Toyota iQ (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 3,855 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,600

£133/month

MOT Pass Rate

87%

Good

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

996cc Petrol

Solid Option

87% pass rate, £1,600/year to run. 5 points above average.

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Petrol996cc14 years old3,855 tests63k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 996cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£20

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,600

Per month£133/mo

Per week£31/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.

Reliability Verdict

87% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data.

87% of MOT tests on Toyota iQs from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 3,855 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 62,591 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models188th of 650(top half)

Rank among Toyota models414th of 970(top half)

vs average of all models+5%(82% avg)

vs 2012 models average+9%(78% avg)

vs Toyota average+3%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

62,591

Average miles

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Toyota iQ had 62,591 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2014 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 91%, while the 2010 model has the lowest at 84%. The 2012 scores 87%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Toyota iQ by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2014	91%	1,341	46,428 mi
2013	88%	2,091	54,018 mi
2012	87%	3,855	62,591 mi
2011	86%	4,215	67,452 mi
2010	84%	6,321	75,707 mi
2009	84%	10,585	78,425 mi
2008	88%	32	70,732 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2014 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

79%

-8%

Vauxhall Corsa

2014 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

76%

-11%

Volkswagen Polo

2011 · 1198cc Petrol

£1,900/year

75%

-12%

Peugeot 208

2013 · 999cc Petrol

£1,750/year

75%

-12%

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About the 2012 Toyota iQ

The 2012 Toyota iQ is a city car. Our records list a 996cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 3,855 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2012, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 62,591 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Toyota iQ owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 Toyota iQ Fuel Costs

The modest 996cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 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).

What does it cost to own a 2012 Toyota iQ?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,600 (£133/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 87% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Toyota iQ Reliability Trend

Newer Toyota iQs pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 4 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2012 Toyota iQ

At 14 years old, the Toyota iQ is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2014 model has the highest pass rate at 91%.

What the 2012 Toyota iQ Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 546 MOT tests on the 2012 Toyota iQ that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

Lights and electrics47%
Same age: 43%
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors22%
Same age: 14% (fails on this more often)
Suspension22%
Same age: 39% (fails on this less often)
Brakes22%
Same age: 22%

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · Toyota iQ reliability, common problems and years to avoid

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.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

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 2012 Toyota iQ 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 iQ(2012)	87%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600
Ford Fiesta(2014)	79%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750+£150
Vauxhall Corsa(2014)	76%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£553
Volkswagen Polo(2011)	75%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£1,900+£300
Peugeot 208(2013)	75%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750+£150

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 2012 Toyota iQ

Is the 2012 Toyota iQ reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 87% of MOT tests on 2012 Toyota iQs ended in a pass, from 3,855 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 5 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2012 Toyota iQ cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,600 a year (£133 a month): £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Toyota iQ?

87% of 3,855 MOT tests on the 2012 Toyota iQ ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 188th of 650 models first registered in 2012 (top half).

Which year Toyota iQ has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2014 Toyota iQ has the highest MOT pass rate at 91% and the 2010 the lowest at 84%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2012 Toyota iQ?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Toyota iQ is 62,591 miles, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.