Toyota Corolla (2021)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 1,308 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,086

£174/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1798cc Hybrid

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £2,086/year to run. 12 points above average.

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Hybrid1798cc5 years old1,308 tests40k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Hybrid, 1798cc)

~36 mpg (petrol-engine estimate; hybrids usually use less)

£1,631

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,086

Per month£174/mo

Per week£40/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Toyota brand average of 84%.

94% of MOT tests on Toyota Corollas from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 1,308 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 39,747 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 models1124th of 3,336(top half)

Rank among Toyota models188th of 970(top 20%)

vs average of all models+12%(82% avg)

vs 2021 models average+2%(92% avg)

vs Toyota average+10%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

39,747

Average miles

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2021 Toyota Corolla had 39,747 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is well above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%, while the 1995 model has the lowest at 67%. The 2021 scores 94%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Toyota Corolla by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2023	100%	75	18,202 mi
2022	94%	401	42,043 mi
2021	94%	1,308	39,747 mi
2020	95%	2,524	57,912 mi
2019	93%	24,005	58,242 mi
2018	95%	86	48,003 mi
2017	93%	57	61,135 mi
2016	94%	79	90,072 mi
2015	89%	76	90,127 mi
2014	88%	122	71,225 mi
2012	78%	32	128,314 mi
2011	80%	40	100,568 mi
2010	80%	170	112,661 mi
2009	79%	2,149	118,336 mi
2008	79%	5,732	126,408 mi
2007	77%	7,949	119,960 mi
2006	77%	21,442	106,653 mi
2005	76%	19,418	108,282 mi
2004	73%	13,180	106,596 mi
2003	72%	9,687	104,448 mi
2002	74%	6,605	104,736 mi
2001	76%	3,343	97,253 mi
2000	75%	2,046	97,694 mi
1999	73%	3,483	102,510 mi
1998	72%	3,048	101,653 mi
1997	76%	1,582	102,772 mi
1996	80%	528	100,779 mi
1995	67%	522	98,779 mi
1994	76%	533	104,731 mi
1993	78%	469	107,208 mi
1992	81%	414	101,100 mi
1991	84%	180	81,805 mi
1990	81%	209	88,425 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Toyota Yaris

2019 · 1497cc Hybrid

£1,853/year

93%

-1%

MINI Cooper S

2019 · 1499cc Hybrid

£1,853/year

92%

-2%

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

2019 · 1997cc Hybrid

£2,086/year

94%

same

Toyota Prius

2019 · 1797cc Hybrid

£2,086/year

94%

same

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About the 2021 Toyota Corolla

The 2021 Toyota Corolla is a family car. Our records list a 1798cc hybrid engine, though engines vary between versions. 1,308 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 39,747 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Toyota Corolla owners cover more miles than the average driver. High-mileage examples should be checked carefully for wear on suspension, brakes, and drivetrain components.

2021 Toyota Corolla Fuel Costs

The 1798cc hybrid engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Our estimate uses around 36 mpg, the figure for a petrol engine of this size, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). As a hybrid it should use less than that, and real-world fuel costs depend a lot on how much electric-only driving you do.

What does it cost to own a 2021 Toyota Corolla?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,086 (£174/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Toyota Corolla Reliability Trend

Newer Toyota Corollas pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 5 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2021 Toyota Corolla

At 5 years old, the Toyota Corolla offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 95%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Hybrid Battery Health

Medium risk

After 5 years, hybrid battery capacity may have reduced. A full replacement costs £2,000-£4,000, though reconditioning is cheaper at £500-£1,500.

Inverter and Power Electronics

Low risk

The inverter converts DC to AC for the electric motor. Failures are expensive (£1,500+) but relatively rare. Listen for unusual buzzing sounds.

Regenerative Braking

Medium risk

Brake discs can corrode from reduced use (the electric motor handles most braking). Surface rust is normal but deep pitting needs attention.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2021 Toyota Corolla stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Toyota Corolla(2021)	94%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,086
Toyota Yaris(2019)	93%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£233
MINI Cooper S(2019)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£233
Land Rover Range Rover Sport(2019)	94%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,086same
Toyota Prius(2019)	94%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,086same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2021 Toyota Corolla

Is the 2021 Toyota Corolla reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of MOT tests on 2021 Toyota Corollas ended in a pass, from 1,308 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2021 Toyota Corolla cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,086 a year (£174 a month): £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Toyota Corolla?

94% of 1,308 MOT tests on the 2021 Toyota Corolla ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 1124th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (top half).

Which year Toyota Corolla has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 Toyota Corolla has the highest MOT pass rate at 95% and the 1995 the lowest at 67%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2021 Toyota Corolla?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Toyota Corolla is 39,747 miles, which is well above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.