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Toyota Avensis reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 709,771 MOT tests of cars first registered 1998–2018.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
65.8%pass first time
+5.6 ptsvs typical car
Beats 71%of cars
709,771MOT tests

Verdict

The Toyota Avensis passes its MOT first time on 65.8% of tests, 5.6 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (60.2%). That puts it ahead of 71% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2016 Avensis does best (beats 87% of cars) and the 2007 worst (beats 63%).

Of its engines, the 1.6 Diesel does best (beats 79%) and the 2.0 Petrol worst (beats 65%).

Better than average on suspension, emissions & leaks, body & structure.

Watch these weak spots

Indicator side repeaters2.1×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%3456789101112131415161718192087%84%79%74%67%62%59%58%57%
Toyota AvensisTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1998
Beats 53%
1999
Beats 49%
2000
Beats 57%
2001
Beats 59%
2002
Beats 60%
2003
Beats 63%
2004
Beats 68%
2005
Beats 64%
2006
Beats 65%
2007
Beats 63%
2008
Beats 63%
2009
Beats 79%
2010
Beats 80%
2011
Beats 83%
2012
Beats 86%
2013
Beats 86%
2014
Beats 83%
2015
Beats 85%
2016
Beats 87%
2017
Beats 82%
2018
Beats 80%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol1998–2018293,00664.6%Beats 71%B
2.0 Diesel2002–2018250,40767.7%Beats 73%B
2.2 Diesel2005–201483,49462.0%Beats 68%B
2.0 Petrol1998–200947,32559.4%Beats 65%B
1.6 Diesel2015–201832,38381.2%Beats 79%B
1.6 Petrol2009–20103,15668.7%Beats 79%B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 4.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 8.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 14.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 18.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 6.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 9.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 18.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+0.6 ptsTyres: 6.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.6 ptsBrakes: 9.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.4 ptsSuspension: 8.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 14.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+6.2 ptsExhaust: 4.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.1 ptsSuspension: 8.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 14.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 9.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 6.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 18.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 4.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 18.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+0.6 ptsTyres: 6.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+1.6 ptsBrakes: 9.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 11.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+1.4 ptsSuspension: 8.6% of tests fail on suspension, against 14.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+6.2 ptsExhaust: 4.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.1 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Lights: 18.2% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 18.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
18.2% vs 18.8%
Brakes
9.7% vs 11.1%
Suspension
8.6% vs 14.8%
Tyres
6.2% vs 7.8%
Visibility
5.5% vs 6.5%
Emissions & leaks
4.3% vs 5.4%
Body & structure
2.6% vs 6.1%
Steering
1.0% vs 3.2%
Seat belts & airbags
0.9% vs 2.0%
Wheels
0.4% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Indicator side repeaters 2.1× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Headlight bulbs & units
    Check dipped and main beam on both sides.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k91%86%79%71%65%61%59%57%
Toyota AvensisTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Sidelights6.6%5.0%1.3×
Headlight aim3.7%4.9%0.8×
Headlight bulbs & units3.2%3.4%0.9×
Brake lights2.9%3.6%0.8×
Tyre damage & cracking2.9%3.9%0.8×
Tyre tread depth2.8%3.5%0.8×
Windscreen wipers2.7%2.7%1.0×
Coil springs2.7%3.3%0.8×
Brake pads2.6%2.4%1.1×
Brake pipes2.4%1.7%1.4×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning50.9
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements37.3
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements28.2
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning27.2
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened26.8
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen26.6
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm24.3
A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED22.7
