Toyota Corolla Tail Lights: Specs, Fitment & Common Faults

On the Corolla, never block a tail light's vent holes, even though it seems like a sensible way to keep moisture out.

Generation covered: this guide is for the twelfth-generation Corolla (E210 platform, 2018–present), with particular focus on 2018–2023 registered examples now old enough for parts to be a common search. Earlier Corolla generations use entirely different part numbers — check your logbook or VIN if you're unsure which generation you have.

Illustration for editorial purposes

A Genuinely Important Warning Worth Knowing Before Attempting a DIY Fix

Tail lights have small, deliberate vent holes built in specifically for pressure balance — never block or seal these, even if it seems like a sensible way to keep moisture out, since doing so can cause severe deformation or cracking of the housing instead. Light fogging that clears within a few hours, particularly after a wash or temperature change, is normal physics rather than a fault; only persistent water pooling or corrosion on the internal reflector genuinely needs addressing.

A genuinely useful, documented drying technique worth knowing: if you do need to dry out a genuinely wet tail light, place the light inside a cardboard box with the bulb opening facing outward, cut a hole for a hair dryer or heat gun on the opposite side, and use indirect heat through the box rather than pointing a heat source directly at the plastic housing, which risks melting or warping it.

It's also worth knowing that a broken seal, rather than the light unit's design, is the most common genuine cause of persistent water ingress rather than simple condensation — worth distinguishing between the two before assuming a full replacement is necessary.

More Wiring Behind There Than Most People Assume

A tail light unit typically bundles several functions into one housing — brake light, indicator, reversing light and rear fog light — which means a single electrical fault can affect more than one function at once, and a "faulty tail light" can mean several genuinely different things.

Before you buy: tail light design and bulb type vary by trim and facelift status. Always confirm against your VIN before ordering.

Toyota Corolla Tail Lights reference plate

OEM Part Numbers

Accuracy note: the Corolla Saloon uses separate inner (boot-mounted) and outer (quarter-panel) tail lights — genuinely different parts. The Hatchback uses a simpler single outer assembly per side. Confirm your body style before ordering.

Hatchback, outer lens & housing (left)	Toyota OEM: 8156112D31
Hatchback, outer lens & housing (right)	Toyota OEM: 8155112D31
Saloon inner assembly	Different reference to the outer — Saloon uses both an inner and outer light per side

If your Corolla is a Saloon and you're only replacing the outer tail light, double-check whether the inner light (mounted to the boot lid) is also damaged — they're separate parts, and it's easy to order only one when both need attention.

What It Does

Beyond basic rear visibility, tail light units on the Corolla typically integrate brake lights, indicators, reversing lights and rear fog lights into a single housing. Higher trims may use LED units with a distinct light signature, which are not interchangeable with standard halogen units even if the physical mounting looks similar.

Fitment & Compatibility

Tail light design changed between generations of the Corolla, and facelifted versions within the same generation often use a revised light signature that isn't interchangeable with pre-facelift units. Always confirm the exact part for your specific model year before ordering. Whether you're sourcing a replacement tail lights for your Toyota Corolla from a dealer, specialist, or online marketplace, always check compatibility against your registration or VIN before buying, and confirm you're ordering the correct side — driver's side (RH in the UK) or passenger side (LH in the UK) — since these are not interchangeable.

Common Faults, DIY Difficulty & Aftermarket Advice

These are the same regardless of make or model — see our full Tail Lights Guide for diagnosing which circuit has failed, how easy this job is to DIY, and aftermarket advice.

More Toyota Tail Lights

The same part, covered across other Toyota models.