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Toyota Ipsum Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Toyota Ipsum reliable? We analysed 4,018 real MOT tests across 382 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 4,018 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
72.4%
Typical Mileage
98,129mi
Annual Mileage
6,666mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
30yrs

The Toyota Ipsum is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, constant velocity joint gaiter split and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Toyota Ipsum.

Toyota Ipsum Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Toyota Ipsum. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Toyota Ipsum MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Toyota Ipsum to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

80.4%
2019
83%
2018
81.8%
2017
75.2%
2016
80.8%
2015
72%
2013
75.4%
2009
73%
2008
73%
2007
71.4%
2006
70.1%
2005
71.8%
2004
72.5%
2003
76.7%
2002
75.9%
2001
75.5%
1998
69.3%
1997
67.4%
1996

Toyota Ipsum Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Toyota Ipsum fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 181
constant velocity joint gaiter split 144
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 119
position lamp(s) not working 102
Stop lamp not working 84
fog lamp not working 81
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 79
Registration plate lamp not working 74
Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush 46
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 45

Toyota Ipsum Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Toyota Ipsum owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
4,026 mi/yr
Typical
6,666 mi/yr
Average
8,588 mi/yr
Heavy usage
10,551 mi/yr

Toyota Ipsum MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Toyota Ipsum year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2019 92 80.4% 56,891 75,180 100,724
2018 153 83.0% 50,700 69,590 97,384
2017 110 81.8% 44,610 60,309 88,153
2016 121 75.2% 40,883 63,312 105,669
2015 99 80.8% 48,962 76,669 92,960
2013 50 72.0% 78,008 102,844 127,112
2009 69 75.4% 43,899 79,224 96,608
2008 152 73.0% 68,779 90,765 127,203
2007 455 73.0% 62,070 94,971 132,860
2006 353 71.4% 68,522 104,018 135,204
2005 311 70.1% 75,216 105,509 138,309
2004 262 71.8% 87,987 120,276 150,085
2003 229 72.5% 74,537 100,886 138,624
2002 60 76.7% 63,048 84,629 109,608
2001 108 75.9% 55,941 92,722 128,893
1998 94 75.5% 57,236 82,144 130,584
1997 293 69.3% 82,388 102,903 144,588
1996 742 67.4% 92,591 121,984 162,368

How Long Does a Toyota Ipsum Last?

Based on 382 Toyota Ipsum vehicles on UK roads.

Average
11.8 years
Median
12.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
30 years

Toyota Ipsum Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Toyota Ipsum MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
98,129 mi
75th Percentile
134,655 mi
95th Percentile
201,177 mi
Max Recorded
521,748 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Toyota Ipsum

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2018

83.0% MOT pass rate from 153 tests

Year to avoid
1996

67.4% MOT pass rate from 742 tests

The best year to buy a used Toyota Ipsum is 2018, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.0% across 153 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 67.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Toyota Ipsum Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Toyota Ipsum THIS CAR 72.4% 4,018 98,129 mi 30 yrs
Toyota Yaris 77.7% 9,038,234 54,896 mi 27 yrs
Toyota Corolla 75.4% 4,239,724 75,409 mi 36 yrs
Toyota Avensis 75% 3,497,866 89,776 mi 28 yrs
Hyundai Coupe Special Equipment 63.9% 1,886 87,956 mi 30 yrs

Compared to the Toyota Yaris (77.7% pass rate) and the Toyota Corolla (75.4% pass rate), the Toyota Ipsum trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Toyota Ipsum?

The Toyota Ipsum has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.4% across 4,018 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Toyota Ipsum are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (181 recorded failures), constant velocity joint gaiter split (144), and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (119). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Toyota Ipsum owner drives around 6,666 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Toyota Ipsum models stay on UK roads for around 30 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Toyota Ipsum — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Toyota Ipsum reliable?
Based on 4,018 MOT tests, the Toyota Ipsum has a 72.4% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Toyota Ipsum?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, constant velocity joint gaiter split, and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Toyota Ipsum do per year?
The typical Toyota Ipsum does around 6,666 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Toyota Ipsum last?
Most Toyota Ipsum models stay on UK roads for around 30 years based on our analysis of 382 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Toyota Ipsum?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Toyota Ipsum?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Toyota Ipsum is 2018 with a 83.0% pass rate across 153 tests.