2018 Toyota Vitz — MOT failures & pass rate
380 MOT tests on the 2018 Toyota Vitz are in this dataset, and 91.6% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 12.8% of the time, so this is 4.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.6% of tests against 3.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, linkage ball joint dust cover and tread depth — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 16 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2018 Vitz fails 5.5% of the time in the 0-30k band and 8.9% at 60-90k, a spread of only 3.4 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 13.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 4.6% of tests failed in 2023 against 11.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.6% | 29 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.2% | 12 |
| 3 | Tyres | 2.6% | 10 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.8% | 7 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.3% | 1 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.3% | 1 |
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 | 16 |
| 2 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 10 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 8 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 8 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 5 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 5 |
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 | 13.4% | 51 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.3% | 20 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.3% | 20 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.4% | 9 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 7 |
| 6 | Other defects | 1.3% | 5 |
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 | 73 | 5.5% |
| 30-60k | 187 | 8.6% |
| 60-90k | 90 | 8.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 285 | 7.4% |
| Petrol | 95 | 11.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 65 | 4.6% |
| 2024 | 123 | 3.3% |
| 2025 | 163 | 11.0% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Vitz
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 7.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (7.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (3.2% 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.
- Tyres (2.6% 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 2018 Toyota Vitzs pass their MOT?
91.6% of the 380 2018 Toyota Vitz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Toyota Vitz?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.6% of tests, followed by suspension (3.2%).
Does the 2018 Vitz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.5% in the 0-30k band to 8.9% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 380 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.