Used car guide

2010 Toyota Vitz: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Toyota Vitz first registered in 2010: we looked at the 194 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 194 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

194MOTs of 2010 cars, done in 2023–2025
76%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 60%)
3,600typical miles a year
27%had lights and electrics flagged

Common 2010 Toyota Vitz MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2010 Toyota Vitz MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    27% 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
    21% 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.

  • Suspension
    20% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Brakes
    8% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    5% 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 engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2010 Toyota Vitz

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Toyota Vitz?

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 Vitz compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2019124Lights and electrics 23%
2018314Tyres 11%
2017221Tyres 13%
2015127Tyres 17%
2014358Suspension 9%
2013897Suspension 15%
20121,215Lights and electrics 17%
2011826Tyres 20%
2009229Lights and electrics 26%
2008115Lights and electrics 38%

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 Vitz cars first registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score