2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Toyota Corolla MOT pass rate and common faults

7,322 MOT tests in 2024. 56.6% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

100About average
Passed first time56.6%
Failed or needed repairs43.4%
Typical mileage at test103,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 7,322 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect5.7%
  2. Service brake performance: excessively binding4.6%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively4.0%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.9%
    348 marked dangerous
  5. Position lamp: not working3.5%
  6. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.9%
  7. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.8%
  8. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.7%
  9. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.4%
  10. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
    245 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics33.9%
  2. Brakes27.9%
  3. Suspension13.5%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)10.1%
  5. Body & chassis8.3%
  6. Emissions & leaks7.8%
  7. Tyres6.3%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded17.3%
  2. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened17.1%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure13.9%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine13.5%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm12.8%

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 2004 Toyota Corolla?

In 2024, 56.6% of 2004 Toyota Corolla cars passed their MOT first time, across 7,322 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 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 2004 Toyota Corolla reliable at MOT time?

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