2011 Toyota Urban Cruiser: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Toyota Urban Cruiser?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Toyota Urban Cruiser than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Rigid brake pipes3.6× usual
  Toyota Urban Cruiser

  22% All 2011 cars

  6.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1% of all 2011 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 pipes19.3× usual
  Toyota Urban Cruiser

  5.8% All 2011 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2011 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.

• Headlights1.9× usual
  Toyota Urban Cruiser

  10.8% All 2011 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 3.2% of all 2011 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 reflectors11.8× usual
  Toyota Urban Cruiser

  4.7% All 2011 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2011 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.

• Suspension arm2.3× usual
  Toyota Urban Cruiser

  7.7% All 2011 cars

  3.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.4% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Common 2011 Toyota Urban Cruiser MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Toyota Urban Cruiser MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  43% 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
  39% 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
  29% 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.

• 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Toyota Urban Cruiser

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 3.6× as often on the 2011 Toyota Urban Cruiser as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 19.3× as often on the 2011 Toyota Urban Cruiser as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2011 Toyota Urban Cruiser as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?