Our Auris has been slowly losing tyre pressure over the last week or so. Couldn't see the usual nail in the tyre so took it into the local tyre place who did the old fairy liquid over the valve test and sure enough it was blowing bubbles. They informed me that there is a tyre pressure sensor as part of the valve assembly and that I'd probably have to have the whole thing replaced, advising that I took it to the local Toyota dealers. They did to their credit say to bring it back if the Toyota dealership was asking for "silly money say about £45..." and he would clean the valve or see if he had something else that might fit. Needless to say it was a shock when Toyota quoted £88.00 + VAT for the part.

Also, it looks like the lithium batteries in these things only last for 5-10 years then the whole units have to be replaced which would be upwards of £400 in total. The thing is I don't even need tyre pressure sensors, I do a visual check before most journeys and have a pressure gauge which I use on all cars in the family regularly (as well as a 12v tyre inflater)

The Auris has been hugely reliable over our 3 years of ownership so I can't critisise Toyota too much but this just seems unnecessary. Needless to say it's back to the local tyre place when we get a chance on Thurs to see if they can do something.

Anyone came across similar issues on other makes?