Faults:

Brakes need regular maintenance because the calipers tend to rust and get stuck, and the pads and rotors wear out fast. I have replaced two totally seized calipers too.

Auxiliary belt tensioner and intake manifold gasket had to be renewed at about 150 000 km.

Started to rust from almost new, but I have kept that in check with anti-rust wax.

ABS and VSC turned themselves off a few times, but cured with restarting the engine.

Had to be towed to the dealer's once, due to a battery that died on a very cold winter day.

Front bumper is a bit low, so it's easy to smash it into a curb when parking.

Rear section of exhaust and its heat shield replaced recently due to corrosion.

Original plastic wheel covers are flimsy and start to fall out after a couple of years.

The windscreen was worn to the point it had to be replaced, partly because the rain sensor kept the wipers a bit too busy. Replaced the headlights too for the same reason.

Never needed to add oil between changes (15000 km) or change any other chassis components but brakes.

One factory recall due to an airbag.

The automatic transmission oil change interval is 90 000 kilometres, which I think is too much. I have changed it twice as often.

General Comments:

Given the car's modest size and performance, the fuel economy is not very impressive. The suspension handles speed bumps and poor roads quite well, never bottoms out, and it's really not too stiff either. Acceleration at city speeds in quite good. Road noise on rough roads is quite high. Steering feels quite dead (but not as bad as in some new Japanese cars) and is vague in cross-winds at motorway speeds.

Ventilation and defrosting is good, but the heater can't cope very well with temperatures below -15 Celsius.

Quite easy to work on with basic tools except the headlight bulbs that are difficult to replace if you can't outsource the job to someone with very small hands! If the manufacturer had paid some more attention to rust prevention, this car would be super-reliable and very durable; now the need to fiddle with brakes and rust issues at least twice a year lets this otherwise solid economy car down.

Faults:

After fifteen years and 425.000 km in the Nordic rainy and snowy roads, the car is beginning to suffer serious rusting problems, which will probably finish the economic life in the next 2-3 years.

Three years ago I changed the front fenders and radiator, last year the rear shock absorber holders had to be re-constructed, and this year we will have again minor welding to keep the car running again, all due rusting.

General Comments:

Using synthetic oils, and timely Toyota dealer maintenance (replacing the usual wear and tear parts), the car keeps running almost like new seemingly forever.

The tiny 1.3 liter 16-valve high rpm engine generates enough power and acceleration for city traffic and worked well enough even in a 800 km trip with full load.

Very economic to use and to maintain, very reliable.

The car is reasonably comfortable, but not made for long distance driving.

Faults:

It is rusting here in Finland because of salted roads, still pretty good shape, welded only two spots.

Somebody is broke passengers door lock, trying to get inside.

I have no bigger problems with this car.

Windshield changed couple, cost about 200 euros, today I am lucky if I get 300 of this...

General Comments:

Good car.

Starts even -25 Celsius.

Faults:

The car overheated on the first day out.

Slight rust problem, a very common thing with older cars in Finland.

Steering wobble, which has been fixed.

General Comments:

This car is fabulous for reliability and running costs, looks good and doesn't interest thieves.

My car is immaculate, with one previous owner since new.

My next car will also be a Corolla, but a newer model.

My mechanic said, when the Corolla overheated, that any other car would have left you on the side of the road. Only a Toyota can still run after the belts have snapped. And he drives a Mercedes!

Faults:

Renewed shock absorbers when bought. Three broken engines, one transmission, rear axle and much more.

General Comments:

Nice and personal car. It was stolen...