CARMOTIQ Model Research Report
Toyota Verso
2016–2021
The Toyota Verso MOT pass rate for cars first registered 2016–2021 is 85% across 44,126 official UK DVSA tests. The Verso rarely wins style points in UK road tests, but it earns respect as a trustworthy family hauler with clever seating and sensible running costs. That is the reputation most buyers carry onto the forecourt. Carmotiq’s DVSA extract for 2016–2021 examples tells a sharper story on numbers: an 85% MOT pass rate over 44,126 tests, with routine upkeep — especially tyres — doing far more of the heavy lifting than design-level faults.
Unlike a registration check, this report analyses how thousands of similar Toyota Verso models have performed at MOT over time—not just one vehicle.
Report Dataset
- Official UK DVSA MOT tests analysed
- 44,126
- Recorded defect notes
- 63,713
- Registration era
- 2016–2021
- Coverage
- United Kingdom
- Snapshot
- 17 August 2026
- Research method
- Aggregated model-level MOT analysis
MOT pass rate
85%
of MOT tests passed
MOT tests analysed
44,126
Defect notes recorded
63,713
Key Findings
Toyota Verso (2016–2021)
- 85% MOT pass rate across 44,126 recorded tests for Toyota Verso cars in the 2016–2021 registration band.
- 39,398 of 63,713 defect notes — about 62% — are classified as owner maintenance rather than wear-related ageing or systemic issues.
- Tyres worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge appear 10,725 times, making them the highest-volume single MOT note on this model.
- Systemic notes total 1,136, with corroded or grease-covered brake pipes (71) and engine management lamp faults (69 and 58 under separate codes) the most frequent items.
- The low systemic share sits comfortably with the Verso’s review-era image as a dependable, if dull, Toyota MPV — most MOT friction here is upkeep-shaped, not platform-shaped.
Toyota Verso Research Summary
Third-generation Toyota Verso reviews from Auto Express, RAC Drive and similar outlets paint a consistent picture: a mid-size people carrier that prioritises practicality, build quality and Toyota dependability over excitement. It is often recommended as a sensible used buy for families who need up to seven seats, frugal engine choices and a cabin that works hard without fuss. Honest John and Autotrader listings reinforce that the model left production in 2018, so the used market is mature and values sit broadly from a few thousand pounds upward — a bargain-minded alternative to sharper-looking rivals.
Carmotiq’s make-and-model MOT aggregates for the 5–10 years old (registration era) band give that reputation a measurable footing. Across 44,126 DVSA tests, the Toyota Verso posts an 85% pass rate. Of 63,713 recorded defect notes, 39,398 fall under owner maintenance, 11,936 under wear and tear, 1,136 under systemic issues and 11,243 under other categories. Tyres dominate the maintenance list at 10,725 notes — far ahead of side repeater discolouration (1,204), headlamp aim (612) and TPMS faults (454). Among systemic items, brake pipe corrosion (71) and engine MIL warnings (69 and 58) lead, but their absolute counts remain modest against the fleet size. Year-on-year totals show owner-maintenance and wear notes climbing as 2016–2021 cars accumulate test cycles through 2024 and 2025, which is what you would expect as the cohort ages rather than evidence of a sudden model-wide fault spike.
For a buyer, the practical read is straightforward: the Verso’s MOT record largely rewards the reputation for mechanical sobriety while punishing neglect. Shortlist cars with recent tyres showing even wear, working washers and correctly aimed lights, and treat any lit warning lamp — engine, TPMS or supplementary restraint — as a pre-purchase investigation item, not a negotiation footnote. A corroded brake pipe note is rare at fleet level but worth a deliberate underbody check on any example you are serious about. Use this page to understand how the model behaves in MOT testing at aggregate level, then confirm the individual car in person before you buy.
What this doesn't tell you
This report describes model-level MOT trends, not the condition of any individual vehicle.
Two identical Toyota Verso models can have very different maintenance histories.
Use this report to understand common patterns before inspecting a specific car.
How we classify MOT faults
We group recorded DVSA defect wording into four research categories to help identify whether issues are more likely to reflect routine maintenance, expected wear, recurring model patterns or miscellaneous inspection outcomes.
