2016 Toyota Auris hybrid: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Toyota Auris hybrid?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Toyota Auris hybrid than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Shock absorbers2.2× usual
  Toyota Auris

  8.3% All 2016 cars

  3.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.8% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Brake lights3.4× usual
  Toyota Auris

  5.4% All 2016 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 1.3% of all 2016 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.

• Number plate lights2.1× usual
  Toyota Auris

  5.6% All 2016 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.8% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Ball joint dust cover2.3× usual
  Toyota Auris

  2.8% All 2016 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.5% of all 2016 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 2016 Toyota Auris hybrid MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Toyota Auris hybrid MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  25% 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
  20% 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
  16% 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
  15% 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
  5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Steering
  1% 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 2016 Toyota Auris hybrid

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.

• Hybrid recalls: inverter and software

  1.8 hybrid

  Hybrids built between May 2013 and May 2014 could overheat their inverter and go into limp mode, and later software recalls covered cars up to 2018.

  At the viewing: Check for warning lights and ask a Toyota dealer to confirm all hybrid recalls are done.

  Source: Auto Express: used Toyota Auris review

• 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 2016 Toyota Auris hybrid

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

1. Has all the recall work been done?
2. Has the boot ever been wet?
3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2016 Toyota Auris hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2016 Toyota Auris hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2016 Toyota Auris hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?