Used car guide

2017 Toyota Avensis: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Toyota Avensiss, from 2,423 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,423MOT tests in 2025
81%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
9,900typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Toyota Avensiss than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Number plate lights1.9× usual
    Toyota Avensis
    4.6% All 2017 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.7% of all 2017 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.

  • Headlights2.4× usual
    Toyota Avensis
    3.1% All 2017 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.2% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Engine oil leaks1.9× usual
    Toyota Avensis
    3.8% All 2017 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

By area

The share of 2017 Toyota Avensis MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    25% 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.

  • Brakes
    21% 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
    17% 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
    13% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    4% 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%
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%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2017 Toyota Avensiss registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score