2009 Toyota Corolla MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 59.6% of Toyota Corollas first used in 2009 passed their MOT first time, against 58.3% for all cars first used in 2009. Across 3,836 Corolla first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, brakes and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen).

This page analyses first MOT tests for Toyota Corollas first used in 2009 (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

Passed first time, 2025
59.6%
of 1,130 first tests; all cars first used in 2009: 58.3%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
3,836
first tests, 2023–2025; 1,130 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
18.3%
of 1,130 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
116,500
middle half: 95,000–143,500 miles; all cars first used in 2009: 100,000

How the 2009 Toyota Corolla MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Corollas first used in 2009 against all cars first used in 2009 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Corolla figure was in line with the all-cars figure.

2009 CorollaAll cars first used in 2009
50%60%70%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2009, test year 2021: 60.5%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2022: 60.1%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2023: 59%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2024: 58.4%All cars first used in 2009, test year 2025: 58.3%2009 Corolla, test year 2021: 65.4%2009 Corolla, test year 2022: 65.3%2009 Corolla, test year 2023: 64.6%2009 Corolla, test year 2024: 61.7%2009 Corolla, test year 2025: 59.6%59.6%58.3%
View this chart as a table
Test year2009 CorollaAll cars first used 2009Corolla first tests
202165.4%60.5%1,617
202265.3%60.1%1,518
202364.6%59.0%1,425
202461.7%58.4%1,281
202559.6%58.3%1,130

Common 2009 Toyota Corolla MOT failures

Share of the 1,452 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%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment60.5%
Brakes21.3%
Visibility21.1%
Tyres16.9%
Suspension16.3%
Noise, emissions and leaks15.8%
Body, chassis, structure12.9%
Steering3.0%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Position lamp: not working27.6%401
Stop lamp: not working13.6%197
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively12.5%181
Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps10.5%152
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.6%111

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2009 Toyota Corolla before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. 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.
  3. Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.

Common 2009 Toyota Corolla MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2009 Corollas, as a share of all 3,836 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge18.3%703
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened12.1%463
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material11.3%435
Brake pads: wearing thin10.8%416
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing10.7%409

Questions about the 2009 Toyota Corolla MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2009 Toyota Corolla?

In 2025, 59.6% of Corollas first used in 2009 passed their MOT first time, against 58.3% for all cars first used in 2009. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2009 Corolla most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 60.5% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (21.3%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (21.1%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (27.6%).

How often does a 2009 Toyota Corolla fail its MOT?

In 2025, 40.4% of first tests on Corollas first used in 2009 did not pass first time: 27.9% failed, and a further 12.5% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,452 of 3,836 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2009 Toyota Corolla MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 18.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (12.1%), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (11.3%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (10.8%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (10.7%).

Is a 2009 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 65.4% in 2021 to 59.6% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2009

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2009 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2009 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2009 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2009 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2009 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics

How the 2009 Toyota Corolla MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2009 Corolla” means a Toyota Corolla whose date of first use falls in 2009 (58, 09 and 59 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2009, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.