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Toyota Aqua MOT pass rate and common problems

92.4% of 2,476 Toyota Aqua MOT tests pass.

The Aqua passes its MOT 92.4% of the time — well above the average across all Toyota models, which sits at 82.3%.

The Toyota Aqua passes its MOT 92.4% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.

Own this Toyota Aqua?

This is the average across every Toyota Aqua in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.

Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →

How to check and keep your Toyota’s service history →

Pass rate by vehicle age

Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 94.3% at 0–3 years to 90.7% at 10–15 years.

Pass rate by vehicle age band0–3 years94.3%3–6 years99.1%6–10 years94.2%10–15 years90.7%15+ yearsn/a
Toyota Aqua pass rate and average mileage by vehicle age band
Vehicle agePass rateTestsAverage mileage
0–3 years94.3%7065,901 miles
3–6 years99.1%22037,352 miles
6–10 years94.2%58847,993 miles
10–15 years90.7%1,59856,553 miles
15+ yearsno tests recorded0no reading

Common MOT failure reasons for the Toyota Aqua

The most common reason the Toyota Aqua fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 67.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".

Top MOT failure categories for the Toyota Aqua
CategoryShare of failed testsExample
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment67.9%Not working
Suspension29.9%Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
Tyres17.1%Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Visibility14.0%Does not clear the windscreen effectively
Brakes4.4%Less than 1.5 mm thick
Identification of the vehicle1.9%Does not conform to the specified requirements
Road Wheels1.2%Fixing loose
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems0.9%Buckle missing
Noise, emissions and leaks0.6%Inoperative or indicates a malfunction
Body, chassis, structure0.6%Damaged and likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted

Buying a used Toyota Aqua: what to check

These checks follow the Toyota Aqua’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.

The biggest drop in pass rate for the Toyota Aqua comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 99.1% to 94.2%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.

By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 88.7% down to 81.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.

  1. 1. Lights and electrics

    Recorded in 67.9% of failed Toyota Aqua MOTs.

    Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.

  2. 2. Suspension

    Recorded in 29.9% of failed Toyota Aqua MOTs.

    Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.

  3. 3. Tyres

    Recorded in 17.1% of failed Toyota Aqua MOTs.

    Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.

  4. 4. Windscreen and wipers

    Recorded in 14.0% of failed Toyota Aqua MOTs.

    Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.

  5. 5. Brakes

    Recorded in 4.4% of failed Toyota Aqua MOTs.

    On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.

Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.

Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Toyota service history and what a service history check can tell you.

Related Toyota models

Frequently asked questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Toyota Aqua?
92.4% of Toyota Aqua MOT tests pass, based on 2,476 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
What are the most common MOT failures for the Toyota Aqua?
The most common reason the Toyota Aqua fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 67.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
What are the common problems with the Toyota Aqua?
Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Toyota Aqua are lights and electrics; suspension; tyres.
What should I check when buying a used Toyota Aqua?
Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; tyres; windscreen and wipers; brakes. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
Does this show the Toyota Aqua's service history?
No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Toyota service history guide for how to check and keep one.