Used car guide

2021 Toyota Yaris petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Toyota Yaris first registered in 2021 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 125 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 125 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

125MOTs of 2021 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
85%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
9,800typical miles a year
19%had tyres flagged

Common 2021 Toyota Yaris petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 Toyota Yaris petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    19% 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
    14% 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
    14% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Toyota Yaris petrol

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 Yaris?

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 Yaris compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
20231,199Tyres 12%
202222,993Tyres 20%
202061,611Tyres 21%
201982,989Tyres 26%
201882,903Tyres 27%
201779,864Tyres 27%
201684,554Tyres 28%
201591,481Tyres 29%
201486,278Tyres 29%
201386,046Tyres 30%
201281,787Tyres 29%
201148,171Suspension 30%
201055,604Suspension 35%
200973,384Suspension 35%
200867,114Suspension 44%
200762,625Suspension 43%
200651,516Lights and electrics 47%
200549,444Suspension 48%
200440,521Suspension 50%
200334,635Suspension 51%
200227,079Suspension 54%
200121,226Suspension 58%
200010,634Suspension 60%
19993,208Suspension 60%

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 Yaris cars first registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score