2010 Toyota Urban Cruiser diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2010 Toyota Urban Cruiser diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2010 Toyota Urban Cruiser diesel than on all cars registered in 2010.

• Rigid brake pipes4.4× usual
  Toyota Urban Cruiser

  28.7% All 2010 cars

  6.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.1% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At 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 pipes12× usual
  Toyota Urban Cruiser

  4.8% All 2010 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At 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.

• Transmission oil leaks5.5× usual
  Toyota Urban Cruiser

  5.5% All 2010 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

• Headlights1.8× usual
  Toyota Urban Cruiser

  10.6% All 2010 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 3.4% of all 2010 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.

• Rear reflectors7.8× usual
  Toyota Urban Cruiser

  3.1% All 2010 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.1% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

Common 2010 Toyota Urban Cruiser diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2010 Toyota Urban Cruiser diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  45% 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
  35% 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.

• Tyres
  30% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  27% 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
  10% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Rust and bodywork
  10% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2010 Toyota Urban Cruiser diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 4.4× as often on the 2010 Toyota Urban Cruiser diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 12× as often on the 2010 Toyota Urban Cruiser diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the transmission oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 5.5× as often on the 2010 Toyota Urban Cruiser diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?