1996 · 28 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1996 Toyota Corolla MOT pass rate and common faults

174 MOT tests in 2024. 67.8% passed first time, compared with 66.2% for all cars the same age.

102Above average
Passed first time67.8%
Failed or needed repairs32.2%
Typical mileage at test94,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 174 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength6.3%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.2%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively5.2%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.0%
    24 marked dangerous
  5. Position lamp: not working4.0%
  6. Stop lamp: not working3.4%
  7. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.9%
  8. Service brake imbalance: across an axle2.9%
  9. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.3%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics20.1%
  2. Suspension16.1%
  3. Brakes10.9%
  4. Body & chassis10.3%
  5. Tyres8.6%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.3%
  7. Emissions & leaks5.2%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.1%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine14.4%
  3. Registration plates: inscription illegible12.1%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded11.5%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases9.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 Toyota Corolla?

In 2024, 67.8% of 1996 Toyota Corolla cars passed their MOT first time, across 174 tests. The average for all 28-year-old cars was 66.2%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1996 Toyota Corolla?

The most common failure reasons were component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1996 Toyota Corolla reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 102, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).