2013 Toyota Auris petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Toyota Auris petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Toyota Auris petrol than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Ball joint dust cover2.1× usual
  Toyota Auris

  4.4% All 2013 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.9% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Link ball joint covers2.3× usual
  Toyota Auris

  3.5% All 2013 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.9% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Common 2013 Toyota Auris petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Toyota Auris petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  26% 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.

• Suspension
  25% 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.

• Brakes
  25% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  16% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Steering
  2% of testsRough price £100–£450

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Known faults on the 2013 Toyota Auris petrol

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.

• Flat battery from the hazard switch (2012–2014 cars)

  Cars built 2012 to 2014

  Brushing the hazard switch so it's half-pressed can drain the battery overnight. A software update fixes it.

  At the viewing: Ask whether the battery has gone flat, and whether the update was done.

  Source: What Car?: used Toyota Auris (2013-2019) reliability

• 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 2013 Toyota Auris petrol

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 ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2013 Toyota Auris petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2013 Toyota Auris petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?