Used car guide

1999 Toyota Avensis: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1999 Toyota Avensiss, from 311 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 311 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

311MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 65%)
4,400typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1999 Toyota Avensiss than on all cars registered in 1999.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.2× usual
    Toyota Avensis
    10.9% All 1999 cars
    3.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.5× usual
    Toyota Avensis
    11.3% All 1999 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.3%, against 4.4% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Number plates2.1× usual
    Toyota Avensis
    12.5% All 1999 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.6% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

By area

The share of 1999 Toyota Avensis MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    42% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    41% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    27% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    25% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    23% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Rust and bodywork
    14% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Looking at a Toyota Avensis?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20181,138Tyres 28%
20172,423Tyres 25%
20163,484Tyres 27%
20153,062Tyres 29%
20142,903Suspension 33%
20132,993Suspension 35%
20124,509Suspension 38%
20114,129Suspension 42%
20105,053Suspension 46%
20094,696Suspension 50%
20084,497Suspension 46%
20074,215Suspension 49%
20063,746Suspension 47%
20052,887Suspension 49%
20042,084Suspension 45%
20031,569Suspension 40%
2002679Brakes 36%
2001493Brakes 41%
2000361Suspension 40%
1998192Suspension 39%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1999 Toyota Avensiss registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score