Comparison · family hatchbacks

Ford Focus vs Toyota Corolla: which is more reliable?

The Toyota Corolla does better at the MOT, with a score of 103 against 99 for the Ford Focus, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 1,003,214 real MOT tests in 2024.

Ford Focus

99About average
MOT tests893,948

Toyota Corolla

103Above average
MOT tests109,266

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testFord FocusToyota Corolla
3–5 years
100About average
103Above average
6–9 years
103Above average
–
10–14 years
96Below average
–
15+ years
97Below average
104Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearFord FocusToyota Corolla
202188.3%89.3%
202087.8%89.1%
201983.7%88.5%
200956.8%61.6%
200855.6%61.2%
200757.4%59.5%
200657.0%60.5%
200554.0%59.6%
200452.0%56.6%
200352.5%56.8%
200253.1%56.9%
200153.4%62.4%
200052.8%62.6%
199950.3%60.5%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaFord FocusToyota Corolla
Lights & electrics21.018.2
Brakes7.511.6
Suspension12.65.6
Tyres8.85.8
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.66.5
Emissions & leaks4.63.4
Body & chassis3.63.4
Steering1.50.5

Ford Focus: top failures

  1. Position lamp: not working3.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.8%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.7%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.0%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.5%

Toyota Corolla: top failures

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.2%
  2. Position lamp: not working2.8%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.1%
  4. Stop lamp: not working1.8%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.6%
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.5%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Ford Focus or the Toyota Corolla?

The Toyota Corolla does better at the MOT, with a score of 103 against 99 for the Ford Focus, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla can be compared?

Both were tested for 14 registration years (1999–2021). The Ford Focus had the higher pass rate in 0 of them and the Toyota Corolla in 14.

What fails most on each?

Ford Focus: position lamp: not working; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Toyota Corolla: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; position lamp: not working.