2013 Toyota Verso: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Toyota Verso?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Toyota Verso than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Rigid brake pipes3× usual
  Toyota Verso

  12.4% All 2013 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.6% of all 2013 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.

• Individual direction indicators4.3× usual
  Toyota Verso

  7.3% All 2013 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Horn9.5× usual
  Toyota Verso

  3.8% All 2013 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 0.4% of all 2013 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.

• Side repeaters3.7× usual
  Toyota Verso

  3.7% All 2013 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.6% of all 2013 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.

• Ball joint dust cover2.2× usual
  Toyota Verso

  4.7% All 2013 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.9% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2013 Toyota Verso MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Toyota Verso MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  36% 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.

• Tyres
  31% 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.

• Suspension
  24% 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.

• 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  4% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults on the 2013 Toyota Verso

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.

• Fast-wearing tyres and brake discs

  All engines

  Owners complain of tyres wearing quickly and brake discs needing frequent replacement.

  At the viewing: Check tyre tread and look for a lip on the brake discs.

  Source: RAC: Toyota Verso (2013-2018) used car review

• Electronics and creaky interior

  All engines

  Check the electronics all work; the sat nav can struggle to find its position after tunnels. Owners also mention creaks and engine noise.

  At the viewing: Test every electric function and listen for creaks over bumps.

  Source: RAC: Toyota Verso (2013-2018) used car review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Toyota Verso

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× as often on the 2013 Toyota Verso as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 4.3× as often on the 2013 Toyota Verso as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the horn? (Flagged at MOT 9.5× as often on the 2013 Toyota Verso as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?