Small SUV · 1997–2018 cars
Toyota Urban Cruiser reliability
The Toyota Urban Cruiser fails 28.1% of first MOT tests, 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 13,254 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Toyota Urban Cruiser before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 28.1%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 24% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 13,254
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,200
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Toyota Urban Cruiser ages
Each point is the share of Toyota Urban Cruisers of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Toyota Urban Cruiser | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 21.9% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 22.6% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 26.6% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 26.1% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 29.7% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 33.3% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 33.8% | 42.3% |
By year
The best and worst Toyota Urban Cruiser years
2012 cars come out best and 2009 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Urban Cruiser | 1,914 | 22.6% | 30% fewer fails | 75,176 |
| 2011 Urban Cruiser | 3,316 | 26.5% | 24% fewer fails | 78,610 |
| 2010 Urban Cruiser | 3,951 | 29.4% | 22% fewer fails | 86,522 |
| 2009 Urban Cruiser | 4,055 | 30.9% | 22% fewer fails | 87,932 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Toyota Urban Cruiser
Its weak spot is brakes: 18% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics11.3%29% below avg
- Brakes10.2%18% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6%8% above avg
- Suspension5.7%58% below avg
- Tyres4%43% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.9%7% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure2.7%44% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.7%35% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.4%0% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 3.87% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.84% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.46% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.89% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 5
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 1.58% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 6
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.58% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 7
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.58% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 8
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.51% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Toyota Urban Cruiser's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake disc pitted or scored14.02%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy13.46%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit12.62%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.73%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear7.81%
- Brake pads wearing thin5.06%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Toyota Urban Cruiser
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 3
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 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 Urban Cruiser covers about 7,200 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
- Diesel51.9%
- Petrol48.1%
Most common colours
Purple, Silver, Grey, Black, Blue
Average engine size: 1.3 litres.
Compare
How the Toyota Urban Cruiser compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lexus UX | 5.8% | 53% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Urban Cruiser | 28.1% | 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda CX-30 | 8.8% | 23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Subaru XV | 17.8% | 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Skoda Kamiq | 10.7% | 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia XCeed | 12.4% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SsangYong Tivoli | 26.6% | 53% 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 Urban Cruiser questions, answered
Is the Toyota Urban Cruiser reliable?
On MOT results, the Toyota Urban Cruiser is better than average: it fails 28.1% of first MOT tests, 24% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 9 of 40 small suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Toyota Urban Cruiser MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Toyota Urban Cruiser are position lamp not working (3.87% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.84% of tests), rigid brake pipe excessively corroded (2.46% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 11.3% of its tests.
Which Toyota Urban Cruiser year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2012 cars do best (30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2009 cars do worst (22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Toyota Urban Cruiser do a year?
A typical Toyota Urban Cruiser covers about 7,200 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 Urban Cruiser 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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