1998 Toyota Corolla — MOT failures & pass rate
7,630 MOT tests on the 1998 Toyota Corolla are in this dataset, and 72.8% of them passed. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 27.0%, so the 1998 Corolla sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (13.0%) and lighting & signalling (11.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and joints — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 841 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 12.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 34.9% once past 150k — 2.7× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.0% | 994 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.5% | 878 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.6% | 730 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.3% | 710 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.8% | 595 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.1% | 463 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 841 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 604 |
| 3 | Joints | 469 |
| 4 | Wipers | 386 |
| 5 | Service brake imbalance | 360 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 337 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 37.6% | 2,872 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.9% | 2,128 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.6% | 1,650 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.9% | 1,519 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 18.0% | 1,372 |
| 6 | Other defects | 17.5% | 1,336 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 93 | 12.9% |
| 30-60k | 810 | 19.3% |
| 60-90k | 2,331 | 24.3% |
| 90-120k | 2,290 | 27.3% |
| 120-150k | 1,310 | 33.7% |
| 150k+ | 791 | 34.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 7,443 | 27.3% |
| Diesel | 187 | 26.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,196 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 1,806 | 27.7% |
| 2023 | 1,477 | 26.6% |
| 2024 | 1,172 | 26.5% |
| 2025 | 979 | 28.3% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Corolla
On a 1998 Corolla, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (13.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (11.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.6% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1998 Toyota Corollas pass their MOT?
72.8% of the 7,630 1998 Toyota Corolla MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Toyota Corolla?
Suspension, recorded in 13.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.5%).
Does the 1998 Corolla get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.9% in the 0-30k band to 34.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,630 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.