At a Glance
The Toyota Yaris has 12 identified common problems across 4 generations, with the XP10 (1999-2005) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 6.6M 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 Yaris 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 Yaris 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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Browse Toyota Yaris Generations
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Most Common Toyota Yaris MOT Failures
Every reason Toyota Yaris 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 | 12.87% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 7.04% |
| 3 | Stop lamp not working | 6.53% |
| 4 | Number plate lamp not working | 5.52% |
| 5 | Tyre condition | 5.04% |
| 6 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 4.93% |
| 7 | Brake performance below minimum | 3.91% |
| 8 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 3.90% |
| 9 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.90% |
| 10 | Position lamp not working | 3.73% |
| 11 | Front lamp not working | 3.05% |
| 12 | Exhaust system fault | 2.84% |
| 13 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.37% |
| 14 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 2.33% |
| 15 | Headlamp aim defect | 2.23% |
| 16 | Headlamp fault | 2.15% |
| 17 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 2.06% |
| 18 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.86% |
| 19 | Driveshaft fault | 1.69% |
| 20 | Indicator fault | 1.49% |
| 21 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 1.49% |
| 22 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.35% |
| 23 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.25% |
| 24 | Wheel bearing worn | 1.17% |
| 25 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.10% |
| 26 | Parking brake condition | 1.07% |
| 27 | Rear suspension fault | 0.94% |
| 28 | Brake disc or drum worn | 0.91% |
| 29 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.66% |
| 30 | Rear lamp not working | 0.61% |
| 31 | Horn not working | 0.55% |
| 32 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.54% |
| 33 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.53% |
| 34 | Seat belt condition | 0.53% |
| 35 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.53% |
| 36 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.48% |
| 37 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.47% |
| 38 | ABS fault | 0.41% |
| 39 | Fog lamp not working | 0.41% |
| 40 | Chassis condition | 0.33% |
| 41 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.31% |
| 42 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.30% |
| 43 | Brake lever fault | 0.30% |
| 44 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.30% |
| 45 | Airbag warning light on | 0.26% |
| 46 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.26% |
| 47 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.23% |
| 48 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.22% |
| 49 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.20% |
| 50 | Front suspension fault | 0.19% |
| 51 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.19% |
| 52 | Track rod end worn | 0.18% |
| 53 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.18% |
| 54 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.12% |
| 55 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.11% |
| 56 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.11% |
| 57 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.11% |
| 58 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.09% |
| 59 | Steering lock fault | 0.07% |
| 60 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.07% |
| 61 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.07% |
| 62 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.07% |
| 63 | Steering rack fault | 0.07% |
| 64 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.06% |
| 65 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.06% |
| 66 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.05% |
| 67 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.05% |
| 68 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 69 | Brake pedal fault | 0.05% |
| 70 | Brake caliper fault | 0.04% |
| 71 | Engine oil leak | 0.04% |
| 72 | Body security fault | 0.04% |
| 73 | Brake fluid leak | 0.04% |
| 74 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.04% |
| 75 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 76 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.03% |
| 77 | Propshaft fault | 0.03% |
| 78 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.03% |
| 79 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 80 | Driver door fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.02% |
| 82 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 83 | Front passenger door fault | 0.02% |
| 84 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 85 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 86 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.02% |
| 88 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.02% |
| 89 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Electrical switch fault | 0.01% |
| 91 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.01% |
| 92 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 93 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.01% |
| 94 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 95 | Drag link end worn | 0.01% |
| 96 | Daytime running lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 97 | Driver airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 98 | Steering arm worn | 0.01% |
| 99 | Suspension unit fault | 0.01% |
| 100 | Mirror or camera fault | 0.01% |
| 101 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 102 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 103 | Steering operation fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 105 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 106 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Steering free play excessive | <0.01% |
| 108 | Brake fluid warning light on | <0.01% |
| 109 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 111 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 112 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 113 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 115 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 116 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 117 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 120 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 121 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 122 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | <0.01% |
| 123 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 124 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 125 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 128 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 131 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 133 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 137 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 141 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 142 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 143 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 144 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 146 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 148 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 153 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 157 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 158 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 162 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 163 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 165 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 170 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 172 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 174 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 175 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 177 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 178 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 180 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 185 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 186 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 187 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 188 | Chain drive fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 190 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 191 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 192 | Handlebars damaged | <0.01% |
| 193 | Leaf spring slipper worn | <0.01% |
| 194 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 195 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 196 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 197 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 197 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Toyota Yaris MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Toyota Yaris, 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 Yaris problems?
Based on analysis of 6.6M Toyota Yaris MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 12 identified common problems across 4 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Headlamp fault". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Toyota Yaris generation has the most problems?
The Toyota Yaris XP10 (1999-2005) (1999–2005) has the highest number of identified common problems (6). 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 Yaris?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Toyota Yaris owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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