2009 Toyota Urban Cruiser: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Toyota Urban Cruisers, from 1,105 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Toyota Urban Cruisers than on all cars registered in 2009.
- Rigid brake pipes1.9× usualToyota Urban Cruiser14.2% All 2009 cars7.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt 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.
- Corroded fuel pipes9.5× usualToyota Urban Cruiser5.7% All 2009 cars0.6%
Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt 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 joints4.9× usualToyota Urban Cruiser5.9% All 2009 cars1.2%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£450 our estimateAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
- Rear reflectors9.6× usualToyota Urban Cruiser4.8% All 2009 cars0.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.1% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Chassis rust or damage2.2× usualToyota Urban Cruiser3.7% All 2009 cars1.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.5% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
Engine oil leaks: 4% here, against 10.4% of all 2009 cars. Shock absorbers: 3.1% here, against 7.5% of all 2009 cars.
By area
The share of 2009 Toyota Urban Cruiser MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Brakes41% 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.
- Suspension39% 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 electrics34% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres28% 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.
- Rust and bodywork13% of testsRough price £150–£1,000
At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
- Exhaust and emissions12% 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 engine or DPF warning lights.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 532 | Brakes 39% |
| 2011 | 900 | Brakes 43% |
| 2010 | 1,031 | Brakes 40% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Toyota Urban Cruisers registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score