2008 Toyota Avensis: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Toyota Avensis?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Toyota Avensis than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Suspension arm5× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  14.9% All 2008 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Rigid brake pipes1.7× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  15.4% All 2008 cars

  9.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.7% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Side repeaters3.7× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  5.2% All 2008 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 0.9% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Other suspension component3.1× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  2.5% All 2008 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Rear fog light2.1× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  2.1% All 2008 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.9% of all 2008 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.

Common 2008 Toyota Avensis MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Toyota Avensis MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  41% 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
  37% 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
  35% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  10% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  7% 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.

Known faults on the 2008 Toyota Avensis

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Early clutch failure (diesel)

  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

  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

• Wet headlights and melting bulb holders

  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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Toyota Avensis

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

1. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 5× as often on the 2008 Toyota Avensis as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2008 Toyota Avensis as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2008 Toyota Avensis as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?