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Toyota2000–2016 Critical issues documented

Toyota bB QNC20: common faults & what to check

The QNC20 is the Toyota bB built 2005–2016. It was sold here with the 1.3 petrol and 1.5 petrol. Of the 8 faults documented for the bB, 5 apply to this generation, each with its symptoms, what to inspect and a typical repair cost. Free, no account needed.

Check this exact Toyota bB

  • Odometer history
  • Money owing
  • Reported stolen
  • Ownership history
  • Official NZ vehicle register data
  • NZ owned and operated

Type the plate for the free basics. The full record is a paid check from $13.49, one car at a time, no subscription.

No NZ plate yet, or buying in Australia? Pick the generation and engine and start a free check below. New to KickTyres? How the check works →

8

Documented faults

Critical

Most serious

$300–$1,800

Typical repair

14

Service milestones

You're looking at the QNC20

2 engine variants are documented for this generation. Pick yours to narrow further, or keep reading for the generation as a whole.

Choose a different generation

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

A 2006 Toyota bB is the QNC20 generation (2005 to 2016).

Start your free check on this Toyota bB

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

Toyota bB QNC20Engine not picked yet

Pick the engine above first: the bB came with 2, and without it the report has to show all of their faults. Pick the engine

Free. The paid plate check is separate, and stays optional.

Can't confirm for this car

Toyota bB · 2006

Narrowed to the year. No engine is recorded for this vehicle. Pick an engine to see which faults apply.

Tell us the engine, or check the engine code on the car, before relying on this.

  • No engine is recorded for this vehicle.

matched on year only

What to look out for

The checks worth doing on a Toyota bB before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

  • Costly issue

    Press each front corner down hard and release — more than one rebound bounce indicates a blown absorber.

    See why

    Front Shock Absorber Oil Leak and Strut Top Mount Wear

    Front shock absorbers on QNC20 bB models develop oil leaks from the damper shaft seal with age, reducing damping effectiveness. Strut top mounts and bearing plates also wear, causing clunking over bumps and imprecise steering. Given the typical age of bB imports entering NZ, both faults are common and frequently found together at pre-purchase inspection.

    What you would notice

    • Clunking or knocking from the front suspension over road irregularities
    • Vehicle bounces more than once after hitting a bump (failed damping)
    • Oil weeping or wet residue on the shock absorber body
    • Steering feels vague or wanders on uneven roads

    Typically $500–$1,200 to put right.

Toyota bB service schedule

The 3 engines a 2006 Toyota bB was sold with, each with its own intervals. Pick your engine above to narrow this to one. These are the model’s intervals — the car’s own service book is the only thing that can tell you what has actually been done to it.

2nd Generation (QNC20/QNC21/QNC25) · 2006–2016 · 1.3L (K3-VE) - Standard/S trim

Petrol

Due by distance

  1. 100,000 km

    The original spark plugs are usually due for a change by now, so notice whether the engine still feels responsive.

  2. 150,000 km

    Good window to look at the serpentine belt and check there is no cracking on the surface.

  3. 200,000 km

    Checking the engine mounts for vibration now is a sensible way to keep the ride smooth.

2nd Generation (QNC20/QNC21/QNC25) · 2006–2016 · 1.5L (3SZ-VE) - Z/Aeropackage trim

Petrol

Due by distance

  1. 100,000 km

    Check the auxiliary drive belts and make sure the transmission fluid is clean and clear.

  2. 150,000 km

    Check the engine mounts to keep the smooth around-town ride the bB is known for.

  3. 200,000 km

    Good point for a full cooling system health check, radiator and hoses included, so temperatures stay right.

2nd Generation (QNC20/QNC21/QNC25) · 2006–2016 · 1.5L (3SZ-VE) - Z 4WD trim

Petrol

Due by distance

  1. 100,000 km

    Check the accessory drive belt for cracking or fraying.

  2. 150,000 km

    Good time to make sure the spark plugs have been renewed so the engine stays efficient.

  3. 200,000 km

    Have a professional check the suspension bushings and strut mounts to keep the comfortable ride.

See all 5 issues for this oneDocumented for the exact year and engine you picked, including 1 rated critical.
Body, brakes, suspension & interior1

01Front Shock Absorber Oil Leak and Strut Top Mount Wear

Press each front corner down hard and release — more than one rebound bounce indicates a blown absorber.petrol2005–2016Suspension
CommonSuspension $500–$1,200 to fix

Front shock absorbers on QNC20 bB models develop oil leaks from the damper shaft seal with age, reducing damping effectiveness. Strut top mounts and bearing plates also wear, causing clunking over bumps and imprecise steering. Given the typical age of bB imports entering NZ, both faults are common and frequently found together at pre-purchase inspection.

