Used car guide

2017 Toyota C-HR hybrid: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the hybrid Toyota C-HR first registered in 2017 (hybrid cars only): we looked at the 30,192 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

30,192MOTs of 2017 hybrid cars, done in 2023–2025
83%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 80%)
7,800typical miles a year
2.7×the usual rate for wipers

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Toyota C-HR hybrid?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Toyota C-HR hybrid than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Wipers2.7× usual
    Toyota C-HR
    7.3% All 2017 cars
    2.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 1.7% of all 2017 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.

  • Headlights2.8× usual
    Toyota C-HR
    3.3% All 2017 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1% of all 2017 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 2017 Toyota C-HR hybrid MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 Toyota C-HR hybrid 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
    14% 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    6% 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults on the 2017 Toyota C-HR hybrid

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 2017 Toyota C-HR hybrid

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 2.7× as often on the 2017 Toyota C-HR hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2017 Toyota C-HR hybrid 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
20231,440Tyres 12%
202218,916Tyres 19%
202135,289Tyres 21%
202048,719Tyres 23%
201952,358Tyres 27%
201854,777Tyres 28%
20161,445Tyres 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 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score