2009 Toyota Urban Cruiser petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Toyota Urban Cruiser petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Toyota Urban Cruiser petrol than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Brake discs1.7× usual
  Toyota Urban Cruiser

  23.6% All 2009 cars

  14.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

• Headlights1.8× usual
  Toyota Urban Cruiser

  13.1% All 2009 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 3.8% of all 2009 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.

• Rear reflectors11.8× usual
  Toyota Urban Cruiser

  4.7% All 2009 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.1% of all 2009 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.

• Corroded fuel pipes8.6× usual
  Toyota Urban Cruiser

  4.3% All 2009 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 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.

• Steering swivel joints4.5× usual
  Toyota Urban Cruiser

  4.9% All 2009 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 2009 Toyota Urban Cruiser petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Toyota Urban Cruiser petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  38% 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
  31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• 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.

• Suspension
  30% 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
  11% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Toyota Urban Cruiser petrol

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 discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2009 Toyota Urban Cruiser petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2009 Toyota Urban Cruiser petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the rear reflectors? (Flagged at MOT 11.8× as often on the 2009 Toyota Urban Cruiser petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?