TOYOTA YARIS Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 40,089 MOT tests from 2,890 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every TOYOTA YARIS has the same fault.

TOYOTA YARIS's have a very good reliability rating of 628/999. The score was calculated from the average of every TOYOTA YARIS that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the TOYOTA YARIS.

TOYOTA YARIS (example)

Check the reliability of your Toyota Yaris

Enter your registration to see the MOT history for this car.

Service history
Dealer & service records
MOT records
Past & current MOT data
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Finance check
Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel

Year

Reliability score

Avg mileage

Sample size

Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
Hybrid Electric	2019	855/999Excellent	100,514 miles	6,858 vehicles
Petrol	2019	842/999Excellent	77,720 miles	6,678 vehicles
Hybrid Electric	2018	833/999Excellent	90,999 miles	9,438 vehicles
Petrol	2016	822/999Excellent	75,972 miles	11,075 vehicles
Diesel	2015	682/999Good	81,370 miles	750 vehicles
Hybrid Electric	2015	784/999Very good	90,922 miles	8,261 vehicles
Petrol	2015	783/999Very good	89,703 miles	13,294 vehicles
Petrol	2014	746/999Very good	91,288 miles	14,703 vehicles
Diesel	2013	648/999Good	77,964 miles	973 vehicles
Petrol	2013	669/999Good	82,247 miles	17,327 vehicles
Diesel	2012	631/999Good	76,145 miles	1,223 vehicles
Hybrid Electric	2012	692/999Good	75,982 miles	4,166 vehicles
Petrol	2012	634/999Good	79,772 miles	10,120 vehicles
Diesel	2010	521/999Above average	79,435 miles	1,218 vehicles
Petrol	2009	603/999Good	79,546 miles	6,652 vehicles
Diesel	2008	517/999Above average	80,470 miles	1,536 vehicles
Petrol	2008	530/999Above average	87,484 miles	7,999 vehicles
Diesel	2004	460/999Average	80,190 miles	1,063 vehicles
Petrol	2003	461/999Average	83,355 miles	10,859 vehicles
Diesel	2002	465/999Average	96,142 miles	920 vehicles
Petrol	2002	459/999Average	82,786 miles	10,530 vehicles
Petrol	2001	464/999Average	79,721 miles	11,535 vehicles
Petrol	2000	471/999Average	79,263 miles	11,465 vehicles
Petrol	1999	507/999Above average	78,615 miles	716 vehicles

How reliable is the TOYOTA YARIS?

Based on 40,089 MOT tests from 2,890 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

2,890

MOT tests

40,089

Pass rate

79%

Median mileage

75,462 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every TOYOTA YARIS has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 654 out of 999.

Common TOYOTA YARIS MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 6,466 advisory comments and 455 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Corrosion

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 1,796 advisory comments and 98 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 560 advisory comments and 758 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 698 advisory comments and 100 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 699 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 529 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 525 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 507 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: FRONT REGISTRATION PLATE DETERIORATED BUT NOT LIKELY TO BE MISREAD (0.1 (B))

TOYOTA YARIS MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2026	16	1	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025	14	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	21	2	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	55	53	90.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2022	48	103	91.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2021	101	308	88%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2020	84	328	86%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2019	78	438	88.8%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2018	98	671	86.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2017	97	754	86.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2016	139	1233	84.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	193	1871	83.7%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2014	190	2086	82.5%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013	228	2896	79.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2012	265	3867	77.5%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2011	161	2491	80%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2010	158	2767	78.4%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2009	192	3504	79.5%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2008	174	3609	75%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2007	151	3243	76.6%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2006	111	2446	77.3%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2005	87	2076	76.3%	Tyre wear, Anti-roll bar issues
2004	52	1287	76.8%	Tyre wear, Anti-roll bar issues
2003	55	1405	75.4%	Tyre wear, Anti-roll bar issues
2002	42	1087	78.1%	Anti-roll bar issues, Tyre wear
2001	24	596	76.2%	Anti-roll bar issues, Tyre wear
2000	9	205	82.9%	Anti-roll bar issues, Coil spring issues

What to check when buying a used TOYOTA YARIS

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Buying a TOYOTA YARIS?

Common problems tell you what can affect TOYOTA YARISs generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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