Used car guide

2016 Toyota C-HR: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Toyota C-HR first registered in 2016: we looked at the 1,445 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,445MOTs of 2016 cars, done in 2023–2025
83%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 77%)
7,200typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for wipers

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Toyota C-HR?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Toyota C-HR than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Wipers2.2× usual
    Toyota C-HR
    5.6% All 2016 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.6% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Headlights2.2× usual
    Toyota C-HR
    3.1% All 2016 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.3% of all 2016 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.

Common 2016 Toyota C-HR MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Toyota C-HR MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    28% 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
    22% 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
    9% 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
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Suspension
    8% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    1% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Known faults on the 2016 Toyota C-HR

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.

  • Six recalls (2017–2019)

    All engines

    Recalls covered hybrid drive parts that might not have been bolted together properly, leaking fuel tanks, ESP software, engine-bay wiring that could chafe and cause a fire, badly fitted rear wheel bearings (cars built June to Aug 2018) and seat side airbags.

    At the viewing: Ask a Toyota dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: Auto Express: used Toyota C-HR (Mk1, 2017-2023) buyer’s guide

  • Cracked windscreen

    All engines

    Cracked windscreens are the most talked-about fault, often in the top right corner. Replacement means recalibrating the safety cameras.

    At the viewing: Look closely at the whole screen for cracks and chips.

    Source: Auto Express: used Toyota C-HR (Mk1, 2017-2023) buyer’s guide

  • Wind noise and sat nav glitches

    All engines

    Some owners report wind noise from the door and window seals, and sat nav glitches.

    At the viewing: Listen at motorway speed and try the sat nav.

    Source: Auto Express: used Toyota C-HR (Mk1, 2017-2023) buyer’s guide

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Toyota C-HR

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

  1. Have all the recalls been done? Can a Toyota dealer confirm from the VIN?
  2. Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2016 Toyota C-HR as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2016 Toyota C-HR as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Toyota C-HR?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Toyota C-HR compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
20231,443Tyres 12%
202218,920Tyres 19%
202135,295Tyres 21%
202048,721Tyres 23%
201952,358Tyres 27%
201854,786Tyres 28%
201741,551Tyres 28%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Toyota C-HR cars first registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score