Most Reliable Toyota Models: Real MOT Data Analysis
We analysed 1,606,300 real UK MOT tests to reveal which Toyota models pass most often, which years to buy, and which to avoid entirely.
1,606,300 MOT tests analysed
Real DVSA data covering every Toyota model from 2000-2023
Key Findings
Most Reliable Model
Toyota CAMRY
90.5% pass rate
Best Single Year
ESTIMA 2009 Hybrid Electric
83.6% pass rate
Toyota vs National Average
74.0% vs 71.5%
+2.5% above average
Proven Durability Champion
ESTIMA 2009
+26.3% at 13+ years
Toyota has built its reputation on reliability, but does the data back it up? We analysed 1,606,300 real MOT tests from the DVSA database to find out exactly which Toyota models live up to the hype and which ones fall short.
This isn't survey data or owner opinions. These are actual pass/fail results from UK garages, covering every Toyota model sold in the UK from 2000 to 2023.
How Toyota Compares to Rivals
Toyota ranks #31 out of 75 manufacturers with a 74.0% average MOT pass rate. That's above the national average of 71.5%:
| Manufacturer | Pass Rate | Rank | Tests Analysed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | 74.0% | #31 | 1,606,300 |
| Kia | 73.9% | #32 | 886,213 |
| Hyundai | 73.3% | #34 | 858,542 |
| Suzuki | 73.1% | #37 | 429,206 |
| Honda | 72.2% | #41 | 927,815 |
| Mazda | 72.2% | #42 | 518,750 |
| Nissan | 68.7% | #50 | 1,612,552 |
The verdict: Toyota leads its competitors with a 74.0% pass rate. However, newer Toyota models significantly outperform this average.
Best Toyota Models by MOT Pass Rate
Looking at overall reliability across all years, here's how Toyota's core models rank against the 71.5% national average:
| Model | Pass Rate | vs National (71.5%) | Tests | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAMRY | 90.5% | +19.0% | 956 | 2002-2020 |
| VITZ | 86.6% | +15.0% | 655 | 2011-2013 |
| C-HR | 86.4% | +14.9% | 67,984 | 2016-2021 |
| SUPRA | 86.2% | +14.7% | 718 | 2003-2020 |
| GT86 | 85.9% | +14.4% | 6,732 | 2012-2020 |
| VELLFIRE | 83.2% | +11.7% | 1,279 | 2008-2012 |
| RAV4 | 79.5% | +8.0% | 88,834 | 2000-2021 |
| PRIUS | 78.5% | +6.9% | 158,200 | 2003-2023 |
| ESTIMA | 77.5% | +6.0% | 14,806 | 2004-2021 |
| IQ | 76.6% | +5.1% | 17,166 | 2009-2014 |
Top performer
The CAMRY dramatically outperforms other Toyotas with an 90.5% pass rate, putting it among the most reliable cars in the database.
Proven Durability Champions: Which Toyota Models Age Best?
These Toyota models have proven their durability with 11+ years of real-world MOT data. They're compared against the national average for cars of the same age:
High-confidence data: Only vehicles with 11+ years of MOT history and 500+ tests are included in this ranking.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESTIMA | 2009 | Hybrid Electric | +26.3% | 13+ years | 83.6% |
| ALPHARD | 2007 | Hybrid Electric | +23.1% | 13+ years | 80.4% |
| ALPHARD | 2008 | Hybrid Electric | +21.2% | 13+ years | 78.5% |
| ALPHARD | 2006 | Hybrid Electric | +20.5% | 13+ years | 77.8% |
| ESTIMA | 2008 | Petrol | +20.1% | 13+ years | 77.4% |
| IQ | 2012 | Petrol | +17.5% | 11-12 years | 80.3% |
| MR2 | 2006 | Petrol | +17.3% | 13+ years | 74.6% |
| ESTIMA | 2009 | Petrol | +16.9% | 13+ years | 74.2% |
| IQ | 2009 | Petrol | +16.7% | 13+ years | 74.0% |
| IQ | 2010 | Petrol | +16.4% | 13+ years | 73.8% |
How to read this: A score of "+15%" means the model passes MOTs 15 percentage points more often than the average car of the same age. These are proven results from vehicles that have genuinely aged well.
Proven durability champion
The ESTIMA 2009 outperforms the average 13+ years-old car by 26 percentage points, with 731 MOT tests proving its reliability.
Early Performers: Strong Start, Unproven Durability
These newer Toyota models (3-6 years old) show strong early results, but haven't yet proven long-term durability:
Important caveat: Durability NOT yet proven - these vehicles have not been tested at older ages. Older versions of the same model may tell a different story at 11+ years.
| Model | Year | Fuel | vs Same-Age Average | Tested At | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRIUS | 2018 | Hybrid Electric | +6.5% | 5-6 years | 87.8% |
| PRIUS | 2017 | Hybrid Electric | +6.2% | 5-6 years | 87.5% |
| RAV4 | 2020 | Hybrid Electric | +6.2% | 3-4 years | 92.1% |
| RAV4 | 2019 | Hybrid Electric | +6.0% | 3-4 years | 91.8% |
| AURIS | 2017 | Petrol | +5.5% | 5-6 years | 86.7% |
| YARIS | 2016 | Petrol | +5.4% | 5-6 years | 86.6% |
| RAV4 | 2016 | Diesel | +5.4% | 5-6 years | 86.6% |
| RAV4 | 2017 | Diesel | +5.1% | 5-6 years | 86.3% |
What this means: These models are performing well in their early years, but we recommend checking the Durability Champions section above to see how older versions of the same model family have fared over time.
