Toyota Yaris Reliability: MOT Pass Rate by Year & Engine

Verdict

The Toyota Yaris passes its MOT first time on 71.0% of tests, against 70.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. It beats 55% of cars on UK roads: about average, and better than most small hatchbacks. The Honda Jazz, Audi A1 and MINI do better; the Škoda Fabia, Hyundai i20, Ford Fiesta, VW Polo, Vauxhall Corsa and Renault Clio do worse.

It does best in middle age: at 8–12 years old it passes about 2 percentage points more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage.

Newer cars generally do better. Cars from before 2009 beat just under half of cars; 2009–2011 and 2015–2016 cars beat about two in three, and cars from 2020 on, mostly hybrids, about seven in ten, with 2021 and 2022 about eight in ten.

Better than average on steering, body and brakes. Lights and wipers are the weak spots: sidelights, headlight bulbs and wipers each fail about 1.4–1.5 times as often as on a typical car, and number plate lights nearly twice as often.

Watch these weak spots

Visibility1.3×as often as a typical car

Windscreen wipers1.5×as often as a typical car

Number plate lights1.9×as often as a typical car

Wheel bearings2.4×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

Toyota YarisTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

Beats 29%

Beats 38%

Beats 50%

Beats 53%

Beats 45%

Beats 45%

Beats 47%

Beats 47%

Beats 48%

Beats 51%

Beats 67%

Beats 63%

Beats 67%

Beats 58%

Beats 56%

Beats 56%

Beats 69%

Beats 66%

Beats 50%

Beats 49%

Beats 53%

Beats 58%

Beats 80%

Beats 79%

Beats 73%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

Engine	Years	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.3 Petrol	1999–2017	1,995,158	69.4%	Beats 57%	C
1.5 Hybrid	2012–2023	715,369	84.8%	Beats 62%	B
1.0 Petrol	1999–2020	650,860	58.9%	Beats 43%	C
1.5 Petrol	2001–2020	235,892	84.8%	Beats 60%	B
1.4 Diesel	2002–2017	217,915	61.8%	Beats 58%	C
1.8 Petrol	2007–2008	8,086	66.9%	Beats 79%	B
1.5 OT	2012–2012	1,433	76.0%	Beats 62%	B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical

Lights: 14.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics

14.4% vs 12.3%

Suspension

8.5% vs 9.6%

Visibility

6.6% vs 5.2%

Brakes

5.8% vs 7.3%

Tyres

5.0% vs 6.0%

Emissions & leaks

2.9% vs 3.4%

Body & structure

2.8% vs 3.9%

Seat belts & airbags

0.7% vs 1.2%

Steering

0.2% vs 1.9%

Wheels

0.2% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Windscreen wipers
Fail on about 1 in 26 tests, 1.5 times the typical rate. Check the blades for splits and smearing.
Lights
Sidelights fail about 1.4 times and number plate lights nearly twice as often as on a typical car. Walk around with all the lights on, including the number plate lights.
Wheel bearings
Fail about 2.4 times as often as on a typical car, on about 1 in 75 tests. Listen on the test drive for a hum or rumble that changes with speed.
Anti-roll bar bushes
On 1999–2005 cars the anti-roll bar linkage pins and bushes fail on about 1 in 27 tests, about 8.5 times the typical rate. Listen for knocks from the front over bumps.
Indicator side repeaters
On 2012–2019 cars they fail about 5 times as often as on a typical car. Put the indicators on and check the small repeaters on both sides.
Coil springs
Fail about twice as often as on a typical car on 2012–2014 cars. Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil and listen for clunks over bumps.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

Toyota YarisTypical car

Most common MOT failures

Item	This car	Typical	vs typical
Windscreen wipers	3.9%	2.6%	1.5×
Sidelights	3.9%	2.8%	1.4×
Headlight aim	3.6%	3.4%	1.0×
Headlight bulbs & units	3.1%	2.3%	1.4×
Coil springs	2.8%	2.5%	1.1×
Brake lights	2.7%	2.5%	1.1×
Tyre damage & cracking	2.4%	3.4%	0.7×
Number plate lights	2.4%	1.3%	1.9×
Windscreen washers	2.3%	2.2%	1.0×
Tyre tread depth	2.2%	2.3%	1.0×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defect	per 1,000
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen	38.3
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	35.8
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	33.2
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened	28.0
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	25.1
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen	23.4
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements	22.3
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps	20.3

Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Toyota Yaris1 engine91.6% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Hybrid	9,668	91.6%	Beats 73%	B

2022 Toyota Yaris1 engine91.9% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Hybrid	39,279	91.9%	Beats 79%	B

2021 Toyota Yaris1 engine91.2% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Hybrid	69,029	91.2%	Beats 80%	A

2020 Toyota Yaris3 engines89.0% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Hybrid	52,782	88.9%	Beats 58%	C
1.5 Petrol	25,176	89.4%	Beats 61%	B
1.0 Petrol	1,915	85.9%	Beats 18%	E

2019 Toyota Yaris3 engines87.6% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Petrol	69,609	88.1%	Beats 59%	C
1.5 Hybrid	65,885	87.2%	Beats 49%	C
1.0 Petrol	2,728	84.9%	Beats 26%	D

2018 Toyota Yaris3 engines85.9% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Hybrid	94,381	85.6%	Beats 47%	C
1.5 Petrol	66,304	86.3%	Beats 52%	C
1.0 Petrol	4,294	84.7%	Beats 38%	D

2017 Toyota Yaris5 engines84.6% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Hybrid	80,374	83.9%	Beats 42%	C
1.5 Petrol	55,123	85.4%	Beats 55%	C
1.3 Petrol	41,378	85.3%	Beats 60%	C
1.0 Petrol	5,635	83.1%	Beats 33%	D
1.4 Diesel	1,559	80.9%	Beats 67%	B

2016 Toyota Yaris4 engines84.5% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.3 Petrol	129,296	85.2%	Beats 69%	B
1.5 Hybrid	78,304	83.7%	Beats 62%	B
1.0 Petrol	10,134	83.3%	Beats 58%	C
1.4 Diesel	5,521	81.6%	Beats 77%	B

2015 Toyota Yaris4 engines83.0% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.3 Petrol report →	160,549	83.8%	Beats 73%	B
1.5 Hybrid	89,522	82.2%	Beats 64%	B
1.0 Petrol	15,882	81.3%	Beats 57%	C
1.4 Diesel	6,771	80.3%	Beats 77%	B

2014 Toyota Yaris4 engines78.1% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.3 Petrol	165,185	78.0%	Beats 51%	C
1.5 Hybrid	68,855	79.7%	Beats 67%	B
1.4 Diesel	11,972	71.6%	Beats 40%	C
1.0 Petrol	9,660	76.6%	Beats 41%	C

2013 Toyota Yaris4 engines74.9% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.3 Petrol	182,582	74.7%	Beats 52%	C
1.5 Hybrid	46,780	78.4%	Beats 77%	B
1.0 Petrol	13,924	70.3%	Beats 28%	D
1.4 Diesel	10,845	69.0%	Beats 48%	C

2012 Toyota Yaris5 engines72.4% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.3 Petrol	185,505	72.7%	Beats 58%	C
1.5 Hybrid	20,510	74.9%	Beats 69%	B
1.0 Petrol	20,139	69.2%	Beats 38%	D
1.4 Diesel	12,731	68.3%	Beats 61%	B
1.5 OT	1,433	76.0%	Beats 62%	B

2011 Toyota Yaris3 engines72.2% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.3 Petrol	120,515	72.7%	Beats 68%	B
1.0 Petrol	13,417	70.4%	Beats 60%	B
1.4 Diesel	9,076	68.2%	Beats 68%	B

2010 Toyota Yaris3 engines67.9% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.3 Petrol	123,679	68.9%	Beats 65%	B
1.0 Petrol	27,839	66.6%	Beats 56%	C
1.4 Diesel	15,718	62.6%	Beats 58%	C

2009 Toyota Yaris3 engines67.6% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.3 Petrol	155,187	68.5%	Beats 70%	B
1.0 Petrol	50,658	66.8%	Beats 63%	B
1.4 Diesel	15,687	60.9%	Beats 58%	C

