2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Toyota Corolla MOT pass rate and common faults

5,427 MOT tests in 2024. 56.8% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

99About average
Passed first time56.8%
Failed or needed repairs43.3%
Typical mileage at test101,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 5,427 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect6.2%
  2. Service brake performance: excessively binding4.4%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively4.1%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.6%
    243 marked dangerous
  5. Position lamp: not working3.4%
  6. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.4%
  7. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam3.1%
  8. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.9%
  9. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.5%
  10. Stop lamp: not working2.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics35.8%
  2. Brakes26.7%
  3. Suspension14.1%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)9.5%
  5. Emissions & leaks8.4%
  6. Body & chassis7.3%
  7. Tyres6.6%
  8. Seat belts & airbags2.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm14.5%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded14.4%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine14.2%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure13.5%
  5. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened13.3%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. 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 2003 Toyota Corolla?

In 2024, 56.8% of 2003 Toyota Corolla cars passed their MOT first time, across 5,427 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Toyota Corolla?

The most common failure reasons were headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; service brake performance: excessively binding; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Toyota Corolla reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 99, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).