2019 Toyota Auris hybrid: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 Toyota Auris hybrid?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2019 Toyota Auris hybrid than on all cars registered in 2019.

• Brake lights11.4× usual
  Toyota Auris

  5.7% All 2019 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 0.4% of all 2019 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 lights4× usual
  Toyota Auris

  4.4% All 2019 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.4% of all 2019 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.

• Shock absorbers2.2× usual
  Toyota Auris

  4.4% All 2019 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.3% of all 2019 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.

• Headlights3.9× usual
  Toyota Auris

  3.1% All 2019 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.8% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Common 2019 Toyota Auris hybrid MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2019 Toyota Auris hybrid MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  23% 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
  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.

• Brakes
  12% 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
  8% 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.

• 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2019 Toyota Auris hybrid

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

1. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 11.4× as often on the 2019 Toyota Auris hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2019 Toyota Auris hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2019 Toyota Auris hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?