At a Glance
The Toyota Corolla has 1 identified common problems across 9 generations, with the E120 (2002-2007) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 3.3M 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 our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Toyota Corolla common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Toyota Corolla generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Toyota Corolla owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
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Browse Toyota Corolla Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
E70
Most common MOT failure: Suspension component mounting corroded
E80
Most common MOT failure: Suspension component mounting corroded
E90
Most common MOT failure: Suspension component mounting corroded
E100
Most common MOT failure: Tyre tread below 1.6mm limit
E110
Most common MOT failure: Wiper blades deteriorated
E120
Top issue: Fuel tank corroded or leaking
E140/E150 Saloon
E170 Saloon
E210
Most common MOT failure: Tyre condition
Most Common Toyota Corolla MOT Failures
Every reason Toyota Corolla 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 | 11.00% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 8.83% |
| 3 | Brake performance below minimum | 6.47% |
| 4 | Number plate lamp not working | 6.44% |
| 5 | Stop lamp not working | 5.81% |
| 6 | Tyre condition | 5.02% |
| 7 | Front lamp not working | 4.35% |
| 8 | Brake pads or linings worn | 4.18% |
| 9 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 3.40% |
| 10 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 3.12% |
| 11 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.99% |
| 12 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.95% |
| 13 | Driveshaft fault | 2.93% |
| 14 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.57% |
| 15 | Exhaust system fault | 2.40% |
| 16 | Headlamp fault | 2.37% |
| 17 | Position lamp not working | 1.96% |
| 18 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.68% |
| 19 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.39% |
| 20 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.32% |
| 21 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.31% |
| 22 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.01% |
| 23 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.93% |
| 24 | Parking brake condition | 0.93% |
| 25 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.89% |
| 26 | Indicator fault | 0.73% |
| 27 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.71% |
| 28 | Seat belt condition | 0.68% |
| 29 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.64% |
| 30 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.61% |
| 31 | Rear lamp not working | 0.57% |
| 32 | Steering rack fault | 0.55% |
| 33 | Fog lamp not working | 0.54% |
| 34 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.51% |
| 35 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.49% |
| 36 | Front suspension fault | 0.42% |
| 37 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.40% |
| 38 | ABS fault | 0.32% |
| 39 | Horn not working | 0.32% |
| 40 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.30% |
| 41 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.30% |
| 42 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.29% |
| 43 | Chassis condition | 0.29% |
| 44 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.29% |
| 45 | Airbag warning light on | 0.28% |
| 46 | Track rod end worn | 0.26% |
| 47 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.24% |
| 48 | Brake lever fault | 0.22% |
| 49 | Brake pedal fault | 0.19% |
| 50 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.17% |
| 51 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.15% |
| 52 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.15% |
| 53 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.13% |
| 54 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.13% |
| 55 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.13% |
| 56 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.13% |
| 57 | Steering lock fault | 0.13% |
| 58 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.13% |
| 59 | Electrical switch fault | 0.12% |
| 60 | Brake caliper fault | 0.12% |
| 61 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.12% |
| 62 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.12% |
| 63 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.11% |
| 64 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.10% |
| 65 | Brake fluid leak | 0.10% |
| 66 | Rear suspension fault | 0.10% |
| 67 | CV joint worn | 0.08% |
| 68 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.08% |
| 69 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.08% |
| 70 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.08% |
| 71 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.08% |
| 72 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.07% |
| 73 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.05% |
| 74 | Body security fault | 0.04% |
| 75 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 76 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.04% |
| 77 | Suspension unit fault | 0.04% |
| 78 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.04% |
| 79 | Engine oil leak | 0.03% |
| 80 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.03% |
| 82 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 85 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.02% |
| 86 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 88 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.02% |
| 89 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Steering arm worn | 0.02% |
| 91 | Steering free play excessive | 0.02% |
| 92 | Propshaft fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 94 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 96 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 97 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.01% |
| 98 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Drag link end worn | 0.01% |
| 100 | Steering column fault | 0.01% |
| 101 | Electric power steering fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Steering operation fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Spare wheel fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Passenger seat fault | 0.01% |
| 105 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 108 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 110 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 111 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 114 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 116 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 117 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 120 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 124 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 125 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 126 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 127 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 128 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 129 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 130 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 131 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 132 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 133 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 135 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 138 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 141 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 143 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 144 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 152 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 153 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 156 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 158 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 160 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 161 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 165 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 169 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 171 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 172 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 173 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 174 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 175 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 177 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 179 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 180 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 181 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 184 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 187 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 188 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 190 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 191 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 192 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 193 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 194 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 194 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Toyota Corolla MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Toyota Corolla, 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 Corolla problems?
Based on analysis of 3.3M Toyota Corolla MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 1 identified common problems across 9 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Fuel tank corroded or leaking". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Toyota Corolla generation has the most problems?
The Toyota Corolla E120 (2002-2007) (2002–2007) has the highest number of identified common problems (1). Click the generation card above for the 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 Corolla?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Toyota Corolla owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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