- Owner maintenance
- Defects often linked to day-to-day upkeep — for example tyres, lamps, washers and other items a careful owner can usually prevent or fix promptly.
- Wear & tear
- Age- and mileage-related deterioration that accumulates with normal use, even when a car has been looked after.
- Systemic
- Recurring wording and patterns that appear across the model fleet and may point to design, component or known-model tendencies rather than one careless owner.
- Other
- Inspection outcomes that do not sit cleanly in the three groups above, including mixed or less classifiable defect notes.
How MOT failures break down
Share of recorded defect notes by category for Toyota Verso in this age band (not MOT tests and not number of vehicles).
- Owner maintenance
61.8% · 39,398
defect notes
- Wear & tear
18.7% · 11,936
defect notes
- Systemic
1.8% · 1,136
defect notes
- Other
17.6% · 11,243
defect notes
Severity mix
How those defect notes were graded — advisory, minor, major or dangerous — summed across categories for this model band.
Advisory
51,098
defect notes
Minor
4,582
defect notes
Major
5,656
defect notes
Dangerous
2,377
defect notes
Most Common Owner-Maintenance Faults
DVSA wording grouped as owner maintenance for this model and age band.
Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
- Recorded
- 10,725 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 5.2.3 (e)
What it means
Tread is close to (or at) the legal minimum, or wear is concentrated on an edge. That often points to alignment, pressure or suspension issues as well as simple age.
Why it happens
Under-inflation, poor alignment, aggressive driving or simply delayed replacement push tread below a safe/legal profile.
Buyer tip
Measure tread across the full width, check tyre age (DOT date) and look for uneven inner-edge wear.
Severity
Usually maintenance related
Side repeater slightly discoloured
- Recorded
- 1,204 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 4.4.3 (a)
What it means
An indicator repeater lens is faded or discoloured, which can reduce how clearly your signal is seen.
Why it happens
UV exposure and age bleach plastic lenses, especially on higher-mileage cars.
Buyer tip
Budget for a replacement repeater lens — usually a cheap fix compared with a failed test.
Severity
Usually maintenance related
Headlamp aim too low
- Recorded
- 612 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 4.1.2 (a)
What it means
This MOT defect usually indicates incorrect headlamp alignment following adjustment, suspension movement or repair work.
Why it happens
Aim drifts after suspension work, bumper repairs, bulb changes or simply from road vibration over time.
Buyer tip
Check beam alignment during inspection and ask whether the lamps were aimed after any recent suspension or bodywork.
Severity
Usually maintenance related
Tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative
- Recorded
- 454 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 5.2.3 (h)
What it means
The tyre pressure monitoring system is reporting a fault or is clearly not working, so you may not get a dashboard warning of under-inflation.
Why it happens
Flat battery sensors after tyre changes, damaged valves or control-module faults are common.
Buyer tip
Confirm whether sensors need replacing after recent tyre or wheel work, and check pressures manually anyway.
Severity
Usually maintenance related
Shock absorbers has light misting of oil
- Recorded
- 316 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 5.3.2 (b)
What it means
A damper mounting bush is worn, which can cause knocks, vague handling and accelerated tyre wear.
Why it happens
Rubber bushes harden and tear with age, road salt and repeated suspension movement.
Buyer tip
Listen for clunks over speed bumps and have a mechanic check top mounts and lower bushes.
Severity
Usually maintenance related
Windscreen washer not working
- Recorded
- 301 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 3.5 (a)
What it means
Washer jets are not delivering fluid. Testers need a clear screen; empty reservoirs, blocked jets or failed pumps are common.
Why it happens
Empty bottles, frozen/blocked jets, split pipes or a failed pump stop fluid reaching the screen.
Buyer tip
Top up fluid, test the jets on the driveway, and check for cracked bottles or split pipes in the engine bay.
Severity
Usually maintenance related
Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault
- Recorded
- 84 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 7.1.6 (a)
What it means
The airbag/SRS warning lamp indicates a fault. Restraint systems may not deploy correctly in a collision.
Why it happens
Clock-spring, sensor or module faults — sometimes after prior accident repairs — set SRS warnings.
Buyer tip
Require a specialist SRS diagnosis — do not accept a bulb removed or lamp covered up.
Severity
Usually maintenance related
Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed
- Recorded
- 76 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 7.1.2 (b)
What it means
Seat-belt webbing is frayed or lightly damaged, which can weaken the belt in a crash.
Why it happens
Abrasion at guides, trapped belts or age fray the webbing fibres.
Buyer tip
Pull each belt fully out and inspect for cuts, fraying and weak retraction.
Severity
Usually maintenance related
Most Common Wear & Tear Faults
DVSA wording grouped as wear and tear for this model and age band.
brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
- Recorded
- 5 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 3.5.1i
What it means
A brake disc is contaminated, scored or otherwise not in a serviceable condition for consistent braking.
Why it happens
Worn pads, rust lip, oil contamination or delayed disc replacement leave an uneven braking surface.
Buyer tip
Check disc faces through the wheels and ask for pad/disc measurements if the car is due brakes soon.
Severity
Usually wear related
Rear Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush
- Recorded
- 3 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 5.3.2 (c)
What it means
A damper mounting bush is worn, which can cause knocks, vague handling and accelerated tyre wear.
Why it happens
Rubber bushes harden and tear with age, road salt and repeated suspension movement.
Buyer tip
Listen for clunks over speed bumps and have a mechanic check top mounts and lower bushes.
Severity
Usually wear related
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt
- Recorded
- 1 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 2.4.G.2
What it means
This wording appears on DVSA MOT records for this model. It flags a tester-observed defect or advisory that can affect safety, legality or a future pass.
Why it happens
Components age with mileage and road use, even when a car has been looked after carefully.
Buyer tip
Ask the seller for invoices covering this item, and have an independent inspector confirm whether it is still present.
Severity
Usually wear related
Brake performance unable to be tested pads worn to close to discs
- Recorded
- 1 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 1.2.1 (g)
What it means
Service brake performance could not be fully verified, or a brake is binding/fluctuating. That often points to worn discs, seized calipers or hub issues.
Why it happens
Seized caliper slides, worn discs or contaminated friction material upset brake balance.
Buyer tip
Insist on a road test and a proper brake inspection; unresolved binding can destroy pads and hubs.
Severity
Usually wear related
Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak hole in cat
- Recorded
- 1 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 8.2.2.1 (b)
What it means
Emissions could not be completed cleanly, or a leak is likely to upset the reading. Common causes include exhaust leaks, misfires, DPF issues or an engine that will not idle correctly.
Why it happens
Leaks before the sample point, misfires, DPF problems or unstable idle prevent a valid emissions result.
Buyer tip
Listen for blow-by at joints, check for recent exhaust/DPF work, and avoid cars that need “easier” emissions excuses.
Severity
Usually wear related
Most Common Systemic Faults
DVSA wording grouped as systemic patterns for this model and age band.
Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
- Recorded
- 71 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 1.1.11 (c)
What it means
A brake pipe is damaged or heavily corroded. Pipe failure can cause sudden loss of braking effort.
Why it happens
Road salt, stone chips and age corrode metal pipes, especially along the underbody.
Buyer tip
Inspect metal pipes along the underbody and near calipers; corroded pipes should be replaced before you rely on the car.
Severity
Often a recurring model pattern
Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction
- Recorded
- 69 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 8.2.2.2 (g)
What it means
The engine management warning lamp is on or not working. Stored faults can affect emissions, drivability and future MOT results.
Why it happens
Sensors, emissions equipment or wiring faults store codes that illuminate the MIL.
Buyer tip
Ask for a diagnostic printout and proof that the underlying fault — not just the lamp — was fixed.
Severity
Often a recurring model pattern
Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction
- Recorded
- 58 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 8.2.1.2 (h)
What it means
The engine management warning lamp is on or not working. Stored faults can affect emissions, drivability and future MOT results.
Why it happens
Sensors, emissions equipment or wiring faults store codes that illuminate the MIL.
Buyer tip
Ask for a diagnostic printout and proof that the underlying fault — not just the lamp — was fixed.
Severity
Often a recurring model pattern
Registration plate inscription illegible Obscured by bike rack
- Recorded
- 10 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 0.1 (b)
What it means
The number plate is cracked, deteriorated or hard to read. Plates must remain legible and securely fitted.
