Toyota Aqua MOT failures and reliability

The Toyota Aqua is one of the stronger cars at the MOT: 82% of its 1,066 tests in 2025 were passed first time, 10 points better than the 72% for all cars. That ranks it 8th of the 30 Toyota models we cover. Every figure here comes from the DVSA's record of each Toyota Aqua MOT, so it shows what testers found rather than what owners report.

MOT tests in 2025: 1,066
First-time pass rate: 82%
All cars: 72%

Toyota Aqua MOT strengths and weak spots

The Toyota Aqua's weak spot is lights and electrics: 12.1% of its tests failed there, against 10.7% for all cars.

It does best on brakes, where 1.0% of Toyota Aqua tests failed against 6.3% for all cars.

At 13 years old the average Toyota Aqua had covered 68,354 miles, about 5,300 a year.

The single most common failure on the Toyota Aqua was rear fog lamp: not working, on 3.1% of tests.

What the Toyota Aqua fails on

Share of Toyota Aqua tests with at least one failure in each area, beside the figure for all cars.

Lights and electrics12.1% (all cars 10.7%)
Suspension5.3% (all cars 9.1%)
Visibility3.2% (all cars 4.4%)
Tyres2.7% (all cars 6.3%)
Brakes1.0% (all cars 6.3%)
Exhaust and emissions0.6% (all cars 3.1%)
Number plates and VIN0.3% (all cars 0.3%)
Steering0.3% (all cars 2.0%)

Most common failure items

Share of tests on which each item was recorded.

Rear fog lamp: not working 3.1%
Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt 2.7%
Position lamp: not working 2.4%
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively 1.9%
Rear fog lamp: does not emit a steady red light 1.8%
Rear fog lamp: missing 1.5%
Headlamp: not working on dipped beam 1.3%
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1.2%

Most common advisories

Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 9.6%
Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 6.7%
Suspension arms, pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement 4.0%
Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output 2.2%
Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil 2.0%
Brake pads: wearing thin 1.7%
Non-component advisories: Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt 1.1%
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened 1.0%

Typical mileage by age

Average Toyota Aqua odometer reading at the MOT, by age in years at the test.

Age at test	Average mileage
11 years	58,987 miles
12 years	59,178 miles
13 years	68,354 miles

Check a particular Toyota Aqua

The figures above tell you what to look out for on any Toyota Aqua. For one Toyota Aqua's own MOT history, mileage and tax, enter its registration for a free MOT check.

Other Toyota models

Source: Department for Transport, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025, cars and light vans, normal tests only. Pass rates are first-time passes; a pass after repair at the test station counts as a fail. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.