Common Problems with the Toyota Aygo

Ellie Dyer-Brown, 10 days ago

5 min read

  • Toyota
  • Common problems
iStock-1311521491

FixMyCar discusses common Toyota Aygo problems and average repair costs.

The Toyota Aygo is a quirky city car packed with personality. Mechanically, the Aygo is almost identical to the Peugeot 108 and Citroen C1, but it’s cheaper to buy and run. If you ask us, it’s also better looking.

You’re probably reading this guide because you own an Aygo or are considering buying one. In this case, it’s essential to be aware of any common problems associated with the model. There’s no need to spend hours trawling the internet for that information; we’ve done the hard part for you and put everything you need to know in this guide.

To summarise, you should keep an eye out for problems relating to the:


What’s wrong with the Toyota Aygo?

Drivers frequently search for information about the following issues.

iStock-Toyota Aygo

Toyota Aygo automatic problems

Common automatic transmission faults include:

Toyota Aygo clutch problems

The clutch may become prematurely worn in some Aygos, so if you’re taking one on a test drive, make sure the gear changes are smooth and pay attention to any signs the clutch might be on its way out. Things to look out for:

  • Juddering when setting off or changing gear

  • Trouble changing gear

  • Slipping clutch

Toyota Aygo automatic gearbox problems

The Aygo’s automatic gearbox is notoriously woeful; when it goes wrong, repairs can be costly, so if you’ve set your heart on an automatic car, you might be better off looking elsewhere.

Toyota Aygo oxygen sensor problems

Many Aygo drivers have reported experiencing issues with the oxygen sensor (also known as the lambda sensor). The oxygen sensor is part of the exhaust system; it sends information about the air to fuel ratio to the engine control unit.

Symptoms of a faulty oxygen sensor include:


2005-2014 Toyota Aygo problems

The first generation Toyota Aygo was released in 2005, aimed at young people living busy lives in the city.

1. Clutch failure

The clutch may fail sooner than expected due to corrosion. While you can extend the life of your clutch by driving carefully and taking steps to minimise wear and tear, there isn’t much you can do to stop it from becoming corroded.

What repair is needed for clutch failure, and how much does it cost for a Toyota Aygo?

Unfortunately, you’ll have to replace the clutch, which is a costly job. On average, a Toyota Aygo clutch replacement costs £451.09 when you book through FixMyCar.

2. Trouble starting the engine

Some Aygo drivers say their cars can be challenging to start sometimes, mainly during cold weather, and dealers can’t always find out why.

What repair is needed for a car that struggles to start, and how much does it cost for a Toyota Aygo?

Replacing the starter motor may help, but it doesn’t always solve the problem. You should also check the battery is in good condition

On average, it costs £293.82 to replace a Toyota Aygo starter motor when you book through FixMyCar

3. Worn brakes

Like the clutch, the brakes on some Aygos may become worn prematurely and could also suffer from corrosion. If you’re considering buying an Aygo, take it for a test drive and get a feel for how well the brakes work. 

What repair is needed for worn brakes, and how much does it cost for a Toyota Aygo?

You will have to replace the worn components. On average, it costs £228.77 to replace the brake pads and discs on a Toyota Aygo when you book through FixMyCar.

4. Leaking weather seals and vents

Some Aygos could suffer from water leaking into the boot due to poorly fitted weather seals, and the same can happen in the front of the car, thanks to a faulty vent. Look for damp patches in the car and excessive condensation; these are dead giveaways.

What repair is needed for leaking vents and seals, and how much does it cost for a Toyota Aygo?

You can purchase sealant to repair the window seals; it shouldn’t cost more than £10. The vent is a little more tricky - it’s best to take the car to a Toyota dealership so they can fit a new one that doesn’t leak.

5. Noisy exhaust

Corroded parts are most often to blame for a noisy exhaust. Excessive rust causes the rear silencer to fail. 

What repair is needed for a noisy exhaust, and how much does it cost for a Toyota Aygo?

You’ll have to replace the rear silencer. Fortunately, this isn’t too expensive. You can expect to pay, on average, £105.44 for a Toyota Aygo exhaust repair when you book through FixMyCar.

