Possible cause of flat spots when accelerating

[aurisdriver]

My 2009 1.6-petrol manual Toyota Auris has some flat spots when accelerating in all gears (but mostly 2nd and 3rd) between 2000 and 3000 rpm. The most obvious one is at about 2900rpm in every gear, which also happens to be 70-72mph in 6th. There's a couple milder ones around the 2300rpm point. Also I can hear a faint ticking when stationary, neutral and idling.

It's done 52000 miles. Any thoughts on what it could be? At its last service 4000 miles ago I suggested new spark plus to the garage but they said no you won't need those yet, their iridium and last into 70000 miles.

Just looking for suggestions on what it could be please, as it's getting worse.

Thanks in advance.

[stevieturbo]

Whether anyone claims 70k or not...no way would I ever run plugs that long and any garage that encourages it should be avoided.

There could be many faults, plugs, airflow meter, lambda sensor etc etc or also lack of servicing.

Really..without the car to test impossible to say