1,857 cars at each age.

E120 (pre-Auris) variants compared

Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) variants built around 2006

The fail rate for each Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • COROLLA29.5%12,273 tests

Diesel

  • COROLLA31.1%1,931 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Toyota Corollas of this age

This list covers every Toyota Corolla built around 2006, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the E120 (pre-Auris) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    19.9%
    Advisory: 4,917Fail: 131 (3% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    18.4%
    Advisory: 3,413Fail: 252 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    18.0%
    Advisory: 3,221Fail: 264 (8% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    14.7%
    Advisory: 3,258Fail: 34 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.6%
    Advisory: 2,713Fail: 251 (8% of the times it was found)

Based on 14,210 tests

Looking at a Toyota Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2006 (19 years old), the Toyota Corolla E120 (pre-Auris) (2002-2007) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 14,210 19-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 51,513 MOT tests on Toyota Corollas first registered between 2002-2007. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.