Common problems by part
Toyota Corolla suspension problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 74,372 MOT tests · Updated
At 3 years, 0.1 in 100 MOT tests of the Toyota Corolla failed on suspension, against 0.6 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 74,372 MOT tests) [1].
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- Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 99 MOT tests with a fail
- By age: seen at 4 ages from 3 to 6 years, 181,405 MOT tests
- MOT tests at 3 years: 74,372 for the Toyota Corolla
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
0.1 fails per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.6 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 3 (all test years). That is about average.
Why it matters
A suspension fail stops the car passing until it is fixed.
What to check
Push down hard on each corner: it should rise once and settle. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and look behind each wheel for snapped springs or split rubber bushes.
Toyota Corolla suspension fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 74,372 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
| 4 | 55,075 | 0.2 | 0.9 |
| 5 | 35,422 | 0.5 | 1.6 |
| 6 | 16,536 | 0.9 | 2.9 |
All first-use years of the Toyota Corolla pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years.
What fails in the suspension at 3 years
Advisories (not fails)
- Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement: 0.2 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.4. Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement MOT advisory
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil: 0.1 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 1.0. Shock absorber has light misting of oil MOT advisory
Buying a Toyota Corolla? Check that exact car before the viewing.
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- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
By engine and fuel
- 1.8 hybrid: 0.1 per 100 at 3 years, about average for hybrid class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 59,022 MOT tests)
How to check on a test drive
Push down hard on each corner: it should rise once and settle. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and look behind each wheel for snapped springs or split rubber bushes.
The most common advisory here in MOT records: Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement.
Check one Toyota Corolla, not the average
The figures here describe Toyota Corolla cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.
- Check a Toyota Corolla's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- MOT advisory checker Paste an advisory or defect to read DVSA's wording, its grade and what tends to happen at the next MOT.
Other Toyota Corolla problems
Suspension on rival models
- Volkswagen Golf suspension problems: 0.7 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.1 for the Toyota Corolla (151,306 MOT tests)
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class suspension problems: 0.4 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.1 for the Toyota Corolla (141,475 MOT tests)
- Ford Focus suspension problems: 0.5 per 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.1 for the Toyota Corolla (134,403 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the Toyota Corolla have more suspension problems than other cars?
0.1 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years, against 0.6 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 74,372 MOT tests).
How common are Toyota Corolla suspension problems?
0.1 in 100 MOT tests at 3 years failed on suspension, against 0.6 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 74,372 MOT tests).
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 181,405 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare