CARMOTIQ Model Research Report
Toyota Yaris
2011–2016
The Toyota Yaris MOT pass rate for cars first registered 2011–2016 is 82.9% across 1.6 million official UK DVSA tests. This report then covers more than 2.17 million recorded defect notes for Toyota Yaris models in that registration band. It shows common faults, MOT pass rates and maintenance trends to help you research the model before you buy.
Unlike a registration check, this report analyses how thousands of similar Toyota Yaris models have performed at MOT over time—not just one vehicle.
Report Dataset
- Official UK DVSA MOT tests analysed
- 1,598,718
- Recorded defect notes
- 2,172,493
- Registration era
- 2011–2016
- Coverage
- United Kingdom
- Snapshot
- 17 August 2026
- Research method
- Aggregated model-level MOT analysis
MOT pass rate
82.9%
of MOT tests passed
MOT tests analysed
1,598,718
Defect notes recorded
2,172,493
Key Findings
Toyota Yaris (2011–2016)
- 82.9% MOT pass rate across 1.6 million tests.
- 57% of recorded defect notes relate to owner maintenance.
- Tyres account for the largest volume of recorded MOT issues.
- Brake-pipe deterioration is the most common recurring systemic issue in this extract.
- Headlamp alignment appears throughout the vehicle's life, from low to higher mileages.
Toyota Yaris Research Summary
Based on over 1.6 million official UK MOT tests, Toyota Yaris models registered between 2011 and 2016 achieve a solid 82.9% MOT pass rate.
The majority of recorded MOT defects relate to routine owner maintenance, with tyres, washer systems and dampers accounting for most common faults seen on used examples in this age band.
Recurring systemic faults occur far less frequently, although brake-pipe deterioration appears consistently across the dataset.
Overall, the data suggests that this generation of Toyota Yaris is more likely to fail MOT due to maintenance items than widespread design faults, making service history and routine upkeep particularly important when buying used. Shoppers comparing a used Toyota Yaris should treat this research summary as model-level context before inspecting any individual car.
What this doesn't tell you
This report describes model-level MOT trends, not the condition of any individual vehicle.
Two identical Toyota Yaris 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 Yaris in this age band (not MOT tests and not number of vehicles).
- Owner maintenance
56.9% · 1,235,941
defect notes
- Wear & tear
15.2% · 329,415
defect notes
- Systemic
6.6% · 142,560
defect notes
- Other
21.4% · 464,577
defect notes
Severity mix
How those defect notes were graded — advisory, minor, major or dangerous — summed across categories for this model band.
Advisory
1,720,403
defect notes
Minor
115,107
defect notes
Major
276,062
defect notes
Dangerous
60,921
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
- 315,095 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
Tyre worn close to the legal limit
- Recorded
- 54,107 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 4.1.E.1
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
Windscreen washer not working
- Recorded
- 23,058 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
Shock absorbers has light misting of oil
- Recorded
- 21,351 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
Headlamp aim too low
- Recorded
- 20,676 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
Brake pad(s) insecure
- Recorded
- 14,760 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 3.5.1g
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
These issues often build up when routine checks are skipped between services — tyres, lamps and washers are typical examples.
Buyer tip
Ask the seller for invoices covering this item, and have an independent inspector confirm whether it is still present.
Severity
Usually maintenance related
Windscreen wiper blade missing
- Recorded
- 12,367 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 8.2.2
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
These issues often build up when routine checks are skipped between services — tyres, lamps and washers are typical examples.
Buyer tip
Ask the seller for invoices covering this item, and have an independent inspector confirm whether it is still present.
Severity
Usually maintenance related
Headlamp aim too low
- Recorded
- 6,934 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 1.8
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
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
- 9,667 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
Tie bar/rod has excessive play in a ball joint
- Recorded
- 3,517 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
Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak
- Recorded
- 218 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 8.2.1.1 (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
Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated
- Recorded
- 209 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 2.6.1
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
Suspension locking device missing ball joint
- Recorded
- 123 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 5.3.6 (b)
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
Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak
- Recorded
- 70 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
Emissions not tested exhaust leak
- Recorded
- 49 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 8.2.1.2 (d)
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
Shock absorbers has an excessively worn bush
- Recorded
- 43 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
Most Common Systemic Faults
DVSA wording grouped as systemic patterns for this model and age band.
Brake pipe excessively damaged
- Recorded
- 97,671 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
- 2,217 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
Brake cable damaged but not to excess rusty
- Recorded
- 939 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 1.1.15 (a)
What it means
Part of the brake linkage or cable is worn or damaged. That can reduce parking-brake or service-brake effectiveness.
Why it happens
Cables seize or fray with corrosion and lack of use; linkages wear at pivots.
Buyer tip
Test the handbrake on a slope and inspect cables for fraying or seized runs.
Severity
Often a recurring model pattern
Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction
- Recorded
- 717 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
Exhaust system insecure bracket
- Recorded
- 508 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 6.1.2 (a)
What it means
An exhaust mount is worn or the system is insecure/leaking. That can worsen noise, fumes and later emissions failures.
Why it happens
Rubber hangers perish and joints loosen with heat cycles and corrosion.
Buyer tip
Look under the car for hanging sections, cracked rubbers and sooty leak marks at joints.
Severity
Often a recurring model pattern
Registration plate inscription illegible crack
- Recorded
- 335 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
Brake pipe excessively corroded
- Recorded
- 229 MOT defect notes
- DVSA code
- 3.6.B.2c
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
Steering locking device missing
- Recorded
- 186 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
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 | 125,363 | 30,988 | 13,842 | 41,507 |
| 2022 | 139,408 | 39,332 | 17,568 | 49,328 |
| 2023 | 150,248 | 47,294 | 21,460 | 60,431 |
| 2024 | 162,377 | 56,801 | 25,762 | 74,519 |
| 2025 | 171,298 | 66,198 | 29,906 | 96,498 |
| 2026 | 61,362 | 24,670 | 11,058 | 35,686 |
Buying a used Toyota Yaris: practical MOT checks
- Measure tyre tread across the full width and check age (DOT date) before you buy.
- Ask for a full service history that matches the mileage.
- Compare this model with a peer in the same age band, not against a single registration check alone.
- Confirm any warning lamps (engine management, ABS, SRS) are investigated, not just cleared.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Toyota Yaris MOT pass rate for 2011???2016?
- In this extract, Toyota Yaris shows a 82.9% MOT pass rate across 1,598,718 recorded DVSA tests.
- What drives most Toyota Yaris MOT defect notes?
- About 57% of recorded defect notes are classed as owner maintenance, with tyres among the highest-volume items.
- Is this the same as checking one registration on GOV.UK?
- No. GOV.UK shows one vehicle. This page aggregates MOT outcomes for the Toyota Yaris model in a fixed UK registration age band so you can research the model before you shortlist cars.