Used car guide

2004 Toyota Corolla petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Toyota Corolla first registered in 2004 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 20,475 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

20,475MOTs of 2004 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
58%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 57%)
5,000typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for headlights

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Toyota Corolla petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Toyota Corolla petrol than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Headlights1.8× usual
    Toyota Corolla
    23.7% All 2004 cars
    13.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 4.9% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Braking performance2× usual
    Toyota Corolla
    14.6% All 2004 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 3.1% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Coil springs1.6× usual
    Toyota Corolla
    17.6% All 2004 cars
    10.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 2.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Brake pads1.8× usual
    Toyota Corolla
    13.4% All 2004 cars
    7.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 1.8% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Number plates1.7× usual
    Toyota Corolla
    10.3% All 2004 cars
    6.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Better than most

Ball joint: 1.7% here, against 6.7% of all 2004 cars. Track rod ends: 2.1% here, against 6.5% of all 2004 cars.

Common 2004 Toyota Corolla petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2004 Toyota Corolla petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    49% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    44% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    42% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    30% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    15% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    14% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2004 Toyota Corolla petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Several brake, gearbox and airbag recalls

    All engines

    This Corolla had recalls for brake problems (2002 and 2005), possible gearbox damage (2002) and front passenger airbag concerns (2004 and 2006).

    At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg and ask for proof any recall work was done.

    Source: What Car?: Toyota Corolla (2002-2007) reliability

  • Misty rear lights

    All engines

    Condensation can build up inside the rear light clusters.

    At the viewing: Look inside the rear lights for water droplets or misting.

    Source: What Car?: Toyota Corolla (2002-2007) reliability

  • Squealing brakes

    All engines

    Owners report squealing brakes. It's an annoyance rather than a major fault.

    At the viewing: Listen for squeals when braking gently on the test drive.

    Source: What Car?: Toyota Corolla (2002-2007) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Toyota Corolla petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Has all the recall work been done, and can I see the paperwork?
  2. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2004 Toyota Corolla petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2004 Toyota Corolla petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2004 Toyota Corolla petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Toyota Corolla?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Toyota Corolla compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
20235,947Tyres 15%
202223,838Tyres 21%
202140,845Tyres 23%
202055,784Tyres 23%
201948,385Tyres 24%
2017–Too few tests
2014145Lights and electrics 23%
2010272Lights and electrics 39%
20093,861Lights and electrics 37%
20089,957Lights and electrics 39%
200713,759Lights and electrics 43%
200637,752Brakes 44%
200533,913Brakes 47%
200316,496Brakes 48%
200211,020Brakes 46%
20016,048Brakes 38%
20003,498Suspension 38%
19993,556Suspension 41%
19982,856Suspension 47%
19971,456Suspension 47%
1996557Suspension 39%
1995426Suspension 41%
1994514Suspension 40%
1993512Suspension 40%
1992379Suspension 37%
1991195Suspension 34%
1990177Suspension 34%
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1983–Too few tests
1981–Too few tests
1980–Too few tests
1979–Too few tests
1978–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Toyota Corolla cars first registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score