1999 Toyota Corolla MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 60.4% of Toyota Corollas first used in 1999 passed their MOT first time, against 64.6% for all cars first used in 1999. Across 3,549 Corolla first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, brakes and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Toyota Corollas first used in 1999 (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 1999 Toyota Corolla MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Corollas first used in 1999 against all cars first used in 1999 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Corolla figure was 4.2 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 1999 Corolla | All cars first used 1999 | Corolla first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 59.7% | 58.5% | 2,173 |
| 2022 | 60.3% | 60.7% | 1,762 |
| 2023 | 62.8% | 62.5% | 1,446 |
| 2024 | 60.6% | 63.2% | 1,163 |
| 2025 | 60.4% | 64.6% | 940 |
Common 1999 Toyota Corolla MOT failures
Share of the 1,368 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working | 13.7% | 188 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 12.1% | 165 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 10.5% | 143 |
| Service brake imbalance: across an axle | 9.8% | 134 |
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn | 9.2% | 126 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · opens our free car check — no sign-in needed.
Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Corolla in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 1999 Toyota Corolla before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- 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.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
Common 1999 Toyota Corolla MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 1999 Corollas, as a share of all 3,549 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 19.0% | 673 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 17.4% | 618 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 13.2% | 467 |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread | 12.4% | 441 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 11.3% | 401 |
Questions about the 1999 Toyota Corolla MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 1999 Toyota Corolla?
In 2025, 60.4% of Corollas first used in 1999 passed their MOT first time, against 64.6% for all cars first used in 1999. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 1999 Corolla most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 40.7% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (34.5%) and suspension (32.2%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (13.7%).
How often does a 1999 Toyota Corolla fail its MOT?
In 2025, 39.6% of first tests on Corollas first used in 1999 did not pass first time: 31.7% failed, and a further 7.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,368 of 3,549 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 1999 Toyota Corolla MOT advisories?
“Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (on 19.0% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (17.4%), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (13.2%), “Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread” (12.4%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (11.3%).
Is a 1999 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 59.7% in 2021 to 60.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 1999
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
1999 Volkswagen Transporter MOT statistics · 1999 Land Rover Defender MOT statistics · 1999 BMW Z3 MOT statistics · 1999 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics · 1999 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics
Checking a specific 1999 Corolla?
The numbers above cover every Corolla first used in 1999 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.
Enter the car's registration to run the check.
Free · no sign-in needed.