Used car guide

2002 Toyota Avensis: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Toyota Avensiss, from 679 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

679MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
4,600typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for number plates

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Toyota Avensiss than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Number plates2.1× usual
    Toyota Avensis
    16.1% All 2002 cars
    7.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.7% of all 2002 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.

  • Individual direction indicators2.2× usual
    Toyota Avensis
    7.1% All 2002 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 1.4% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.2× usual
    Toyota Avensis
    6.6% All 2002 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.9% of all 2002 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.

  • Engine warning light2.7× usual
    Toyota Avensis
    4.9% All 2002 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 1.8% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 7.2% here, against 17.7% of all 2002 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4% here, against 8.3% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 Toyota Avensis MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    33% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    32% 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
    28% 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.

  • 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
    19% 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.

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%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Toyota Avensiss registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score