2014 Toyota Corolla — MOT failures & pass rate
294 MOT tests on the 2014 Toyota Corolla are in this dataset, and 88.8% of them passed. Small family cars of a similar age fail 17.3% of the time, so this is 6.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 12.2% of all tests — 8.2 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, rear fog lamp and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 21 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.1% in the 0-30k band and 12.0% in the 90-120k band, a 5.1-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 10.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 13.2% in 2021 to 11.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 36 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.1% | 12 |
| 3 | Tyres | 2.7% | 8 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.7% | 8 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.7% | 8 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.4% | 7 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 21 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 10 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 9 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 8 |
| 5 | Washers | 7 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 6 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 10.5% | 31 |
| 2 | Tyres | 10.2% | 30 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 29 |
| 4 | Suspension | 9.2% | 27 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.4% | 16 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.4% | 10 |
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 | 41 | 17.1% |
| 30-60k | 88 | 8.0% |
| 60-90k | 57 | 5.3% |
| 90-120k | 50 | 12.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 196 | 10.2% |
| Petrol | 93 | 12.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 68 | 13.2% |
| 2022 | 55 | 9.1% |
| 2023 | 56 | 8.9% |
| 2024 | 63 | 12.7% |
| 2025 | 52 | 11.5% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Corolla
On a 2014 Corolla, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (4.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Tyres (2.7% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2014 Toyota Corollas pass their MOT?
88.8% of the 294 2014 Toyota Corolla MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Toyota Corolla?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.2% of tests, followed by visibility (4.1%).
Does the 2014 Corolla get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 0-30k band to 12.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 294 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.