2008 Toyota Yaris4 engines60.3% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.3 Petrol	134,064	61.1%	Beats 51%	C
1.4 Diesel	39,470	59.3%	Beats 57%	C
1.0 Petrol	31,696	57.7%	Beats 39%	D
1.8 Petrol	3,268	68.0%	Beats 80%	A

2007 Toyota Yaris4 engines58.7% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.3 Petrol	130,997	59.5%	Beats 48%	C
1.0 Petrol	34,504	55.2%	Beats 34%	D
1.4 Diesel	29,848	58.1%	Beats 56%	C
1.8 Petrol	4,818	66.1%	Beats 79%	B

2006 Toyota Yaris3 engines57.2% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.3 Petrol	98,590	57.4%	Beats 46%	C
1.0 Petrol	56,089	57.1%	Beats 48%	C
1.4 Diesel	18,540	56.3%	Beats 55%	C

2005 Toyota Yaris4 engines56.5% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.3 Petrol	103,104	56.9%	Beats 47%	C
1.0 Petrol	59,694	55.4%	Beats 42%	C
1.4 Diesel	14,410	56.3%	Beats 60%	C
1.5 Petrol	3,767	65.9%	Beats 83%	A

2004 Toyota Yaris4 engines54.7% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.3 Petrol	75,473	56.3%	Beats 48%	C
1.0 Petrol	67,541	52.9%	Beats 38%	D
1.4 Diesel	11,951	51.5%	Beats 48%	C
1.5 Petrol	4,096	62.6%	Beats 78%	B

2003 Toyota Yaris4 engines54.2% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	72,233	52.7%	Beats 40%	C
1.3 Petrol	59,948	55.4%	Beats 46%	C
1.4 Diesel	8,648	55.4%	Beats 61%	B
1.5 Petrol	3,902	60.5%	Beats 73%	B

2002 Toyota Yaris4 engines56.0% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	59,430	53.3%	Beats 44%	C
1.3 Petrol	52,270	59.0%	Beats 60%	B
1.4 Diesel	5,168	56.0%	Beats 62%	B
1.5 Petrol	3,965	57.6%	Beats 64%	B

2001 Toyota Yaris3 engines55.5% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	47,210	53.2%	Beats 42%	C
1.3 Petrol	46,657	57.7%	Beats 56%	C
1.5 Petrol	3,950	57.4%	Beats 63%	B

2000 Toyota Yaris2 engines53.2% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	28,157	50.6%	Beats 30%	D
1.3 Petrol	27,779	55.9%	Beats 47%	C

1999 Toyota Yaris2 engines51.4% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.0 Petrol	18,081	51.0%	Beats 28%	D
1.3 Petrol	2,400	54.0%	Beats 36%	D

FAQ

What is the Toyota Yaris MOT pass rate?

71.0% of Toyota Yaris MOT tests were passed first time, from 3.8 million tests. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 70.2%.

Is the Toyota Yaris reliable?

On MOT results it is about average overall and above average for a small hatchback: it beats 55% of cars on UK roads, and newer cars generally do better. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Toyota Yaris years are best?

Cars from 2020 on beat about seven in ten cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account, and 2021 and 2022 about eight in ten. Among older cars, 2015 does best, beating nearly seven in ten, with 2009, 2011 and 2016 close behind.

Which Toyota Yaris years should I avoid?

1999 and 2000 cars do worst, beating about three and four in ten cars; cars from before 2009 as a whole beat just under half. On 1999–2005 cars the anti-roll bar bushes fail about 8.5 times as often as on a typical car.

Which Toyota Yaris engine is best?

The 1.5 hybrid beats about six in ten cars, and about seven in ten in cars from 2020 on. The 1.5 petrol does about as well; the 1.3 petrol and 1.4 diesel sit just above the middle, and the 1.0 petrol does worst, beating just over four in ten.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Toyota Yaris?

Windscreen wipers and sidelights (each about 1 in 26 tests), headlight aim and headlight bulbs.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.

Toyota Yaris reliability

Verdict

Watch these weak spots

MOT pass rate by age

Best and worst years

Engines

Where it fails

Every MOT area

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Pass rate by mileage

Most common MOT failures

Specific defects found

Every year and engine

FAQ