The Toyota Corolla is a small family car that has been a staple of the Australian market for decades. The current generation, which was introduced in 2018, is available in both sedan and hatchback body styles.

It’s powered by either a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine or a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder petrol-hybrid engine. It is available with a choice of six-speed manual or CVT automatic transmissions.

The Corolla is a comfortable and practical car to drive. It has a compliant ride and good handling, and the interior is spacious and well-equipped.

Standard features on the Corolla include a reversing camera, Bluetooth connectivity, and a six-speaker sound system. Higher-spec models add features such as sat-nav, climate control, and a sunroof.

The Corolla has been awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating. It comes standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including seven airbags, electronic stability control, ABS brakes, and active safety tech like AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, all-speed active cruise control lane departure alert with steering assist and road sign assist.

The Corolla is a popular choice for Australian families. It is reliable, fuel-efficient, and affordable. It is also one of the safest cars on the road.

What goes wrong with a used Toyota Corolla (E120)?

Exterior:

There have been reports of water accumulating in the doors. Toyota has addressed this issue through a service bulletin, and most cases have been rectified under warranty. Fortunately, resolving this matter is straightforward. For the front doors, simply remove the front plug, and for the rear doors, remove the rear plug. This simple action effectively resolves the problem.

Additionally, there have been occasional reports of windshields being vulnerable to stone chips and cracks. While not classified as a widespread issue, there are a few documented instances. The driving conditions and circumstances leading to these occurrences remain uncertain.

Interior:

Moving to the interior, some users have expressed concerns about the earlier infotainment systems exhibiting occasional glitches. Issues such as Bluetooth dropouts and partial functionality malfunctions have been reported. However, these concerns can typically be addressed through a software update, which can resolve the system’s performance issues.

In rare instances, there have been sporadic complaints about electronic malfunctions, with some switches experiencing operational issues. Fortunately, such occurrences are not commonplace, and when they do arise, they are generally addressed and remedied under warranty.

Apart from these isolated instances, there are no other commonly reported faults in the Corolla’s interior.

Mechanically:

The current-generation Toyota Corolla is equipped with reliable 4-cylinder engines, typical of modern-day Toyota vehicles. These engines are known for their durability and lack common expensive issues that could lead to catastrophic failures.

Around 2020, some 1.8 models experienced valve train complications, but these issues were often addressed under warranty. Additionally, there were instances of EGR complications, with some units experiencing either seized open or closed mechanisms.

A minor concern observed was a leaking water pump. Owners of manual examples also reported a noisy clutch pedal, specifically related to the clutch master cylinder, which, though not broken or an issue, can be annoying.

For those preferring the car to change gears itself, unlike many CVTs on the used market, the Toyota unit is proving to be very dependable as well. In general, these vehicles exhibit solid performance, and with proper servicing, issues are unlikely to arise.

In terms of the Hybrid systems, the Corolla shares much of its Hybrid equipment with a host of other Toyota models, and as the Prius has proven, these systems can often see hundreds of thousands of kilometres with minimal to no issue. 

Even when heavily used and eventually having issues, replacement of battery cells and repairs for Toyota Hybrid systems are generally quite simple and cost-effective, not something this generation of Corolla will have to worry about for many years to come.

It’s worth noting that adhering to the recommended service intervals is crucial for the longevity of the vehicle. Toyota suggests service intervals of 15,000 kms, and 7,500 kms under harsh conditions, with many owners unaware that short-distance stop-start city traffic qualifies as harsh conditions. To ensure optimal performance, servicing every 10,000 kms is advisable.

Recalls:

• April 2020 – 780 units of the 2020 Toyota Corolla are affected by a fault where the reverse lights may stop working due to a wiring harness losing electrical contact, posing a hazard of reduced visibility and increased risk of accidents or injuries.
• August 2020 – Certain Toyota Prius and Corolla Hybrid vehicles from 2014 to 2019, totaling 5,965 units, may experience a software fault that prevents the hybrid system from entering fail-safe mode, posing a risk of accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
• July 2019 – Improperly manufactured brake booster pumps in certain Toyota models (Camry, Corolla, RAV4, Lexus ES300H, Lexus UX250H) from the year 2019 may cause the brake assist function to stop operating while driving, increasing the risk of accidents.

• December 2018 – Some Toyota Corolla vehicles (2,640 units) may have inadequately assembled torque converters in their Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) assembly, posing a risk of loss of motive power during higher load conditions and increasing the risk of accidents, injuries, or death.
• April 2020 – The fuel pump in 85,511 Toyota & Lexus vehicles (including Camry, Corolla, FJ Cruiser, Kluger, Hilux, Prado, LC, GS, IS, LS, NX, RC, RX models from 2013-2020) may stop operating, posing a hazard of power loss while driving, potentially leading to accidents, injuries, or fatalities.

Should you buy a used Toyota Corolla (E120)?

Yes.

There’s not much else to say, really. It’s one of the highest-selling cars of all time and one of the most enduring nameplates in motoring. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t continue that tradition. Sure, they’re not good because they’re popular, they’re popular because they’re good.

Perfect? No car is. The interior design won’t be for everyone, and the back seats aren’t great for adults for long periods of time, the boot is on the small side and the load lip is annoying. But looking past those niggles, under the skin is one of the most mechanically sound cars on the road, and one that should provide trouble-free motoring for years and years.

Especially if you want to save at the pump, the Corolla hybrid is one of the best options if all you want to do is carry yourself and maybe one or two others around town, while only sipping on fuel.

Toyota practically wrote the book on hybrid technology, and the 12th-gen Corolla is a great example of that. Should you buy one? Of course.