What are the most common problems with a 2008 Toyota Corolla petrol?

The biggest MOT weak spot is number plate lights: flagged on 13.8% of tests, 1.6× the rate for all 2008 cars, followed by steering swivel joints (5.8%).

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 2008 Toyota Corolla petrol?

Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2008 Toyota Corolla petrol as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the steering swivel joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.8× as often on the 2008 Toyota Corolla petrol as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2008 Toyota Corolla petrol as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

2008 Toyota Corolla petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Toyota Corolla first registered in 2008 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 5,474 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,474MOTs of 2008 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025

63%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)

6,800typical miles a year

1.6×the usual rate for number plate lights

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Toyota Corolla petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Toyota Corolla petrol than on all cars registered in 2008.

Number plate lights1.6× usual

Toyota Corolla
13.8% All 2008 cars
8.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2.3% of all 2008 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.
Steering swivel joints5.8× usual

Toyota Corolla
5.8% All 2008 cars
1%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Number plates1.8× usual

Toyota Corolla
9.6% All 2008 cars
5.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.5% of all 2008 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.
Wipers1.9× usual

Toyota Corolla
7.1% All 2008 cars
3.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 2.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4.1% here, against 10.7% of all 2008 cars. Engine oil leaks: 5.5% here, against 11.3% of all 2008 cars.

Common 2008 Toyota Corolla petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Toyota Corolla petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Lights and electrics

37% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

34% 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.
Brakes

33% 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.
Tyres

32% 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.
Exhaust and emissions

13% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

12% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Toyota Corolla petrol

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

Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2008 Toyota Corolla petrol as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the steering swivel joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.8× as often on the 2008 Toyota Corolla petrol as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2008 Toyota Corolla petrol as on other cars the same age.)
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

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2026	–	Too new for MOT data
2025	–	Too new for MOT data
2024	–	Too new for MOT data
2023	5,947	Tyres 15%
2022	23,838	Tyres 21%
2021	40,845	Tyres 23%
2020	55,784	Tyres 23%
2019	48,385	Tyres 24%
2017	–	Too few tests
2014	145	Lights and electrics 23%
2010	272	Lights and electrics 39%
2009	3,861	Lights and electrics 37%
2007	13,759	Lights and electrics 43%
2006	37,752	Brakes 44%
2005	33,913	Brakes 47%
2004	21,999	Brakes 49%
2003	16,496	Brakes 48%
2002	11,020	Brakes 46%
2001	6,048	Brakes 38%
2000	3,498	Suspension 38%
1999	3,556	Suspension 41%
1998	2,856	Suspension 47%
1997	1,456	Suspension 47%
1996	557	Suspension 39%
1995	426	Suspension 41%
1994	514	Suspension 40%
1993	512	Suspension 40%
1992	379	Suspension 37%
1991	195	Suspension 34%
1990	177	Suspension 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 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score