2006 Toyota Yaris — MOT failures & pass rate
120,027 MOT tests on the 2006 Toyota Yaris are in this dataset, and 74.6% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 28.4% of the time, so this is 3.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.3% of tests against 11.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and position lamp — headlamp alone was recorded 11,908 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.0% versus 14.4%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 25.4% of the time against 26.1% for diesel.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.3% | 25,586 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.3% | 13,550 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.1% | 8,560 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.7% | 8,022 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.1% | 7,361 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.8% | 6,963 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 11,908 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 11,327 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 8,853 |
| 4 | Wipers | 6,109 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 5,562 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 5,065 |
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 | 34.4% | 41,284 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.3% | 36,366 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.3% | 32,817 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.0% | 25,165 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.6% | 22,377 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.6% | 19,961 |
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 | 2,678 | 14.4% |
| 30-60k | 18,415 | 20.3% |
| 60-90k | 37,974 | 24.5% |
| 90-120k | 35,291 | 27.2% |
| 120-150k | 17,723 | 28.8% |
| 150k+ | 7,908 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 107,252 | 25.4% |
| Diesel | 12,772 | 26.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 27,754 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 25,960 | 25.1% |
| 2023 | 24,249 | 25.2% |
| 2024 | 22,350 | 26.0% |
| 2025 | 19,714 | 25.8% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Yaris
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 21.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (21.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.3% 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 (7.1% 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 2006 Toyota Yariss pass their MOT?
74.6% of the 120,027 2006 Toyota Yaris MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Toyota Yaris?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.3% of tests, followed by suspension (11.3%).
Does the 2006 Yaris get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.4% in the 0-30k band to 30.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 120,027 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.