What are the common problems with the 15+ year old Toyota Corolla?

The top failure areas for the 15+-year-old Toyota Corolla are: Lamps & Electrics (10.7% risk), Brakes (7.3% risk), Suspension (4.5% risk).

Toyota Corolla MOT Failure Rate — 15+ Years Old

Q: Is a 15+ year old Toyota Corolla reliable?

Based on 230,127 MOT tests, 15+-year-old Toyota Corolla has a 39.5% failure rate. This is above the UK average of 28%.

39.5%

MOT failure rate for 15+-year-old Toyota Corolla vehicles

Based on 230,127 MOT tests

11.5pp above the UK average (28%)

This model shows significant deterioration in this age bracket, with a 39.5% failure rate. Pre-MOT inspection strongly recommended, especially for lamps & electrics.

Component Risk Breakdown (15+ Years)

Which parts of a 15+-year-old Toyota Corolla are most likely to cause an MOT failure:

Lamps & Electrics 10.7%

Brakes 7.3%

Suspension 4.5%

Visibility 4.0%

Tyres 2.9%

Body & Chassis 2.9%

Steering 0.4%

How Does This Compare?

Toyota Corolla MOT failure rate across all age groups:

Age	Failure Rate	Tests	Worst Area
0-2 years	9.2%	65,142	Tyres
3-5 years	10.9%	74,708	Tyres
6-10 years	20.5%	716	Lamps & Electrics
11-15 years	34.1%	69,718	Lamps & Electrics
15+ years	39.5%	230,127	Lamps & Electrics

Check Your Specific Toyota Corolla

Enter your reg to see if your Toyota Corolla is at risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 15+ year old Toyota Corolla reliable?

15+-year-old Toyota Corolla vehicles have a 39.5% failure rate, which is above average. Consider a pre-MOT inspection, particularly checking lamps & electrics.

What are the common MOT failures on a 15+ year old Toyota Corolla?

The most common MOT failure areas at this age are:

Lamps & Electrics — 10.7% failure risk
Brakes — 7.3% failure risk
Suspension — 4.5% failure risk

How can I prepare my Toyota Corolla for its MOT?

For a 15+-year-old Toyota Corolla, focus on: (1) Lamps & Electrics — the most common failure area at this age. (2) Check all lights and bulbs. (3) Inspect tyres for tread depth and damage. (4) Consider a pre-MOT check at a local garage (£20–£40). You can also use our free prediction tool for a personalised risk breakdown.

Other Toyota Corolla Age Groups

← Back to Toyota Corolla overview

Data methodology: Failure rates are weighted averages across all mileage bands for the 15+-year age group, calculated from official DVSA MOT test records. Only combinations with 100+ tests are included. Data covers 142 million MOT tests across the UK.

Check Your Toyota Corolla

Enter your registration to get a personalised MOT failure prediction based on your exact vehicle.

Check Your MOT Risk Free