2011 Toyota Vitz — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,158 MOT tests, the 2011 Toyota Vitz recorded an 86.9% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (24.2% fail rate), the 2011 Vitz comes out 11.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 10.4% of all tests — 4.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, linkage ball joint dust cover and ball joint dust cover — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 69 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 20.0% once past 90-120k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 17.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 2.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 120 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.4% | 63 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.0% | 35 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.8% | 32 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.7% | 31 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.6% | 7 |
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 | 69 |
| 2 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 44 |
| 3 | Ball joint dust cover | 32 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 30 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 25 |
| 6 | Wipers | 24 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 17.6% | 204 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.1% | 128 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 104 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.2% | 95 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.1% | 47 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.5% | 29 |
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 | 163 | 11.7% |
| 30-60k | 569 | 11.9% |
| 60-90k | 370 | 14.6% |
| 90-120k | 50 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 34 | 2.9% |
| 2022 | 154 | 5.8% |
| 2023 | 249 | 9.2% |
| 2024 | 347 | 15.3% |
| 2025 | 374 | 17.6% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Vitz
On a 2011 Vitz, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.4% 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 (3.0% 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 2011 Toyota Vitzs pass their MOT?
86.9% of the 1,158 2011 Toyota Vitz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Toyota Vitz?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.4% of tests, followed by suspension (5.4%).
Does the 2011 Vitz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.7% in the 0-30k band to 20.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,158 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.