2005-2014 Toyota Aygo recalls

Recall DateReason
06-Feb-10Accelerator pedal may fail to return to idle
03-Mar-14Directional control may be lost

2014-2018 Toyota Aygo problems

Keep an eye out for the following issues.

iStock-Toyota Aygo2

1. Patchy paintwork

A lot of Aygo drivers complain about the paintwork coming off their cars. The Aygo is for city driving, so it often sustains a lot of scrapes and bumps over its lifetime, exacerbating the problem.

What repair is needed for patchy paintwork, and how much does it cost for a Toyota Aygo?

Paint jobs can be expensive if you want the whole car sprayed, but fixing a small area is likely much cheaper. Paint jobs vary considerably, so it’s difficult to provide an accurate average price; if you want to find out how much your car’s paintwork will cost to fix, the best thing to do is post a job on FixMyCar

2. Leaking fuel tank

A small number of Aygos could have a tiny hole in the fuel tank due to a manufacturing issue. 

What repair is needed for a leaking fuel tank, and how much does it cost for a Toyota Aygo?

Toyota issued a recall of affected models; if yours is one of them, you should take it to a dealership that will fix it for free. 

3. Loss of steering

Certain models manufactured in 2014 and 2015 may have a problem with the steering column, leaving you unable to turn your car. 

What repair is needed for loss of steering, and how much does it cost for a Toyota Aygo?

Toyota identified this problem and issued a recall; dealerships will repair affected models for free.

4. Worn clutch

Clutch problems aren’t quite as prevalent in the 2014-2018 models, but you should still look for symptoms like juddering and slipping when changing gear

What repair is needed for a worn clutch, and how much does it cost for a Toyota Aygo?

Unfortunately, once your clutch starts showing signs of wear and tear, it will only worsen with time; a clutch replacement is inevitable. You can expect to pay £451.09 on average for a Toyota Aygo clutch replacement when you book through FixMyCar

5. Airbag warning light

A few Aygo drivers report that the airbag warning light has appeared on their dash despite the airbag being fully functional. 

What repair is needed for an airbag warning light, and how much does it cost for a Toyota Aygo?

You should always check your airbag if you see the warning light to ensure there are no problems. Once you’ve determined whether the airbag works, you’ll need to book a repair or have the system re-set to eliminate the warning light. It’s best to take the car to a Toyota dealership to ensure the problem is correctly identified and fixed.

On average, you can expect to pay £55.71 for a Toyota Aygo diagnostic test when you book through FixMyCar.

iStock-Toyota Aygo 5

2014-2018 Toyota Aygo recalls

Recall DateReason
28-Jan-15Loss of control
29-Jun-16Steering column may fail unexpectedly

2018-2022 Toyota Aygo problems

The Aygo underwent a facelift in 2018, which involved a surprising number of changes. There is less information about problems with the latest Aygo because it hasn’t been available for as long. Here’s everything we know.

1. Rear door leak

The glue holding the glass in place may detach, resulting in a leak. Look out for wet patches inside the vehicle and excessive condensation.

What repair is needed for a rear door leak, and how much does it cost for a Toyota Aygo?

Toyota issued a recall for this problem in early 2019, so if your car is affected, take it to a dealership for a free repair.

2. Corroded front brakes

Corrosion is a common pain point for Aygo drivers, particularly regarding the front brakes.

What repair is needed for corroded front brakes, and how much does it cost for a Toyota Aygo?

Once your brakes become corroded, you’ll have to replace them. On average, replacing brake pads and discs on a Toyota Aygo costs £228.77 when you book through FixMyCar.

2018-2022 Toyota Aygo recalls

Recall DateReason
21-Jan-19The glue holding the glass on the rear door could detach
21-Jan-19An incorrect tooling setup during the manufacturing of the fuel tank may result in reduced wall thickness or a small pin hole in the tank
20-Oct-20It may not be possible to switch headlights from high beam to low beam or vice versa
25-Jan-21Some rear inner seatbelts may incorrect stitching on the belt material

If you're having trouble with your Toyota Aygo, FixMyCar can help you find the right garage at the right price, whatever you need.

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Written by Ellie

Ellie Author Pic

Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Writer. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.

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