Toyota Urban Cruiser years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

2,123 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2009–2010 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

Both Toyota Urban Cruiser years have MOT pass rates above the average for vehicles first used in the same year.

Below the average for their first-use yearNone
Above the average for their first-use year2009–2010
Can't be told apart from averageNone

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

66.7%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 64.7% to 68.7%.

Toyota Urban Cruiser, all years66.7%
Same-age average, all vehicles58.8%

In 2025, 66.7% of the 2,123 initial MOT tests on Toyota Urban Cruiser cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 58.8%. That is 8.0 points above the same-age average.

Check a specific Urban Cruiser

Its own MOT history, free.

Toyota Urban Cruiser MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

Year	Chart	Testsmedian miles	Passed first time	Against all vehicles that year
2010age 15		1,02593,700	68.0%±3.0	+8.7 ptsall: 59.3%
2009age 16		1,09896,300	65.6%±2.9	+7.3 ptsall: 58.3%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Common Urban Cruiser problems at the MOT

Share of the 706 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these can add up to more than 100%.

Lights and electrics41.5%
Brakes31.6%
Suspension25.9%
Windscreen, wipers, mirrors22.2%
Noise, emissions, leaks18.6%
Tyres15.2%

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems.

Most common MOT failures on the Toyota Urban Cruiser

The defects recorded most often at the 706 failed initial tests on Toyota Urban Cruiser cars, all years together, in the DVSA's own words. Each share is of failed tests, and a failed test can have more than one defect.

Defect	Share of failed tests	All vehicles, same age
Position lamp not workingLights and electrics	15.2%107 tests	14.2%
Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunctionNoise, emissions, leaks	10.2%72 tests	5.3%
Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectivelyWindscreen, wipers, mirrors	9.6%68 tests	5.4%
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres	7.8%55 tests	7.1%
Washer provides insufficient washer liquidWindscreen, wipers, mirrors	7.4%52 tests	5.4%

These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the Urban Cruiser's failed tests in each year. How we count

What to check when viewing an Urban Cruiser

Based on the areas where Toyota Urban Cruiser MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

Lights and electrics
In 41.5% of failed Urban Cruiser tests
- Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
- Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
- Check the dashboard warning lights come on when the car is switched on and then go out. Ask about any that stay lit.
Brakes
In 31.6% of failed Urban Cruiser tests
- On a clear road, brake firmly and check the car stops in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
- Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
- Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.
Suspension
In 25.9% of failed Urban Cruiser tests
- Push down hard on each corner. Check the car rises once and settles, not bouncing again and again.
- On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
- Check the car sits level when parked on flat ground.
Windscreen, wipers, mirrors
In 22.2% of failed Urban Cruiser tests
- Look for chips and cracks in the windscreen, especially in front of the driver.
- Run the wipers and washers and check the blades clear the screen without smearing.
- Check both door mirrors and the rear-view mirror are intact and adjust.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check an Urban Cruiser's MOT history

Toyota Urban Cruiser questions

Which Toyota Urban Cruiser years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2009–2010. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Toyota Urban Cruiser reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 66.7% of initial MOT tests on Toyota Urban Cruiser cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 58.8%. That is 8.0 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Toyota Urban Cruiser problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 41.5% of failed tests), brakes (in 31.6% of failed tests) and suspension (in 25.9% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 15-year-old Toyota Urban Cruiser?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Toyota Urban Cruiser cars first used in 2010, about 15 years old, had a median of 93,700 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Urban Cruiser's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Toyota Urban Cruiser

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checks What MOT history doesn't show

Other Toyota models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 26 Toyota models Cars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Toyota Urban Cruiser cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count