2016 Toyota Verso: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Toyota Verso?

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

• Individual direction indicators9× usual
  Toyota Verso

  5.4% All 2016 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.2% of all 2016 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.

• Link ball joint covers7.3× usual
  Toyota Verso

  5.1% All 2016 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.4% of all 2016 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.

• Ball joint dust cover3.4× usual
  Toyota Verso

  5.8% All 2016 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.6% of all 2016 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.

• Sidelights2.9× usual
  Toyota Verso

  4.1% All 2016 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.2% of all 2016 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.

• Wipers2× usual
  Toyota Verso

  5% All 2016 cars

  2.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, 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.

Common 2016 Toyota Verso MOT failures and advisories

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

• 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.

• Brakes
  26% 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
  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.

• Lights and electrics
  19% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  3% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Known faults on the 2016 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 2016 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 individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 9× as often on the 2016 Toyota Verso as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 7.3× as often on the 2016 Toyota Verso as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2016 Toyota Verso as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?