MOT fail rates by first-use year
1998 Toyota Corolla MOT fail rate and common faults
How Toyota Corolla cars first used in 1998 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2023, against all cars of the same age. From 2,596 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 25 years, tested in 2023
What stands out
- In 2023, at 25 years old, Toyota Corolla cars first used in 1998 failed 41.2% of MOTs (1,175 tests), 4.9 points above the 36.3% for all cars that age.
- From 2022 to 2023, as these cars went from 24 to 25 years old, the fail rate moved from 42.2% to 41.2%.
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the Toyota Corolla at 25 years, is component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength, at 4.9 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 4.2).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 24 years | 42.2% | 1,421 | 37.8% | +4.4 pts |
| 2023 | 25 years | 41.2% | 1,175 | 36.3% | +4.9 pts |
Most common faults at 25 years
These figures cover all Toyota Corolla MOTs (first used before 2019) at 25 years: cars first used 1997 to 2000, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=3,994). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.
MOT fail items
| Fail item | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Wipers not clearing screen Wear | 5.4 | 3.1 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 4.9 | 4.2 |
| Side/position light not working Wear | 4.2 | 3.4 |
| Driveshaft CV boot split | 4.0 | 2.2 |
| Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | 3.9 | 2.2 |
| Brake light not working Wear | 3.8 | 2.6 |
| Service brake imbalance: across an axle | 3.4 | 1.6 |
| Anti-roll bar link worn | 3.1 | 0.5 |
| Shock absorber leaking | 3.0 | 0.8 |
| Tyre tread below 1.6 mm Wear | 2.9 | 1.4 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=3,994). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear | 17.0 | 10.1 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 16.2 | 14.9 |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Wear | 11.9 | 5.6 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear | 11.2 | 9.1 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 10.7 | 14.1 |
| Shock absorber misting oil | 8.5 | 2.8 |
| Anti-roll bar link ball joint: slight play | 7.8 | 1.4 |
| Coil spring: corroded | 7.7 | 6.4 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | 7.2 | 5.3 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive | 5.8 | 4.2 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=3,994). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 25 years
These figures cover all Toyota Corolla MOTs (first used before 2019) at 25 years: cars first used 1997 to 2000, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=3,994). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Fuel | Share of tests | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars, same fuel | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 100.0% | 39.6% | 3,927 | 35.2% | 94,616 miles |
Fail rate by mileage at 25 years
These figures cover all Toyota Corolla MOTs (first used before 2019) at 25 years: cars first used 1997 to 2000, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=3,994). At 25 years, Toyota Corolla cars at 90,000 to 120,000 miles failed more often (41.5%, n=1,171) than those at 60,000 to 90,000 miles (35.5%, n=1,167). Bands with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Mileage at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60,000 to 90,000 miles | 35.5% | 1,167 | 35.4% |
| 90,000 to 120,000 miles | 41.5% | 1,171 | 38.4% |
Car tax rules for a 1998 car
- Cars first registered before 1 March 2001 are taxed by engine size: one annual rate for engines up to 1,549cc and a higher rate above that.
These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check
ULEZ and clean air zones
- Petrol cars first registered before 2001 usually do not meet Euro 4, so they usually pay the ULEZ daily charge.
- Diesel cars first registered before September 2015 usually do not meet Euro 6, so a 1998 diesel usually pays the ULEZ daily charge. A few models met Euro 6 early.
- The clean air zones in Birmingham and Bristol use the same Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards. The low emission zones in Scotland use them too, but enforce them with fines, not a daily charge.
The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker
Other years of the Toyota Corolla
More on the Toyota Corolla
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 1998 Toyota Corolla cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.
Source
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources
Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.