2019 Toyota Aygo: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 Toyota Aygo?

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

• Anti-roll bar link bushes23× usual
  Toyota Aygo

  2.3% All 2019 cars

  0.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Brake lights4× usual
  Toyota Aygo

  2% All 2019 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, 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.

• Shock absorbers1.7× usual
  Toyota Aygo

  3.3% All 2019 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, 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.

Common 2019 Toyota Aygo MOT failures and advisories

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

• Tyres
  25% 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
  16% 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
  7% 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
  6% 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
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  1% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2019 Toyota Aygo

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.

• Clunky x-shift automatic

  x-shift automatic

  The optional 2-Tronic is an automated manual, not a true automatic. It can feel jerky and owners rate it poorly.

  At the viewing: Drive it in traffic and pull away several times. Make sure you can live with how it changes gear.

  Source: Auto Express: used Peugeot 108 review

• Engine turns over but won't start

  All engines

  Some owners report the engine cranking without firing. A tired battery is the usual cause.

  At the viewing: Start the car from cold yourself and watch for slow cranking.

  Source: Auto Express: used Peugeot 108 review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2019 Toyota Aygo

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

1. Has the gearbox or clutch had any work?
2. How old is the battery?
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 23× as often on the 2019 Toyota Aygo as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2019 Toyota Aygo as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2019 Toyota Aygo as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?