2011 Toyota Yaris — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 97,432 MOT tests analysed for the 2011 Toyota Yaris, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility. Its pass rate of 82.5% was above the average for superminis of a similar age (76.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 23.0% in the 150k+ group versus 10.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 11,029 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.0% | 7,833 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.1% | 5,003 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.3% | 4,176 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.9% | 3,792 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.7% | 1,698 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 5,277 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 4,488 |
| 3 | Wipers | 3,594 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,840 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 2,688 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 2,421 |
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 | 25.0% | 24,367 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.4% | 23,783 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.0% | 20,450 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.5% | 11,163 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.7% | 5,581 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.3% | 4,140 |
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 | 6,995 | 10.8% |
| 30-60k | 32,030 | 14.6% |
| 60-90k | 35,046 | 18.4% |
| 90-120k | 16,644 | 21.4% |
| 120-150k | 5,132 | 22.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,576 | 23.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 91,107 | 17.3% |
| Diesel | 6,316 | 19.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 19,375 | 16.2% |
| 2022 | 19,409 | 16.1% |
| 2023 | 19,666 | 17.3% |
| 2024 | 19,474 | 17.8% |
| 2025 | 19,508 | 19.9% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Yaris
Before buying a 2011 Toyota Yaris, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 11.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (11.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.0% 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 (5.1% 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 Yariss pass their MOT?
82.5% of the 97,432 2011 Toyota Yaris MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Toyota Yaris?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.3% of tests, followed by suspension (8.0%).
Does the 2011 Yaris get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.8% in the 0-30k band to 23.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 97,432 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.