Used car guide · 1997–2018

Toyota Avensis common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Toyota Avensis, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 189,700 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1997 Toyota Avensis

Too few Toyota Avensis cars first registered in 1997 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Toyota Avensis as a whole.

18on the UK register at the end of 2025
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol)
What to check on a 1997 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997

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, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Side repeaters

    up to 3.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    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 5.4× 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.

  • Other suspension component

    up to 3.7× usual

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

    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.

  • Engine warning light

    up to 2.9× usual

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

    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.

  • Link ball joint covers

    up to 2.4× usual

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

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Individual direction indicators

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

    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.

Diesel

  • Headlights

    up to 3.2× 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.

  • Sub-frame

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014 and 2015.

    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.

  • Suspension arm

    up to 6.2× 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 plate lights

    up to 3.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

  • Diesel smoke emissions

    up to 6.9× usual

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

    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 oil leaks

    up to 6.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

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.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201882%83% -13,447
201782%80% +27,415
201681%77% +410,796
201577%74% +39,692
201474%70% +49,205
201372%67% +59,539
201270%64% +614,578
201167%62% +513,347
201066%60% +616,800
200964%59% +515,743
200859%57% +215,804
200758%57% +115,621
200658%56% +214,179
200557%57% +011,012
200459%57% +28,252
200357%57% +06,058
200257%58% -12,728
200160%60% +01,985
200060%61% -11,397
199957%63% -61,258
199861%65% -4844

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?

Looking at a Toyota Avensis?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score