Toyota Tacoma Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Toyota Tacoma car check
Is the Toyota Tacoma reliable? We analysed 1,464 real MOT tests across 441 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Toyota Tacoma? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Toyota Tacoma is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside, side repeater missing and fog lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Toyota Tacoma.
Toyota Tacoma Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Toyota Tacoma. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Toyota Tacoma MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Toyota Tacoma to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Toyota Tacoma Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Toyota Tacoma fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Toyota Tacoma Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Toyota Tacoma owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Toyota Tacoma MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Toyota Tacoma year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 70 | 85.7% | 17,046 | 35,922 | 48,500 |
| 2017 | 95 | 78.9% | 20,979 | 35,701 | 49,607 |
| 2016 | 71 | 78.9% | 31,884 | 49,560 | 63,968 |
| 2015 | 66 | 83.3% | 40,466 | 68,421 | 93,082 |
| 2014 | 53 | 73.6% | 33,654 | 69,825 | 88,134 |
| 2013 | 85 | 81.2% | 32,329 | 57,187 | 87,842 |
| 2012 | 59 | 86.4% | 30,781 | 49,809 | 69,098 |
| 2011 | 66 | 72.7% | 39,617 | 73,630 | 106,245 |
| 2008 | 78 | 76.9% | 33,942 | 77,466 | 103,999 |
| 2007 | 81 | 72.8% | 65,684 | 102,474 | 136,517 |
| 2006 | 65 | 75.4% | 46,056 | 81,309 | 110,750 |
| 2005 | 90 | 81.1% | 43,005 | 72,183 | 118,608 |
| 2004 | 70 | 68.6% | 56,584 | 73,832 | 108,957 |
| 2002 | 62 | 67.7% | 74,071 | 115,422 | 142,444 |
How Long Does a Toyota Tacoma Last?
Based on 441 Toyota Tacoma vehicles on UK roads.
Toyota Tacoma Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Toyota Tacoma MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Toyota Tacoma
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.4% MOT pass rate from 59 tests
67.7% MOT pass rate from 62 tests
The best year to buy a used Toyota Tacoma is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.4% across 59 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 67.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Toyota Tacoma Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Tacoma THIS CAR | 77.8% | 1,464 | 63,768 mi | 24 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 |
| Isuzu D-max Xtr Nav + Auto | 83.5% | 539 | 36,208 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Toyota Yaris (77.7% pass rate) and the Toyota Corolla (75.4% pass rate), the Toyota Tacoma outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Toyota Tacoma you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Toyota TacomaShould you buy a used Toyota Tacoma?
The Toyota Tacoma has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.8% across 1,464 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Toyota Tacoma are headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (31 recorded failures), side repeater missing (23), and fog lamp not working (22). 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 Tacoma owner drives around 6,738 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 Tacoma models stay on UK roads for around 24 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.