Toyota Aygo common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Toyota Aygo, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 760,392 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 2024 Toyota Aygo
Cars registered in 2024 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Toyota Aygo as a whole.
What to check on a 2024 car
- Warranty left
Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.
- Servicing
Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.
- Finance
Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.
- Recalls
Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.
- Logbook (V5C)
The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005
Generation guides: Toyota Aygo Mk1 (2005–2014) · Toyota Aygo Mk2 (2014–2022)
What usually goes wrong with a Toyota Aygo?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2005–2013 · Manual gearbox
Squeaking or failing clutch
A squeak from underneath as you let the clutch out, with a stiff gear change, points to a worn clutch.
At the viewing: Listen as you pull away, and try every gear.
If it needs doing: Clutch replacement, about £250–£600. ClickMechanic
- Cars registered 2005–2013 · Manual gearbox
Gear cable that can snap
One of the gear cables can fail suddenly, leaving no gears at all.
At the viewing: Make sure every gear goes in cleanly, including reverse.
- Cars registered 2014–2015 · Built Sept to Oct 2014
Steering column recall (very early cars)
A small batch of cars built in September and October 2014 was recalled because the steering column could collapse.
At the viewing: If the car was built in late 2014, ask a dealer to check the VIN for the recall.
- Cars registered 2005–2013 · All
Heavy steering
Heavy steering can mean a failing power steering control unit, which is replaced as a whole.
At the viewing: Turn the wheel at a standstill and at low speed: it should feel light.
- Cars registered 2014–2022 · x-shift automatic
Clunky 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.
- Cars registered 2014–2022 · All engines
Engine turns over but won't start
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.
Common Toyota Aygo MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Anti-roll bar link bushes
up to 38× usualStands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) CheckatradeAt 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.
Braking performance
up to 2.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Rough price £100–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
Rigid brake pipes
up to 3.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
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.
Rust around suspension or steering mountings
up to 4.4× usualStands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
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.
Wheel bearings
up to 2.9× usualStands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2014.
Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.
Wheels
up to 5× usualStands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2022.
Rough price £70–£150 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Toyota Aygo MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2016 Toyota Aygo did best (84% passed first time, 7 points above all 2016 cars) and the 2005 did worst (48%, 9 points below all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 96% | 92% +4 | 347 (small sample) |
| 2022 | 93% | 89% +4 | 1,911 |
| 2021 | 91% | 87% +4 | 33,968 |
| 2020 | 90% | 87% +3 | 49,415 |
| 2019 | 88% | 85% +3 | 65,565 |
| 2018 | 86% | 83% +3 | 64,964 |
| 2017 | 85% | 80% +5 | 63,572 |
| 2016 | 84% | 77% +7 | 65,800 |
| 2015 | 81% | 74% +7 | 68,671 |
| 2014 | 76% | 70% +6 | 57,420 |
| 2013 | 70% | 67% +3 | 45,166 |
| 2012 | 66% | 64% +2 | 44,125 |
| 2011 | 63% | 62% +1 | 38,154 |
| 2010 | 61% | 60% +1 | 35,096 |
| 2009 | 59% | 59% +0 | 37,632 |
| 2008 | 54% | 57% -3 | 33,723 |
| 2007 | 54% | 57% -3 | 27,685 |
| 2006 | 52% | 56% -4 | 22,941 |
| 2005 | 48% | 57% -9 | 4,237 |
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Toyota Aygo
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Has the clutch been replaced?
- Have the gear cables been replaced?
- Has all the recall work been done?
- Has the steering had any work?
- Has the gearbox or clutch had any work?
- How old is the battery?
Looking at a Toyota Aygo?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score