Small SUV · 2007–2021 cars
Toyota C-HR reliability
The Toyota C-HR fails 14.2% of first MOT tests, 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 196,290 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Toyota C-HR before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 14.2%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 6% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 196,290
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,400
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
What this means for buyers
The Toyota C-HR does well on MOT tests. Its first-time fail rate is 14.2%, against 28.4% for all cars. Against cars of the same age and mileage, it has 6% fewer MOT fails, and it ranks 22 of 40 small SUV models. Cars from 2021 did best, with 35% fewer MOT fails than comparable cars. Cars from 2018 were about average.
The weak spot is windscreen, wipers and mirrors, with 85% more fails than comparable cars there. Check the wiper blades clear the glass properly, and test the dipped beam headlamps. Look at tyre tread, which must be at least 1.6mm, and check for cuts reaching the ply or cords. These are among the most common MOT failures, so they are quick to check before you buy.
MOT fail rate by age
How the Toyota C-HR ages
Each point is the share of Toyota C-HRs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Toyota C-HR | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10.7% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 13.9% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 16.4% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 17.2% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 16.3% | 22.1% |
By year
The best and worst Toyota C-HR years
2021 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 C-HR | 6,218 | 7.5% | 35% fewer fails | 23,877 |
| 2020 C-HR | 27,763 | 10.8% | 14% fewer fails | 29,228 |
| 2019 C-HR | 48,278 | 12.6% | 9% fewer fails | 32,681 |
| 2018 C-HR | 63,524 | 15.7% | 2% more fails | 38,707 |
| 2017 C-HR | 48,762 | 16.5% | 7% fewer fails | 44,555 |
| 2016 C-HR | 1,741 | 13.6% | 28% fewer fails | 46,825 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Toyota C-HR
Its weak spot is windscreen, wipers and mirrors: 85% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6%85% above avg
- Lights and electrics4.7%25% above avg
- Tyres3.8%23% below avg
- Brakes1.4%50% below avg
- Suspension0.4%78% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.2%7% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.1%73% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.1%83% below avg
- Steering0%89% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.22% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.79% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.21% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.93% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 5
Main beam headlamp not working 0.92% of tests
A failed main beam reduces night-time visibility on unlit roads, so the headlamp should be repaired promptly.
- 6
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.84% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 7
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.58% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 8
Reversing lamp not working 0.54% of tests
A failed reversing lamp makes manoeuvring in the dark harder and is a fault that needs fixing.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Toyota C-HR's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit9.39%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking8.52%
- Brake disc pitted or scored4.93%
- Brake pads wearing thin3.93%
- Nail in tyre, monitor1.73%
- Child seat limits belt inspection1.62%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Toyota C-HR
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Dipped beam headlamp not working
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Toyota C-HR covers about 8,400 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Hybrid83.4%
- Petrol16%
- Other0.6%
- Electric0%
- LPG0%
- Diesel0%
Most common colours
Silver, Grey, White, Blue, Black
Average engine size: 1.7 litres.
Compare
How the Toyota C-HR compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Audi Q2 | 9.1% | 37% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen T-Roc | 9% | 34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo XC40 | 9.3% | 30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz GLA | 13.4% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Vitara | 14.8% | 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota C-HR | 14.2% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Dacia Duster | 26.9% | 39% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small suv ranked in the small suv reliability index, or all Toyota models.
Questions
Toyota C-HR questions, answered
Is the Toyota C-HR reliable?
On MOT results, the Toyota C-HR is about average: it fails 14.2% of first MOT tests, 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 22 of 40 small suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Toyota C-HR MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Toyota C-HR are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (4.22% of tests), dipped beam headlamp not working (1.79% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.21% of tests). By area, windscreen, wipers and mirrors fails 6% of its tests.
Which Toyota C-HR year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (35% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (about average for its age).
How many miles does a Toyota C-HR do a year?
A typical Toyota C-HR covers about 8,400 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Toyota C-HR before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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