Used car guide

2000 Toyota Avensis: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2000 Toyota Avensiss, from 361 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 361 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

361MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2000 cars: 63%)
4,200typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2000 Toyota Avensiss than on all cars registered in 2000.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.1× usual
    Toyota Avensis
    17.2% All 2000 cars
    8.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10%, against 4.3% of all 2000 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)2.4× usual
    Toyota Avensis
    10.5% All 2000 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.5%, against 4.3% of all 2000 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.

By area

The share of 2000 Toyota Avensis MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    40% 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.

  • Brakes
    36% 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.

  • Tyres
    30% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    22% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    16% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

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%
1999311Brakes 42%
1998192Suspension 39%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2000 Toyota Avensiss registered in 2000. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score