Toyota PRIUS: Year-by-Year Breakdown
The PRIUS has 158,200 tests in our database with an overall 78.5% pass rate:
| Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | vs Same-Year Avg | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Hybrid Electric | 93.8% | -4.0% | 274 |
| 2022 | Hybrid Electric | 90.0% | -2.8% | 431 |
| 2021 | Hybrid Electric | 87.1% | -3.7% | 1,140 |
| 2020 | Hybrid Electric | 84.9% | -2.8% | 8,101 |
| 2019 | Hybrid Electric | 85.4% | -0.8% | 16,776 |
| 2018 | Hybrid Electric | 87.2% | +2.9% | 13,655 |
| 2017 | Hybrid Electric | 87.4% | +5.7% | 15,238 |
| 2016 | Hybrid Electric | 84.7% | +6.0% | 15,387 |
| 2015 | Hybrid Electric | 80.4% | +4.9% | 13,477 |
| 2014 | Hybrid Electric | 78.8% | +7.1% | 11,638 |
| 2013 | Hybrid Electric | 77.7% | +9.4% | 9,798 |
| 2012 | Hybrid Electric | 75.9% | +10.3% | 7,874 |
PRIUS verdict: The 2023 hybrid electric model achieves an excellent 93.8% pass rate.
Toyota Hybrids vs Petrol vs Diesel
Toyota's fuel type comparison shows clear differences in reliability:
| Fuel Type | Average Pass Rate | vs National | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Electric | 82.6% | +11.1% | 467,879 |
| Petrol | 71.0% | -0.5% | 852,064 |
| Diesel | 68.0% | -3.5% | 255,202 |
| Electric | 66.9% | -4.7% | 2,637 |
| Other | 66.4% | -5.2% | 2,295 |
The hybrid advantage: Toyota hybrids pass MOTs 12% more often than petrols and 15% more often than diesels.
Toyota Models to Avoid
Not all Toyotas are reliable. These specific model/year combinations have failure rates well above average:
| Model | Year | Fuel | Pass Rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PROACE | 2014 | Diesel | 50.1% (-24.4% vs same-age) | 837 |
| PROACE | 2015 | Diesel | 53.9% (-23.3% vs same-age) | 1,139 |
| PROACE | 2016 | Diesel | 59.4% (-20.5% vs same-age) | 613 |
| ALPHARD | 2017 | Hybrid Electric | 67.5% (-14.7% vs same-age) | 553 |
| PROACE | 2020 | Diesel | 75.8% | 1,575 |
| PROACE | 2019 | Diesel | 75.0% (-11.4% vs same-age) | 1,902 |
| PROACE | 2018 | Diesel | 73.6% (-11.1% vs same-age) | 2,108 |
| AYGO | 2005 | Petrol | 47.5% (-12.4% vs same-age) | 1,601 |
| PROACE | 2017 | Diesel | 73.1% (-9.1% vs same-age) | 1,663 |
| ESTIMA | 2017 | Petrol | 74.2% | 573 |
Pattern to avoid
Early 2014-2020 diesel PROACEs are the models that drag down Toyota's average. The AYGO 2005 performs 10% worse than the average car of the same age at 13+ years - this is proven poor durability. These vehicles fail MOTs more often than they pass.
What Goes Wrong on Toyotas?
When Toyotas fail MOTs, these are the most common causes:
| Failure Category | Total Failures |
|---|---|
| 1. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 195,574 |
| 2. Suspension | 103,616 |
| 3. Brakes | 101,589 |
| 4. Visibility | 79,806 |
| 5. Tyres | 76,041 |
| 6. Body, chassis, structure | 40,544 |
| 7. Noise, emissions and leaks | 38,732 |
Pre-MOT checklist for Toyota owners:
- Check all bulbs (number plate lights are commonly missed)
- Inspect suspension bushes and anti-roll bar links
- Check brake pad thickness and disc condition
- Clean windscreen and check wiper blade condition
- Ensure tyres meet 1.6mm tread requirement
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Buying Recommendations
Best If Buying Nearly New
2019-2023 models with highest early pass rates
- Limited data for recent models
Note: Long-term durability not yet proven for these newer models
Best If Buying Used (Proven)
11+ years of proven durability data
- ESTIMA 2006-2009: +19% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- ALPHARD 2004-2008: +19% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- IQ 2009-2012: +17% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
- MR2 2006: +17% vs same-age (proven at 11+ years)
Toyota Models to Avoid (Proven Poor)
Proven below average at 11+ years - not just old, genuinely problematic
- AYGO 2005-2006: -7% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 13+ years)
- YARIS 2003-2004: -4% vs same-age (proven poor at 11+ years) (Below average durability at 13+ years)
About This Data
This analysis uses real MOT test results from the DVSA database, covering 1,606,300 tests on Toyota vehicles between 2000 and 2023.
Year-Adjusted Scoring (v2.1): In year-by-year breakdowns, each vehicle is compared against the national average for vehicles of the same model year. This removes the natural bias where newer cars pass more often, allowing fair comparisons across eras.
Evidence-Tiered Durability: We separate "proven durability" (vehicles tested at 11+ years old) from "early performers" (3-6 years old). Only vehicles with proven long-term data are used for durability claims. Age-band comparisons use weighted national averages.
Minimum thresholds: 500 tests for proven durability rankings, 1,000 tests for early performer rankings. Pass rates are calculated as first-time passes, excluding retests.
The overall national average MOT pass rate is 71.51% based on 32.3 million tests across all manufacturers. Year-specific averages range from ~59% (2009 vehicles) to ~88% (2020 vehicles).
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