2021 Toyota Yaris — MOT failures & pass rate
55,553 MOT tests on the 2021 Toyota Yaris are in this dataset, and 95.3% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail 7.8% of the time, so this is 3.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.0%) and visibility (2.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and washers — wipers alone was recorded 1,319 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 20.6% versus 3.9%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 18.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 13.6% in 2021 to 5.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.0% | 1,663 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.8% | 1,544 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 805 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.5% | 307 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.3% | 178 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.1% | 57 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 1,319 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 636 |
| 3 | Washers | 565 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 488 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 300 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 172 |
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 | 18.8% | 10,457 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.9% | 3,807 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.6% | 2,553 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.7% | 1,504 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.3% | 702 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.4% | 231 |
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 | 41,594 | 3.9% |
| 30-60k | 12,599 | 6.4% |
| 60-90k | 1,139 | 8.9% |
| 90-120k | 169 | 16.6% |
| 120-150k | 34 | 20.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 55,327 | 4.6% |
| Petrol | 222 | 12.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 59 | 13.6% |
| 2022 | 56 | 8.9% |
| 2023 | 1,113 | 4.9% |
| 2024 | 26,915 | 4.1% |
| 2025 | 27,410 | 5.1% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Yaris
On a 2021 Yaris, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.0% 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.
- Visibility (2.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2021 Toyota Yariss pass their MOT?
95.3% of the 55,553 2021 Toyota Yaris MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 4.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Toyota Yaris?
Tyres, recorded in 3.0% of tests, followed by visibility (2.8%).
Does the 2021 Yaris get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.9% in the 0-30k band to 20.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 55,553 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.