Used Toyota Corolla Touring Sports 2019-present reliability review

What should I look for in a used Toyota Corolla?

When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.

The Corolla Touring Sports will have been used in an urban setting, so it’s worth checking for bumps and scrapes on the bodywork and look for any damage on the wheels. Make sure all the electrical equipment on board works as it should. It’s also a good motorway tool, so check for stone chips to the bodywork and windscreen.

Is a used Toyota Corolla reliable?

The Corolla came sixth out of 26 cars in the family car class in our latest What Car? Reliability Survey with an overall score of 96.4%.

Reliability rating 96.4%

While the vast majority of Toyota Corollas were fault-free, 12% of owners told us their cars had been troubled by a trio of issues: problems with their 12-volt battery, bodywork and the sat-nav/infotainment system. These things didn't cause too much upset, though. Just over half of the affected cars were fixed in a day or less and 82% of work was paid for by Toyota. And those who were presented with bills didn't have to pay more than £200 per repair.

The Toyota brand sits in sixth place in the latest survey, with a rating of 96.1%. This is a little down on the previous year, when it was in second place with a score of 97.4%.

Overall, the brand has a low fault rate of 14% and the two main areas of concern for owners were the 12-volt battery and bodywork issues. The car maker covered the cost of repairs in 75% of instances, and two-thirds of cars were back on the road in a day or less.

Reliability rating 96.1%

Toyota's excellent finish shows that dependability isn’t the preserve of premium brands. In fact, some of its smallest, most affordable models are the highest achievers. The 2011-2020 Toyota Yaris scored 99.3% and just 3% of its owners said their cars had gone wrong. The current Toyota Yaris isn’t far behind, with a rating of 98.6% and the Yaris Cross small SUV gets 98.0%.

Used Toyota Corolla reliability: the owners' view

Overall, the Toyota Corolla is highly regarded for its reliability, with few reports of any significant mechanical issues. Minor glitches, particularly with the infotainment system and some electronic features, were noted, but these were typically resolved swiftly and under warranty by dealerships.

The dealer service received high praise for responsiveness and professionalism. However, several readers pointed out that repair costs, when out of warranty, could be expensive, although these instances were relatively rare. Positive dealer interactions contributed to customer satisfaction, reinforcing the Corolla's reputation as a dependable vehicle. Indeed the Toyota Corolla remains a solid choice for those seeking a reliable car with an outstanding dealer support network.

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