2009 · 15 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2009 Toyota Corolla MOT pass rate and common faults

1,281 MOT tests in 2024. 61.6% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

105Above average
Passed first time61.6%
Failed or needed repairs38.4%
Typical mileage at test113,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,281 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working10.6%
  2. Stop lamp: not working4.4%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.4%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.9%
    48 marked dangerous
  5. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.4%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
    38 marked dangerous
  7. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.0%
  8. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics32.3%
  2. Brakes11.5%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.2%
  4. Emissions & leaks8.0%
  5. Suspension7.4%
  6. Tyres6.6%
  7. Body & chassis5.2%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.0%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.6%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded11.1%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.9%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.2%

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: position lamp: not working. 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 2009 Toyota Corolla?

In 2024, 61.6% of 2009 Toyota Corolla cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,281 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Toyota Corolla?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; stop lamp: not working; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2009 Toyota Corolla reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 105, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).