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2018 Toyota Avensis3 engines83.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel4,00381.4%Beats 76%B
2.0 Diesel1,48986.1%Beats 91%A
1.8 Petrol1,46985.4%Beats 77%B
2017 Toyota Avensis3 engines84.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel6,55480.8%Beats 70%B
1.8 Petrol5,51688.1%Beats 93%A
2.0 Diesel4,99283.7%Beats 84%A
2016 Toyota Avensis3 engines83.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.6 Diesel13,41781.2%Beats 79%B
2.0 Diesel10,38884.4%Beats 93%A
1.8 Petrol5,24586.6%Beats 92%A
2015 Toyota Avensis3 engines81.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel17,31379.6%Beats 82%A
1.6 Diesel8,40981.4%Beats 85%A
1.8 Petrol4,00886.3%Beats 96%A
2014 Toyota Avensis3 engines77.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel23,64277.0%Beats 80%A
1.8 Petrol3,71182.0%Beats 93%A
2.2 Diesel1,80478.0%Beats 83%A
2013 Toyota Avensis3 engines76.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel22,51275.1%Beats 84%A
1.8 Petrol5,21779.8%Beats 91%A
2.2 Diesel2,80676.5%Beats 88%A
2012 Toyota Avensis3 engines74.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel29,75472.7%Beats 83%A
1.8 Petrol13,14177.7%Beats 92%A
2.2 Diesel3,88273.8%Beats 86%A
2011 Toyota Avensis3 engines71.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol19,39473.4%Beats 86%A
2.0 Diesel18,77569.0%Beats 78%B
2.2 Diesel5,00772.3%Beats 87%A
2010 Toyota Avensis4 engines68.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol26,55969.9%Beats 82%A
2.0 Diesel20,47266.1%Beats 76%B
2.2 Diesel7,05068.6%Beats 83%A
1.6 Petrol1,96670.7%Beats 85%A
2009 Toyota Avensis5 engines66.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol19,71169.0%Beats 83%A
2.0 Diesel19,17363.1%Beats 72%B
2.2 Diesel10,30164.8%Beats 76%B
2.0 Petrol4,36773.6%Beats 94%A
1.6 Petrol1,19065.4%Beats 69%B
2008 Toyota Avensis4 engines60.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol24,25162.4%Beats 66%B
2.0 Diesel19,78758.2%Beats 60%B
2.2 Diesel13,90758.7%Beats 62%B
2.0 Petrol1,86966.1%Beats 77%B
2007 Toyota Avensis4 engines58.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol23,66560.1%Beats 63%B
2.0 Diesel20,24657.3%Beats 61%B
2.2 Diesel17,19557.5%Beats 62%B
2.0 Petrol3,58663.9%Beats 74%B
2006 Toyota Avensis4 engines58.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol28,51260.2%Beats 67%B
2.2 Diesel16,63456.8%Beats 62%B
2.0 Diesel12,49156.6%Beats 62%B
2.0 Petrol4,87060.5%Beats 66%B
2005 Toyota Avensis4 engines57.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol28,66159.2%Beats 67%B
2.0 Diesel12,98954.9%Beats 62%B
2.0 Petrol6,28556.5%Beats 59%C
2.2 Diesel4,90855.2%Beats 61%B
2004 Toyota Avensis3 engines57.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol25,54558.7%Beats 69%B
2.0 Diesel10,54954.8%Beats 65%B
2.0 Petrol7,71858.7%Beats 68%B
2003 Toyota Avensis3 engines56.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol22,29956.6%Beats 63%B
2.0 Petrol6,08156.7%Beats 63%B
2.0 Diesel4,54954.6%Beats 65%B
2002 Toyota Avensis3 engines55.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol11,52356.0%Beats 60%B
2.0 Petrol3,30553.8%Beats 56%C
2.0 Diesel1,28653.3%Beats 62%B
2001 Toyota Avensis2 engines55.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol8,68356.5%Beats 60%B
2.0 Petrol2,71553.7%Beats 54%C
2000 Toyota Avensis2 engines55.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol6,52955.9%Beats 57%C
2.0 Petrol2,23655.6%Beats 57%C
1999 Toyota Avensis2 engines54.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol5,61754.4%Beats 48%C
2.0 Petrol2,28355.8%Beats 52%C
1998 Toyota Avensis2 engines57.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol3,75057.5%Beats 53%C
2.0 Petrol2,01057.7%Beats 55%C

FAQ

What is the Toyota Avensis MOT pass rate?

65.8% of MOT tests on the Toyota Avensis were passed first time, based on 709,771 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1998–2018. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 60.2% of the time.

Is the Toyota Avensis reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 71% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Toyota Avensis year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2016 Avensis does best for its age and mileage: it beats 87% of cars on UK roads. The 2007 does worst: it beats 63%.

Which Toyota Avensis engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.6 Diesel does best: it beats 79% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Petrol does worst: it beats 65%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Toyota Avensis?

The most common failure items are sidelights, headlight aim, headlight bulbs & units. Compared with similar cars, indicator side repeaters comes up 2.1× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.