Symptoms to notice

  • Clunking or knocking from the front suspension over road irregularities
  • Vehicle bounces more than once after hitting a bump (failed damping)
  • Oil weeping or wet residue on the shock absorber body
  • Steering feels vague or wanders on uneven roads

What to check

  1. Press each front corner down hard and release — more than one rebound bounce indicates a blown absorber.
  2. Check strut top mount bearings by rotating the steering lock-to-lock and feeling for roughness or grinding.
  3. If a workshop inspection is possible: On a hoist, inspect shock bodies for oil residue or wet dust covers.

Where to look: Front strut assemblies: upper mount in engine bay, lower end behind each front wheel

Parts involved: Shock absorber / strut.

Ask the seller

  • “Have the front shock absorbers or struts ever been replaced?”
  • “Any clunking from the front suspension over bumps or potholes?”
  • “Has the steering felt imprecise or wandering?”
Depends on the exact engine — 4 moreDocumented for a specific engine we could not confirm from what you picked. Check the engine code on the car.
Engine, transmission & cooling4

013SZ-VE Timing Chain Stretch and Tensioner Failure

Cold-start the engine and listen closely to the top of the engine for chain rattle during the first 10–20 seconds.petrol2005–2016Engine
OccasionalEngine $800–$2,200 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The 3SZ-VE engine in the QNC20 bB uses a timing chain rather than a belt, but the chain and tensioner are known to stretch prematurely when oil changes are infrequent or the oil level is allowed to drop. A worn tensioner cannot maintain adequate chain tension, causing chain slap against the guide, variable valve timing errors, and ultimately timing skip that causes valve damage.

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Rattling or clattering from the top of the engine on cold startup, which may diminish after warmup
  • Check engine lamp with VVT or camshaft position error codes (P0011, P0016)
  • Rough idle or misfires on cold start
  • Loss of power and increased fuel consumption

What to check

Cold-start the engine and listen closely to the top of the engine for chain rattle during the first 10–20 seconds. Ask about oil change frequency and maximum recorded interval. If a workshop inspection is possible: Connect an OBD scanner and check for VVT-related or cam timing fault codes.

Where to look: Timing chain and tensioner at the front of the 3SZ-VE engine behind the timing chain cover

Parts involved: Timing chain.

Ask the seller

  • “How often was the oil changed and was it ever run low?”
  • “Any rattling or ticking on cold start?”
  • “Have any engine warning lights appeared?”

02Oil consumption with age (K3/3SZ, QNC20)

Check the dipstick level and colour and ask how often it needs topping up.petrol2005–2016Engine
OccasionalEngine $200–$2,500 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The Daihatsu-sourced engines in the second-gen bB can develop moderate oil use as they age, through hardened valve-stem seals and worn rings. It's a manageable, live-with-it issue on a cheap car but worth confirming, since these small motors don't tolerate running low on oil.

Symptoms to notice

  • Oil low between services
  • Blue smoke on start-up
  • Burnt-oil smell

What to check

  1. Check the dipstick level and colour and ask how often it needs topping up.
  2. Watch the exhaust on start-up.
  3. A full, clean dipstick and regular servicing are reassuring.

Where to look: Engine / dipstick

Ask the seller

  • “Does it use oil between services?”
  • “When was it last serviced?”

03Timing-chain tensioner rattle (K3/3SZ, QNC20)

Be there for the first cold start and listen at the front of the engine for a rattle.petrol2005–2016Engine
OccasionalEngine $800–$1,800 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The second-gen bB switched to Daihatsu-built 1.3 (K3-VE) and 1.5 (3SZ-VE) engines with a timing chain. As with the Passo/Townace, the tensioner can weaken with age or neglected oil and give a brief cold-start rattle; a loud or persistent rattle means the chain kit is due before it damages anything.

The front of a dual overhead camshaft engine with the timing cover removed, exposing the timing chain and sprockets.Example of the part — not this vehicle

The front of a twin-cam engine with the timing cover off — chain, sprockets and guides.

Logansenf · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Short metallic rattle on cold start
  • Rattle worsening over time
  • Rough running if the chain is badly worn

What to check

Be there for the first cold start and listen at the front of the engine for a rattle. A quick chirp is common; a sustained rattle needs attention. Ask about oil-change history.

Where to look: Timing chain / tensioner (front of engine)

Parts involved: Timing chain.

Ask the seller

  • “Any rattle on cold start?”
  • “How often has the oil been changed?”

04Automatic Transmission Solenoid Wear and Shift Degradation

Pull ATF dipstick and check colour and smell — dark brown or burnt fluid means prolonged neglect.petrol2005–2016Transmission
CommonTransmission $400–$2,500 to fix

Can't confirm for this car

The 4-speed automatic gearbox fitted to QNC20 bB models develops solenoid and valve body wear over time, producing harsh or hunting gear changes and slip under acceleration. The relatively small transmission is stressed by city-cycle driving patterns typical of bB use cases and is particularly sensitive to ATF condition. Fluid that has never been replaced is a common finding on imported examples.

