2014 Toyota Yaris — MOT failures & pass rate
169,428 MOT tests on the 2014 Toyota Yaris are in this dataset, and 85.0% of them passed. That is 4.4 percentage points better than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 19.5%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.4%) and suspension (7.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, position lamp and headlamp — coil spring alone was recorded 9,157 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.3% in the 0-30k band and 21.7% in the 150k+ band, a 12.3-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 5.4pp more often than hybrid ones (19.3% vs 13.9%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 13.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.4% | 14,276 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.0% | 11,830 |
| 3 | Visibility | 4.2% | 7,046 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.0% | 6,774 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.0% | 5,037 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.5% | 776 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 9,157 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 4,602 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 4,314 |
| 4 | Wipers | 3,798 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 3,617 |
| 6 | Washers | 3,220 |
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 | 24.7% | 41,880 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.2% | 30,909 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.0% | 20,384 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 7.2% | 12,251 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.4% | 10,785 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.2% | 5,476 |
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 | 27,404 | 9.3% |
| 30-60k | 77,451 | 13.9% |
| 60-90k | 45,713 | 18.1% |
| 90-120k | 14,128 | 20.7% |
| 120-150k | 3,375 | 20.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,347 | 21.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 116,046 | 15.2% |
| Hybrid | 45,058 | 13.9% |
| Diesel | 8,269 | 19.3% |
| Other | 39 | 12.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 33,258 | 13.2% |
| 2022 | 33,474 | 13.9% |
| 2023 | 33,894 | 15.5% |
| 2024 | 33,907 | 15.2% |
| 2025 | 34,895 | 17.4% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Yaris
On a 2014 Yaris, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.0% 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 (4.2% 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 2014 Toyota Yariss pass their MOT?
85.0% of the 169,428 2014 Toyota Yaris MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Toyota Yaris?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.4% of tests, followed by suspension (7.0%).
Does the 2014 Yaris get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.3% in the 0-30k band to 21.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 169,428 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.