2011 Toyota Vitz — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,158 MOT tests analysed for the 2011 Toyota Vitz, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility. Its pass rate of 86.9% was above the average for cars of a similar age (77.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 20.0% in the 90-120k group versus 11.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 120 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.4% | 63 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.0% | 35 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.8% | 32 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.7% | 31 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.6% | 7 |
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 | 69 |
| 2 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 44 |
| 3 | Ball joint dust cover | 32 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 30 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 25 |
| 6 | Wipers | 24 |
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 | 17.6% | 204 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.1% | 128 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.0% | 104 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.2% | 95 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.1% | 47 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.5% | 29 |
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 | 163 | 11.7% |
| 30-60k | 569 | 11.9% |
| 60-90k | 370 | 14.6% |
| 90-120k | 50 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 34 | 2.9% |
| 2022 | 154 | 5.8% |
| 2023 | 249 | 9.2% |
| 2024 | 347 | 15.3% |
| 2025 | 374 | 17.6% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Vitz
Before buying a 2011 Toyota Vitz, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 10.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (10.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.4% 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.
- Visibility (3.0% 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 2011 Toyota Vitzs pass their MOT?
86.9% of the 1,158 2011 Toyota Vitz MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Toyota Vitz?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.4% of tests, followed by suspension (5.4%).
Does the 2011 Vitz get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.7% in the 0-30k band to 20.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,158 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.