2008 Toyota Yaris — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 149,046 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Toyota Yaris, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 75.9% was above the average for superminis of a similar age (73.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 28.0% in the 150k+ group versus 13.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 24,475 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.4% | 18,491 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.7% | 9,988 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.0% | 8,926 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.2% | 7,766 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.0% | 7,504 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 9,853 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 7,236 |
| 3 | Wipers | 6,607 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 6,490 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 6,241 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 6,221 |
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 | 33.9% | 50,574 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.8% | 44,375 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.0% | 40,224 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.1% | 25,465 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.1% | 24,032 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.9% | 11,835 |
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 | 4,056 | 13.2% |
| 30-60k | 26,474 | 18.8% |
| 60-90k | 49,750 | 23.7% |
| 90-120k | 41,114 | 26.4% |
| 120-150k | 18,976 | 27.5% |
| 150k+ | 8,640 | 28.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 121,016 | 23.9% |
| Diesel | 28,029 | 24.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 31,798 | 23.3% |
| 2022 | 31,131 | 23.2% |
| 2023 | 30,310 | 24.2% |
| 2024 | 28,843 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 26,964 | 25.3% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Yaris
Before buying a 2008 Toyota Yaris, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 16.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.4% 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.
- Brakes (6.7% 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 2008 Toyota Yariss pass their MOT?
75.9% of the 149,046 2008 Toyota Yaris MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Toyota Yaris?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by suspension (12.4%).
Does the 2008 Yaris get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.2% in the 0-30k band to 28.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 149,046 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.