1998 Toyota Corolla MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 57.4% of Toyota Corollas first used in 1998 passed their MOT first time, against 65.6% for all cars first used in 1998. Across 2,853 Corolla first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, lamps and electrical equipment and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Toyota Corollas first used in 1998 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 1998 Toyota Corolla MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Corollas first used in 1998 against all cars first used in 1998 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Corolla figure was 8.2 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 1998 Corolla | All cars first used 1998 | Corolla first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 57.5% | 60.7% | 1,705 |
| 2022 | 57.4% | 62.4% | 1,405 |
| 2023 | 58.5% | 64.0% | 1,167 |
| 2024 | 60.3% | 64.9% | 919 |
| 2025 | 57.4% | 65.6% | 767 |
Common 1998 Toyota Corolla MOT failures
Share of the 1,176 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 15.0% | 176 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 14.3% | 168 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 10.9% | 128 |
| Service brake imbalance: across an axle | 10.8% | 127 |
| Stop lamp: not working | 10.6% | 125 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 1998 Toyota Corolla before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 1998 Toyota Corolla MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 1998 Corollas, as a share of all 2,853 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 16.9% | 482 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 16.6% | 473 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 12.1% | 346 |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread | 12.1% | 344 |
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play | 9.5% | 272 |
Questions about the 1998 Toyota Corolla MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 1998 Toyota Corolla?
In 2025, 57.4% of Corollas first used in 1998 passed their MOT first time, against 65.6% for all cars first used in 1998. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 1998 Corolla most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 39.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (35.5%) and brakes (29.8%). The single most common item was “Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt” (15.0%).
How often does a 1998 Toyota Corolla fail its MOT?
In 2025, 42.6% of first tests on Corollas first used in 1998 did not pass first time: 36.0% failed, and a further 6.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,176 of 2,853 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 1998 Toyota Corolla MOT advisories?
“Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (on 16.9% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (16.6%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (12.1%), “Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread” (12.1%) and “Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play” (9.5%).
Is a 1998 Toyota Corolla reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 57.5% in 2021 to 57.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 1998
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
1998 Volkswagen Transporter MOT statistics · 1998 Land Rover Defender MOT statistics · 1998 Mazda MX-5 MOT statistics · 1998 BMW Z3 MOT statistics · 1998 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics
Checking a specific 1998 Corolla?
The numbers above cover every Corolla first used in 1998 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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