2012 Toyota Auris electric: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Toyota Auris electric?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Toyota Auris electric than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Rigid brake pipes3.6× usual
  Toyota Auris

  18.2% All 2012 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Sidelights2.4× usual
  Toyota Auris

  11.3% All 2012 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 11.1%, against 4.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Exhaust system2.2× usual
  Toyota Auris

  11.1% All 2012 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Horn9.5× usual
  Toyota Auris

  3.8% All 2012 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 0.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Side repeaters3.4× usual
  Toyota Auris

  4.1% All 2012 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

Common 2012 Toyota Auris electric MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Toyota Auris electric MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  35% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Tyres
  30% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Lights and electrics
  29% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Suspension
  28% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Exhaust and emissions
  11% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2012 Toyota Auris electric

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Water in the boot

  All engines

  Failed seals on the rear lights and tailgate can let water into the boot and mist up the windows.

  At the viewing: Lift the boot floor and feel the carpet for damp.

  Source: Auto Express: used Toyota Auris review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Toyota Auris electric

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the boot ever been wet?
2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2012 Toyota Auris electric as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2012 Toyota Auris electric as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2012 Toyota Auris electric as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?