Symptoms to notice

  • Harsh or abrupt upshifts at low speed
  • Transmission hunting between gears in stop-start traffic
  • Jolt or delay when selecting drive from park or reverse
  • Slipping during acceleration without any mechanical noise

What to check

  1. Pull ATF dipstick and check colour and smell — dark brown or burnt fluid means prolonged neglect.
  2. Drive in slow traffic and note shift smoothness.
  3. If a workshop inspection is possible: Scan for stored transmission fault codes with an OBD reader before purchase.

Where to look: Automatic gearbox beneath the cabin floor, forward of the centre console

Parts involved: Mechatronic / valve body.

Ask the seller

  • “Has the automatic transmission fluid ever been changed?”
  • “Any hesitation, jolt, or harsh shifting?”
  • “Does it slip or jolt when selecting drive from park?”
Other Toyota bB engines and years3 documented issues that do not apply to the one you picked.
Engine, transmission & cooling1

011NZ/2NZ oil consumption on high-km imports

Check the dipstick level and colour and ask about oil top-ups.petrol2000–2005Engine
OccasionalEngine $200–$2,500 to fix

Does not apply

The first-gen bB uses Toyota's 1.3 (2NZ-FE) and 1.5 (1NZ-FE) engines — dependable, but on high-mileage JDM imports they can start using oil through worn rings or valve seals. It's usually a top-up-and-go issue rather than a failure, but a tiny engine run low on oil wears fast, so check the level and how often it needs oil.

Symptoms to notice

  • Oil low between services
  • Wisp of blue smoke on start-up
  • Burnt-oil smell

What to check

  1. Check the dipstick level and colour and ask about oil top-ups.
  2. Watch the exhaust on cold start.
  3. A clean, full dipstick and regular servicing are good signs on a budget import.

Where to look: Engine / dipstick

Ask the seller

  • “Does it use oil between services?”
  • “When was it last serviced?”
Electrical1

01Ignition-coil / spark-plug misfire

Idle from cold and feel for a stumble; drive under light load feeling for a miss.petrol2000–2005Electrical
OccasionalElectrical $150–$500 to fix

Does not apply

The 1NZ/2NZ engines use coil-on-plug ignition, and as imports age a coil or plug can break down, giving a rough idle, a stumble under load and a flashing or steady engine light. It's a cheap fix (one coil), but you should confirm any misfire is just that and not something deeper before buying.

A four-cylinder ignition coil rail removed from an engine, beside a steel rule for scale.Example of the part — not this vehicle

A coil-on-plug ignition rail, removed. One coil per cylinder.

Cschirp · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · Wikimedia Commons

Symptoms to notice

  • Rough idle / vibration
  • Stumble or hesitation under acceleration
  • Check-engine light (misfire code)

What to check

Idle from cold and feel for a stumble; drive under light load feeling for a miss. If the engine light is on, have the code read — a single coil or plug is inexpensive, but rule out anything worse.

Where to look: Ignition coils and spark plugs (on top of the engine)

Parts involved: Ignition coil.

Ask the seller

  • “Is the engine light on or has it misfired?”
  • “Have the coils or plugs been replaced?”
Body, brakes, suspension & interior1

01Body rust on ageing JDM imports (arches, tailgate)

Walk around and check the wheel arch lips, lower doors, tailgate bottom and windscreen surround for bubbling.2000–2005Body & Rust
OccasionalBody & Rust $300–$1,500 to fix

Does not apply

As boxy first-gen imports age, the bB can rust at the wheel arches, tailgate/lower doors and around the windscreen, especially on cars that saw Japanese winter salt. It's often cosmetic at first but can become a WoF issue if it reaches structural areas or the sills, so check the usual spots on any older example.

Symptoms to notice

  • Rust bubbles at wheel arches and lower doors
  • Corrosion around the tailgate and windscreen
  • Flaking paint on sills

What to check

Walk around and check the wheel arch lips, lower doors, tailgate bottom and windscreen surround for bubbling. Open the doors and check the sills. Surface rust is common; anything structural or on the sills can affect the WoF.

Where to look: Wheel arches, lower doors, tailgate, windscreen surround, sills

Parts involved: Body corrosion.

Ask the seller

  • “Any rust repairs done, and does it hold a current WoF?”
  • “Any WoF advisories for rust?”

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Toyota bB’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

Other Toyota models

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Toyota bB buyer questions

Is the Toyota bB reliable?

Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 8 documented faults for the Toyota bB, the recurring problem areas are engine, transmission, and suspension. A Toyota bB with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.

What are the most common problems with a used Toyota bB?

We've catalogued 8 known faults for the Toyota bB, covering engine, transmission, and suspension. All 8 are written out in full on this page, with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each. Free to read, no account needed.

How much do repairs cost on a Toyota bB?

Most single repairs on the Toyota bB fall between $300–$1,800 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 8 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.

Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Toyota bB?

Yes. A Toyota bB inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $24.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.