Large family car · 1997–2019 cars
Toyota Avensis reliability
The Toyota Avensis fails 33.7% of first MOT tests, 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 231,459 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Toyota Avensis before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 33.7%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 11% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 231,459
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 11,700
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
What this means for buyers
The Toyota Avensis has a first-time MOT fail rate of 33.7%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 11% fewer MOT fails, and it ranks 11 of 29 large family car models. The 2016 model year is the standout, with 23% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. The 1999 model year is the weakest, with 8% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage.
A used Avensis can be a sensible buy if you check the right things. The most common failure is a position lamp not working, at 5.9% of tests. Coil springs fractured or broken appear in 2.56% of tests, wiper blades not clearing the windscreen in 2.41%, and tyre tread below 1.6mm in 2.37%. Check these before you buy, and ask for the MOT history.
MOT fail rate by age
How the Toyota Avensis ages
Each point is the share of Toyota Avensiss of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Toyota Avensis | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12.8% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 14.2% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 15% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 17.7% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 20.2% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 22.4% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 25.4% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 27.6% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 29.8% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 32.4% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 34.5% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 38.1% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 40.6% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 41.6% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 42% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 42.4% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 42.2% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 42.9% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 42% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 41.3% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 41% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 41.3% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 40.5% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst Toyota Avensis years
2016 cars come out best and 1999 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Avensis | 3,851 | 16% | 18% fewer fails | 64,920 |
| 2017 Avensis | 8,273 | 16.5% | 18% fewer fails | 61,031 |
| 2016 Avensis | 11,964 | 17.9% | 23% fewer fails | 72,929 |
| 2015 Avensis | 11,137 | 21.3% | 21% fewer fails | 88,021 |
| 2014 Avensis | 10,426 | 24.2% | 20% fewer fails | 102,814 |
| 2013 Avensis | 10,698 | 26.1% | 21% fewer fails | 107,034 |
| 2012 Avensis | 16,881 | 28% | 21% fewer fails | 108,034 |
| 2011 Avensis | 15,458 | 31.1% | 18% fewer fails | 109,192 |
| 2010 Avensis | 19,831 | 33.5% | 17% fewer fails | 114,788 |
| 2009 Avensis | 18,789 | 35.2% | 15% fewer fails | 117,959 |
| 2008 Avensis | 19,519 | 40.2% | 6% fewer fails | 118,711 |
| 2007 Avensis | 20,039 | 41.8% | 5% fewer fails | 126,396 |
| 2006 Avensis | 18,565 | 41.9% | 6% fewer fails | 121,826 |
| 2005 Avensis | 14,488 | 42.2% | 5% fewer fails | 118,326 |
| 2004 Avensis | 11,205 | 41.1% | 8% fewer fails | 114,488 |
| 2003 Avensis | 8,068 | 42.1% | 4% fewer fails | 109,552 |
| 2002 Avensis | 3,826 | 44.7% | 4% more fails | 105,825 |
| 2001 Avensis | 2,793 | 39.7% | 5% fewer fails | 103,559 |
| 2000 Avensis | 1,978 | 41.2% | 1% more fails | 107,835 |
| 1999 Avensis | 2,190 | 42.9% | 8% more fails | 117,377 |
| 1998 Avensis | 1,463 | 40.1% | 5% more fails | 114,293 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Toyota Avensis
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics17.6%0% above avg
- Brakes9.5%9% below avg
- Suspension9.1%37% below avg
- Tyres6%18% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.5%9% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.2%22% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure2.9%54% below avg
- Steering1.1%67% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.9%53% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 5.9% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.56% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.41% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.37% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Stop lamp not working 2.26% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 6
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.21% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 7
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.95% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 8
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.75% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Toyota Avensis's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit15.48%
- Brake pads wearing thin8.53%
- Brake disc pitted or scored8.38%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.74%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy6.51%
- Suspension arm showing corrosion5.87%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Toyota Avensis
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Toyota Avensis covers about 11,700 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel52.3%
- Petrol47.1%
- LPG0.6%
- Hybrid0%
- Other0%
- Electric0%
Most common colours
Silver, Grey, Blue, Black, White
Average engine size: 1.9 litres.
Compare
How the Toyota Avensis compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Skoda Superb | 21.4% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Saab 9-3 | 37.3% | 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Avensis | 33.7% | 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Honda Accord | 38.7% | 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda 6 | 30% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Tesla Model 3 | 14.7% | about average for its age |
| Vauxhall Vectra | 45.9% | 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every large family car ranked in the large family car reliability index, or all Toyota models.
Questions
Toyota Avensis questions, answered
Is the Toyota Avensis reliable?
On MOT results, the Toyota Avensis is about average: it fails 33.7% of first MOT tests, 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 11 of 29 large family car models in our index.
What fails most on a Toyota Avensis MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Toyota Avensis are position lamp not working (5.9% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (2.56% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (2.41% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 17.6% of its tests.
Which Toyota Avensis year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1999 cars do worst (8% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Toyota Avensis do a year?
A typical Toyota Avensis covers about 11,700 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Toyota Avensis before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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