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2016 Toyota Auris problems

A 2016 Toyota Auris is now 10 years old, so an average example has covered around 135,000 miles. A mid-run car · most launch faults had been addressed by this point, and wear items are the main risk at this age. Check the state safety inspection and service history alongside the documented faults below, which are sorted by whether a 2016 car has usually reached the mileage where they appear.

Compiled & reviewed by the VehicleFaults Research Team

Quick answer

The 2016 Toyota Auris is 10 years old, so an average example has covered roughly 135,000 miles. At that mileage 3 of the documented faults are already due, so check those first. A further 1 typically appear later in the car's life.

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Faults a 2016 example has usually reached

Documented onset mileage is at or below the ~135k miles an average 2016 car has covered.

SuspensionLow

Rear bushes and shock wear on high-mileage cars

Typically appears
120,000+ miles
What to inspect
Bounce test and listen for knocks
Engine (1.8 Hybrid)Medium

Severe engine rattle or judder during cold starts when the petrol engine first engages, caused by heavy carbon build-up in the EGR valve and intake manifold.

Typically appears
70,000-100,000 miles
What to inspect
Start the car from cold, engage drive, and firmly press the accelerator while holding the footbrake to force the petrol engine to start. Listen for loud knocking or misfires.
Cooling System (Hybrid)High

Inverter electric water pump failure, leading to hybrid system overheating and dashboard warning lights.

Typically appears
80,000-120,000 miles
What to inspect
Turn the ignition to 'Ready'. Open the bonnet and check the inverter coolant reservoir. You should see visible turbulence or swirling in the pink fluid, confirming the pump is running.

Faults that appear at any mileage

Age, electronics and build-related issues that are not mileage-driven.

BrakesMedium

Rear brake corrosion because of regenerative braking

Typically appears
Age-related
What to inspect
Inspect rear discs for scaling and lipping
ElectricalMedium

12V auxiliary battery failure

Typically appears
5+ years
What to inspect
Test the 12V battery separately
Body & LightingLow

Heavy condensation or water pooling inside the front headlight clusters due to failed factory seals, potentially causing electrical shorts or MOT failure.

Typically appears
4-6 years
What to inspect
Visually inspect both headlight lenses for milky fogging or water droplets on the inside. Switch on the dipped beams and check for flickering or blown bulbs.
Interior ElectronicsLow

Toyota Touch 2 infotainment system freezing, randomly rebooting, or dropping Bluetooth connections.

Typically appears
Any age
What to inspect
Turn on the infotainment unit, navigate through the menus quickly, and attempt to pair a phone via Bluetooth. Watch for screen lag, freezing, or spontaneous restarts.

Faults still ahead of this car

Typically appear later than this year's average mileage · worth budgeting for rather than inspecting.

BatteryMedium

Hybrid battery decline on very high-mileage cars

Typically appears
150,000+ miles
What to inspect
Hybrid health check and state-of-charge behaviour

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Toyota Auris · frequently asked questions

Do high-mileage Auris hybrids hold up?

Yes, ex-private-hire cars often run past 200,000 miles with the original battery.

What is the retail story?

Hybrid health check certificate plus a clean MOT record.

What kills the deal?

Poor cosmetic condition, not mechanical failure.

What are the servicing requirements for the hybrid e-CVT transmission?

Unlike conventional CVTs, the Toyota e-CVT uses a planetary gearset with no belts or pulleys, making it exceptionally reliable. However, it still requires a transmission fluid change every 60,000 miles. Check the service history for this specific job, as neglected fluid can lead to whining bearings and eventual gear failure.

Is the 1.4 D-4D diesel engine a safe stock choice?

The 1.4 D-4D is robust but highly susceptible to DPF blockages if previous owners primarily drove short urban routes. During inspection, pull the dipstick and check if the oil level is significantly above the maximum mark. This indicates active regeneration failures, causing diesel fuel to dilute the engine oil.

Are there any known issues with the 1.2T petrol engine introduced in 2015?

The 1.2-litre turbocharged engine is generally reliable but suffers from ignition coil failures and carbon build-up on the intake valves due to direct injection. On a test drive, apply heavy load in a high gear at low RPMs. Any hesitation or misfiring indicates coil degradation or coked valves requiring walnut blasting.

Other Auris model years

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