2008 Toyota Unclassified — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 894 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Toyota Unclassified, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 82.1% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 23.2% in the 150k+ group versus 10.1% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 99 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.5% | 67 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.9% | 44 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.2% | 29 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.2% | 29 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.8% | 25 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 39 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 37 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 33 |
| 4 | Wipers | 26 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 25 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 20 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 26.3% | 235 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.6% | 175 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.5% | 174 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.8% | 97 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 10.5% | 94 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 83 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 109 | 10.1% |
| 60-90k | 298 | 13.1% |
| 90-120k | 178 | 20.2% |
| 120-150k | 140 | 25.0% |
| 150k+ | 168 | 23.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 633 | 17.5% |
| Diesel | 196 | 23.0% |
| Hybrid | 62 | 6.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 115 | 19.1% |
| 2022 | 159 | 23.3% |
| 2023 | 197 | 15.2% |
| 2024 | 201 | 14.9% |
| 2025 | 222 | 18.5% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Unclassified
Before buying a 2008 Toyota Unclassified, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 11.1% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (11.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.5% 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.
- Brakes (4.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2008 Toyota Unclassifieds pass their MOT?
82.1% of the 894 2008 Toyota Unclassified MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Toyota Unclassified?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.1% of tests, followed by suspension (7.5%).
Does the 2008 Unclassified get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.1% in the 30-60k band to 23.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 894 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.