2017 Toyota Noah — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 296 MOT tests, the 2017 Toyota Noah recorded an 89.2% pass rate. That is 3.0 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 13.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.5% of tests against 3.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, position lamp and wipers — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 18 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.7% in the 0-30k band and 20.6% in the 120-150k band, a 14.9-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 17.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 20.0% in 2021 to 5.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 28 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.4% | 10 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.4% | 10 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.4% | 7 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.0% | 6 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.4% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 18 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 8 |
| 3 | Wipers | 8 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 7 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 7 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 7 |
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 | 17.6% | 52 |
| 2 | Tyres | 13.5% | 40 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.2% | 33 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.1% | 24 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.7% | 14 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.0% | 12 |
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 | 35 | 5.7% |
| 30-60k | 81 | 4.9% |
| 60-90k | 68 | 11.8% |
| 90-120k | 50 | 18.0% |
| 120-150k | 34 | 20.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 150 | 4.0% |
| Petrol | 146 | 17.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 35 | 20.0% |
| 2022 | 37 | 24.3% |
| 2023 | 50 | 12.0% |
| 2024 | 58 | 6.9% |
| 2025 | 116 | 5.2% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Noah
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 9.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (9.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (3.4% 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.
- Visibility (3.4% 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.
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 2017 Toyota Noahs pass their MOT?
89.2% of the 296 2017 Toyota Noah MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Toyota Noah?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.5% of tests, followed by suspension (3.4%).
Does the 2017 Noah get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.7% in the 0-30k band to 20.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 296 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.