Compare Toyota ticking or rattling noise repair quotes from specialist garages

Toyota is the world's largest car manufacturer, famous for the reliability of its vehicles, from the classic Hilux pickup truck to more recent electrified models like the RAV4 Plug-in, which is the most satisfying new car to own in 2023, according to Which?.

Data shows that 20 years after they were sold, 80% of Toyota cars are still on the road. It's hardly surprising that Toyota earned the title of 'Most Reliable Car Brand' at the 2023 Fleet News FN50 Awards. The brand is also cheap to maintain, as our comparison of Toyota and Ford demonstrates.

Toyota's commitment to green innovation, which has seen the development of numerous electric models, extends beyond passenger cars to the racetrack - in 2021, its racing division introduced the GR10 Hybrid Hypercar to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Ticking and rattling are two closely related noises you might hear from your car. If you listen closely to where the sound is coming from and when it happens (while accelerating, for instance), you might be able to work out the cause.

The first thing to check is whether the engine oil is low, requiring a top-up - this is the best-case scenario. If your car is rattling and the sound is coming from the engine, it could be caused by a loose serpentine belt or timing chain. From the car's rear, it might be a loose exhaust or a broken catalytic converter, and the other possibility is worn suspension, which can cause rattling from the front or rear of the vehicle.

Possible explanations for ticking include worn spark plugs, knocking engine rods, dirty valve lifters and misaligned valves. You can learn more about these issues here.

Ticking and rattling noises should be taken seriously as they sometimes indicate a problem with the engine that could cause further damage if ignored.