2003 Toyota Yaris — MOT failures & pass rate
88,525 MOT tests on the 2003 Toyota Yaris are in this dataset, and 73.0% of them passed. That is 2.4 percentage points better than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 29.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 22.1% of all tests — 11.0 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and stop lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 9,760 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 31.4% versus 16.0%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 26.9% of the time against 27.3% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 44.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.1% | 19,612 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.2% | 9,870 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.8% | 9,525 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.4% | 6,543 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.2% | 4,639 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 4,348 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 9,760 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 8,060 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 5,815 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 5,703 |
| 5 | Wipers | 4,716 |
| 6 | Linkage pins and bushes | 4,418 |
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 | 44.5% | 39,381 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.6% | 24,444 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.8% | 23,710 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.2% | 18,728 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.8% | 14,003 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.5% | 12,839 |
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 | 2,215 | 16.0% |
| 30-60k | 13,973 | 20.9% |
| 60-90k | 26,553 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 24,927 | 28.6% |
| 120-150k | 13,840 | 31.1% |
| 150k+ | 6,934 | 31.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 83,554 | 26.9% |
| Diesel | 4,971 | 27.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 23,349 | 26.9% |
| 2022 | 20,254 | 26.9% |
| 2023 | 17,523 | 26.6% |
| 2024 | 15,009 | 27.2% |
| 2025 | 12,390 | 27.2% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Yaris
On a 2003 Yaris, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 22.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (22.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.2% 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.
- Brakes (10.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2003 Toyota Yariss pass their MOT?
73.0% of the 88,525 2003 Toyota Yaris MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Toyota Yaris?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.1% of tests, followed by suspension (11.2%).
Does the 2003 Yaris get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.0% in the 0-30k band to 31.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 88,525 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.