Toyota Avensis common problems and MOT failures

What usually goes wrong with a Toyota Avensis?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

• Rear suspension arm recall

  Cars registered 2009–2018 · All engines

  Rear suspension arms adjusted during an alignment or service could develop play and fail, risking loss of control.

  At the viewing: Ask a Toyota dealer whether the recall was done.

  Source: What Car?: used Toyota Avensis (2009-2015) reliability

• Early clutch failure (diesel)

  Cars registered 2003–2008 · Diesel

  Some clutches failed as early as 10,000 miles, especially on diesels. Most were replaced under warranty.

  At the viewing: Check the clutch bites smoothly and doesn't slip under hard acceleration.

  Source: What Car?: Toyota Avensis (2003-2009) reliability

• Brake recalls and steering column rattle

  Cars registered 2003–2008 · All engines

  There were a couple of brake-related recalls. A rattle from the steering column is a known, harmless problem.

  At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.

  Source: What Car?: Toyota Avensis (2003-2009) reliability

• Accelerator pedal recall (2010)

  Cars registered 2009–2010 · Early cars

  The accelerator might not return to idle, or return slowly. Recalled cars had the pedal modified.

  At the viewing: Make sure the pedal springs back promptly.

  Source: What Car?: used Toyota Avensis (2009-2015) reliability

• Wet headlights and melting bulb holders

  Cars registered 2003–2008 · All engines

  Some cars get water or condensation in the headlights, and some have melting bulb holders.

  At the viewing: Look inside the headlights for moisture and check every bulb works.

  Source: What Car?: Toyota Avensis (2003-2009) reliability

Common Toyota Avensis MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

• Headlights

  up to 2.9× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

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

• Side repeaters

  up to 3.9× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2014.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

• Suspension arm

  up to 5.7× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Number plates

  up to 2.2× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

• Sub-frame

  up to 2.3× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 1998, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2014.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Corroded fuel pipes

  up to 24× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

Toyota Avensis MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2012 Toyota Avensis did best (70% passed first time, 6 points above all 2012 cars) and the 2018 did worst (82%, 1 point below all 2018 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Toyota Avensis

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the rear suspension arm recall been done?
2. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the Toyota Avensis as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the Toyota Avensis as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 5.7× as often on the Toyota Avensis as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?