At a Glance
Toyota has 203 identified common problems across 87 models, with the Hilux being the most affected model and electrical the most common problem category. Based on 26.0M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we identify common car problems →
Below: per-model breakdowns of Toyota common problems, MOT failure rates by category, pass-rate data, and repair patterns drawn from 26.0M DVSA MOT tests across 20 years. Click any model to see generation-specific issues, mileage-banded fault patterns, and the most common MOT failures recorded by UK testers.
MOT Tests & Failures by Model
Top Toyota models by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that model's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Toyota Common Problems by Model
Select a model to see problems by generation
Showing top 9 by MOT test volume — search to find any of 87 Toyota models.
Yaris
Most common: Suspension
Corolla
Most common: Brakes
Avensis
Most common: Brakes
Rav4
Most common: Brakes
Aygo
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
Auris
Most common: Brakes
Prius
Most common: Tyres & Wheels
Hilux
Most common: Brakes
Celica
Most common: Brakes
Most Common Toyota MOT Failures
Every reason Toyota vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 10.14% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 7.60% |
| 3 | Number plate lamp not working | 6.46% |
| 4 | Stop lamp not working | 5.33% |
| 5 | Tyre condition | 4.91% |
| 6 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.72% |
| 7 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 4.32% |
| 8 | Front lamp not working | 3.94% |
| 9 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.65% |
| 10 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 3.51% |
| 11 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.12% |
| 12 | Position lamp not working | 2.95% |
| 13 | Exhaust system fault | 2.94% |
| 14 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.37% |
| 15 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.16% |
| 16 | Headlamp fault | 2.03% |
| 17 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 1.94% |
| 18 | Driveshaft fault | 1.84% |
| 19 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.64% |
| 20 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.53% |
| 21 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.51% |
| 22 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.46% |
| 23 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.38% |
| 24 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.28% |
| 25 | Indicator fault | 1.11% |
| 26 | Fog lamp not working | 0.93% |
| 27 | Rear lamp not working | 0.92% |
| 28 | Parking brake condition | 0.83% |
| 29 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.78% |
| 30 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.78% |
| 31 | Seat belt condition | 0.58% |
| 32 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.50% |
| 33 | Track rod end worn | 0.50% |
| 34 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.48% |
| 35 | Front suspension fault | 0.47% |
| 36 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.46% |
| 37 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.46% |
| 38 | Chassis condition | 0.46% |
| 39 | Horn not working | 0.45% |
| 40 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.45% |
| 41 | ABS fault | 0.41% |
| 42 | Rear suspension fault | 0.35% |
| 43 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.35% |
| 44 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.30% |
| 45 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.30% |
| 46 | Steering rack fault | 0.29% |
| 47 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.28% |
| 48 | Airbag warning light on | 0.28% |
| 49 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.24% |
| 50 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.23% |
| 51 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.21% |
| 52 | Brake lever fault | 0.20% |
| 53 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.19% |
| 54 | Brake pedal fault | 0.15% |
| 55 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.15% |
| 56 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.14% |
| 57 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.13% |
| 58 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.12% |
| 59 | Brake caliper fault | 0.11% |
| 60 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.10% |
| 61 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.10% |
| 62 | Brake fluid leak | 0.10% |
| 63 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.10% |
| 64 | Steering lock fault | 0.09% |
| 65 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.09% |
| 66 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.09% |
| 67 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.08% |
| 68 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.08% |
| 69 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.08% |
| 70 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.08% |
| 71 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.08% |
| 72 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.06% |
| 73 | Electrical switch fault | 0.06% |
| 74 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.05% |
| 75 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 76 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.05% |
| 77 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.05% |
| 78 | Steering arm worn | 0.05% |
| 79 | Engine oil leak | 0.05% |
| 80 | Steering free play excessive | 0.05% |
| 81 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.05% |
| 82 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.05% |
| 83 | Drag link end worn | 0.04% |
| 84 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.04% |
| 85 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.04% |
| 86 | Body security fault | 0.04% |
| 87 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.04% |
| 88 | Propshaft fault | 0.04% |
| 89 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.04% |
| 90 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 91 | CV joint worn | 0.03% |
| 92 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.03% |
| 93 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | 0.02% |
| 95 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 97 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 98 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 99 | Power steering pump fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Towbar fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 103 | Steering column fault | 0.02% |
| 104 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.02% |
| 105 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.01% |
| 107 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.01% |
| 108 | Driver door fault | 0.01% |
| 109 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.01% |
| 110 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 111 | Front passenger door fault | 0.01% |
| 112 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 113 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 114 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.01% |
| 115 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.01% |
| 116 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 117 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 118 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 120 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 122 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 124 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 125 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 126 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 129 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 132 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 134 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 135 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 137 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 138 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 139 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 140 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 142 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 145 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 148 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 149 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 152 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 154 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 156 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 162 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 163 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 165 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 166 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 167 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 168 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 173 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 175 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 177 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 178 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 181 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 182 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 185 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 187 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 188 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 190 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 191 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 192 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 193 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 194 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 195 | Leaf spring slipper worn | <0.01% |
| 196 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 197 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 198 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 199 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 200 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 201 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 202 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 203 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 204 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 205 | Chain drive fault | <0.01% |
| 206 | Handlebars damaged | <0.01% |
| 207 | Passenger hand grip fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 207 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Toyota MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for Toyota, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Toyota problems?
Based on analysis of 26.0M Toyota MOT tests from DVSA data, Toyota has 203 identified common problems across 87 models. The Toyota Hilux has the most recorded problems. Electrical issues are the most common category.
Which Toyota model has the most problems?
By total identified common problems, the Toyota Hilux has the highest count with 55 problems. This is partly because it is one of the more popular Toyota models on UK roads. See the models grid for a full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Toyota?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Toyota owners spot problems early. We review all submissions before they are published.
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