Toyota
Carina
1,764 MOT tests analysed. lands in the middle of the pack — here's where Carinas pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 7.5 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
70.0%
Pass-after-fix
4.6%
Fail
23.6%
Avg miles
110,389
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
This model's production run straddles the January 2006 Euro 4 cutoff. Individual cars vary — check your registration plate on the government's ULEZ checker. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
Carina: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 891 MOT tests, the Carina returns 68.1% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a split CV-joint boot. The strength or continuity of the load bearing and a missing CV-joint boot round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 112,626, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 10–28
Below the fleet average — generally reasonable to insure. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
10–28
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
104 occurrences · 5.9% of tests
- 02
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
72 occurrences · 4.1% of tests
- 03
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
66 occurrences · 3.7% of tests
- 04
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
66 occurrences · 3.7% of tests
- 05
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
63 occurrences · 3.6% of tests
- 06
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
61 occurrences · 3.5% of tests
- 07
Wiper blade defective
55 occurrences · 3.1% of tests
- 08
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
44 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
- 09
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
41 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 10
Exhaust system leaking or insecure
37 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
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Recall history
1 UK recall on record.
The Carina has 1 official UK vehicle recall covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Buying or keeping a Carina?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Carina and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.