Why it happens
Age, stone chips, poor replacements or mounts that flex crack or fade plates.
Buyer tip
Budget for legal replacement plates; check fixing and any bike-rack or tow-bar obstruction.
Severity
Often a recurring model pattern
Steering locking device missing track rod end
- Recorded
- 7 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 2.1.3 (d)
What it means
The steering lock is missing or ineffective. That affects theft protection and can be an MOT failure item.
Why it happens
Column locks wear, or aftermarket work interferes with the lock mechanism.
Buyer tip
Confirm the steering lock engages with the key removed and investigate any aftermarket column work.
Severity
Often a recurring model pattern
Steering system fouling
- Recorded
- 1 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 2.1.4 (a)
What it means
This wording appears on DVSA MOT records for this model. It flags a tester-observed defect or advisory that can affect safety, legality or a future pass.
Why it happens
When similar DVSA wording appears across many examples, it can reflect shared components or recurring model tendencies rather than one careless owner.
Buyer tip
Ask the seller for invoices covering this item, and have an independent inspector confirm whether it is still present.
Severity
Often a recurring model pattern
Emission control equipment missing where fitted as standard pressure differential pipe
- Recorded
- 1 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 8.2.2.1 (a)
What it means
This wording appears on DVSA MOT records for this model. It flags a tester-observed defect or advisory that can affect safety, legality or a future pass.
Why it happens
When similar DVSA wording appears across many examples, it can reflect shared components or recurring model tendencies rather than one careless owner.
Buyer tip
Ask the seller for invoices covering this item, and have an independent inspector confirm whether it is still present.
Severity
Often a recurring model pattern
Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine
- Recorded
- 1 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 8.2.2.2 (b)
What it means
Emissions could not be completed cleanly, or a leak is likely to upset the reading. Common causes include exhaust leaks, misfires, DPF issues or an engine that will not idle correctly.
Why it happens
Leaks before the sample point, misfires, DPF problems or unstable idle prevent a valid emissions result.
Buyer tip
Listen for blow-by at joints, check for recent exhaust/DPF work, and avoid cars that need “easier” emissions excuses.
Severity
Often a recurring model pattern
Recent year-by-year category counts
Defect-note totals by calendar year in the serving extract (not MOT tests, not vehicles, and not a prediction).
| Year | Owner maintenance | Wear & tear | Systemic | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| defect notes | defect notes | defect notes | defect notes | |
| 2021 | 5,491 | 985 | 89 | 1,219 |
| 2022 | 5,684 | 1,328 | 126 | 1,279 |
| 2023 | 5,833 | 1,834 | 146 | 1,465 |
| 2024 | 6,299 | 2,416 | 193 | 1,995 |
| 2025 | 6,496 | 2,995 | 286 | 2,245 |
| 2026 | 2,519 | 1,260 | 161 | 891 |
Buying a used Toyota Verso: practical MOT checks
- Inspect all four tyres for edge wear and tread depth — tyre condition is the single most frequent MOT defect note on this model.
- With the engine running, confirm the engine management, tyre-pressure and airbag warning lamps behave normally and are not recently cleared.
- Look underneath for corroded or grease-covered brake pipes, the most common systemic MOT finding on Verso examples in this age band.
- Check headlamp aim, side repeater clarity and that the windscreen washer works before you commit — all appear regularly in MOT records.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Toyota Verso MOT pass rate for 2016–2021 registrations?
- In Carmotiq’s extract for the 5–10 years old (registration era) band, the Toyota Verso records an 85% MOT pass rate across 44,126 DVSA tests.
- What are the most common Toyota Verso MOT defect notes?
- Tyres worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge lead the list with 10,725 recorded notes, followed by side repeater discolouration (1,204), headlamp aim too low (612) and tyre-pressure monitoring faults (454).
- Does a strong Toyota reliability reputation show up in MOT outcomes?
- Systemic defect notes — issues unlikely to be explained by routine upkeep alone — account for 1,136 of 63,713 recorded notes, roughly 1.8% of the total. Owner-maintenance-classified notes are far larger at 39,398.