Used car guide

2001 Toyota Avensis: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Toyota Avensiss, from 493 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 493 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

493MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
4,300typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Toyota Avensiss than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Brake pads2.3× usual
    Toyota Avensis
    12.6% All 2001 cars
    5.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.2% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.8× usual
    Toyota Avensis
    8.9% All 2001 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.5%, against 3.1% of all 2001 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.

Better than most

Coil springs: 4.7% here, against 9.8% of all 2001 cars.

By area

The share of 2001 Toyota Avensis MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    41% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    33% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    31% 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.

  • Suspension
    31% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    24% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    22% 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.

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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%
2000361Suspension 40%
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 2001 Toyota Avensiss registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score