2012 Toyota Verso diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Toyota Verso diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Toyota Verso diesel than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Rigid brake pipes3.8× usual
  Toyota Verso

  19% All 2012 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.8% of all 2012 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.

• Number plate lights2.3× usual
  Toyota Verso

  15.4% All 2012 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 2% of all 2012 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.

• Sidelights2.7× usual
  Toyota Verso

  12.9% All 2012 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 12.5%, against 4.1% of all 2012 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.

• Horn19.5× usual
  Toyota Verso

  7.8% All 2012 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 0.4% of all 2012 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.

• Individual direction indicators2.3× usual
  Toyota Verso

  6.7% All 2012 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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.

Common 2012 Toyota Verso diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Toyota Verso diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  44% 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
  37% 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
  34% 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
  32% 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
  10% 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
  7% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Toyota Verso diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the 2012 Toyota Verso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2012 Toyota Verso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2012 Toyota Verso diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?