2023 Toyota Yaris — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2023 Toyota Yaris passed 96.9% of its 2,193 recorded MOT tests. Superminis of a similar age fail 5.1% of the time, so this is 2.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (2.0%) and tyres (1.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, wipers and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 42 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 2.5% in the 0-30k band and 11.6% in the 60-90k band, a 9.2-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 8.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 2.0% | 43 |
| 2 | Tyres | 1.7% | 38 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.2% | 27 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.7% | 16 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.4% | 8 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.2% | 4 |
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 | 42 |
| 2 | Wipers | 21 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 18 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 16 |
| 5 | Washers | 12 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 7 |
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 | 8.5% | 187 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.8% | 62 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.5% | 55 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.9% | 41 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.4% | 31 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.6% | 14 |
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 | 1,832 | 2.5% |
| 30-60k | 310 | 5.2% |
| 60-90k | 43 | 11.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 73 | 4.1% |
| 2025 | 2,105 | 3.0% |
What to check before buying a 2023 Yaris
On a 2023 Yaris, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 2.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (2.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (1.7% 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 (1.2% 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 2023 Toyota Yariss pass their MOT?
96.9% of the 2,193 2023 Toyota Yaris MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 3.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Toyota Yaris?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 2.0% of tests, followed by tyres (1.7%).
Does the 2023 Yaris get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.5% in the 0-30k band to 11.6% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,193 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.