2017 Toyota Auris diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Toyota Auris diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Toyota Auris diesel than on all cars registered in 2017.

• Shock absorbers2.9× usual
  Toyota Auris

  8.7% All 2017 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.5% of all 2017 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.5× usual
  Toyota Auris

  9.4% All 2017 cars

  3.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.7% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Braking performance2.7× usual
  Toyota Auris

  4.3% All 2017 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.5% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Brake lights3.4× usual
  Toyota Auris

  3.7% All 2017 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 0.9% of all 2017 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.

• Ball joint dust cover3.3× usual
  Toyota Auris

  3% All 2017 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.4% of all 2017 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 2017 Toyota Auris diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 Toyota Auris diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  28% 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.

• Brakes
  23% 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.

• Suspension
  23% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  12% 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
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  3% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Known faults on the 2017 Toyota Auris diesel

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.

• Particulate filter (diesel)

  Diesel

  Diesels need a fast motorway run every few weeks to clean their particulate filter.

  At the viewing: Ask what journeys it does, and watch for a DPF warning.

  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 2017 Toyota Auris diesel

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 shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2017 Toyota Auris diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2017 Toyota Auris diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2017 Toyota Auris diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?