Toyota Avensis reliability: what 186k MOT tests show
Across 186,125 MOT tests on Toyota Avensis cars first used between 2000 and 2018, 66.1% passed first time. The figure for all cars is 71.7%. Allowing for age, the Avensis beats a typical car tested at the same age by 4.3 points. That is the fairer test, and it puts the model above average. The most common reason for a fail is a sidelight not working.
Why Toyota Avensiss fail the MOT
The Avensis's failures cluster around lights: a sidelight not working on 17.4% of fails, a number plate light not working on 8.8%. Percentages can add to more than 100 because one failed test often records several defects.
A blown bulb fails the test as surely as a worn brake, and a bulb is a few pounds. Check brake lights with the car reversed up to a wall.
What testers flag before it fails
An advisory is the tester telling you what fails next year. On the Avensis the usual suspects are tyre tread below the legal minimum (17.2% of tests) and worn brake discs (9.7%). How often each category of advisory turns into a failure is measured across the whole dataset.
Petrol, diesel or hybrid Avensis?
Among Toyota Avensis cars, diesel versions pass 67.4% of the time and petrol versions 64.6%, a gap of 2.8 points.
| Fuel | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 67.4% | 97,787 |
| Petrol | 64.6% | 86,885 |
Every Avensis year, 2000 to 2018
The oldest Avensiss on the road, from 2000, pass 60.2% of the time; the 2018 cars pass 82.1%. Read the table as an age curve first and a quality ranking second.
| First used | Pass rate | Tests | Miles a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Avensis 2018 | 82.1% | 3,425 | 15,570 |
| Toyota Avensis 2017 | 82.3% | 7,379 | 12,118 |
| Toyota Avensis 2016 | 80.6% | 10,740 | 11,899 |
| Toyota Avensis 2015 | 77.4% | 9,632 | 12,493 |
| Toyota Avensis 2014 | 73.8% | 9,137 | 12,738 |
| Toyota Avensis 2013 | 72.1% | 9,474 | 11,730 |
| Toyota Avensis 2012 | 70.2% | 14,502 | 10,578 |
| Toyota Avensis 2011 | 67.5% | 13,254 | 9,541 |
| Toyota Avensis 2010 | 65.5% | 16,701 | 9,102 |
| Toyota Avensis 2009 | 63.8% | 15,637 | 8,535 |
| Toyota Avensis 2008 | 58.7% | 15,613 | 7,940 |
| Toyota Avensis 2007 | 58.2% | 15,482 | 7,821 |
| Toyota Avensis 2006 | 57.7% | 14,019 | 7,126 |
| Toyota Avensis 2005 | 57.4% | 10,897 | 6,529 |
| Toyota Avensis 2004 | 58.7% | 8,172 | 5,880 |
| Toyota Avensis 2003 | 57.4% | 5,988 | 5,489 |
| Toyota Avensis 2002 | 57.4% | 2,709 | 5,073 |
| Toyota Avensis 2001 | 59.7% | 1,974 | 4,749 |
| Toyota Avensis 2000 | 60.2% | 1,390 | 4,691 |
How mileage changes the Avensis's odds
On the 2010 cars, a Avensis under 40,000 miles passes 84.4% of the time; one over 100,000 passes 62.4%. When comparing two used Avensiss, the odometer tells you more than the year.
| Mileage at test (2010 cars) | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 84.4% | 263 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 74.8% | 816 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 74.5% | 1,801 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 67.6% | 2,799 |
| Over 100,000 | 62.4% | 11,017 |
How the Avensis compares
Set against the rest of the Toyota range, which averages 74.5%, the Avensis at 66.1% is below par. Within the family, see Yaris common problems (72.5%), Aygo common problems (75.9%), Prius common problems (78.4%) and how the RAV4 does (77%), or the Toyota range at the MOT. Buyers weighing a Avensis against other cars of similar popularity often compare it with the Renault Kadjar (76.8%) and Mercedes-Benz GLC (86.5%). The full reliability table puts them side by side, and the statistics for all 98 million tests give the baseline.
Year by year
Each year opens to show its own failure list and pass rate by mileage.
Toyota Avensis 2018 82.1% pass 3,425 tests
On a 2018 Toyota Avensis, brake pads worn below 1.5mm appears on 12.9% of failed tests, with a headlamp not working next at 12.4%.
2018 cars pass 90.3% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 76.2% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 90.3% | 485 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 86.6% | 657 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 83.7% | 645 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 80% | 434 |
| Over 100,000 | 76.2% | 1,204 |
By fuel: diesel 81.3% (2,690 tests), petrol 85.4% (726 tests).
Toyota Avensis 2017 82.3% pass 7,379 tests
On a 2017 Toyota Avensis, brake pads worn below 1.5mm appears on 11.7% of failed tests, with a headlamp not working next at 11%.
2017 cars pass 91.6% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 75% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 91.6% | 1,419 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 84.6% | 1,557 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 83.8% | 1,314 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 79% | 904 |
| Over 100,000 | 75% | 2,185 |
By fuel: diesel 80.2% (4,947 tests), petrol 86.7% (2,408 tests).
Toyota Avensis 2016 80.6% pass 10,740 tests
On a 2016 Toyota Avensis, brake pads worn below 1.5mm appears on 12.9% of failed tests, with a headlamp not working next at 10.4%.
2016 cars pass 89.9% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 74.7% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 89.9% | 1,204 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 84.8% | 1,890 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 83.1% | 2,164 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 79.4% | 1,718 |
| Over 100,000 | 74.7% | 3,764 |
By fuel: diesel 79.9% (8,714 tests), petrol 84.4% (1,982 tests).
Toyota Avensis 2015 77.4% pass 9,632 tests
On a 2015 Toyota Avensis, brake pads worn below 1.5mm appears on 10.6% of failed tests, with wipers not clearing the screen next at 8.7%.
2015 cars pass 91.3% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 71.5% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 91.3% | 601 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 84.8% | 1,236 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 83.1% | 1,765 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 76.8% | 1,608 |
| Over 100,000 | 71.5% | 4,420 |
By fuel: diesel 76.5% (8,261 tests), petrol 83.3% (1,350 tests).
Toyota Avensis 2014 73.8% pass 9,137 tests
On a 2014 Toyota Avensis, a sidelight not working appears on 12.4% of failed tests, with brake pads worn below 1.5mm next at 8.6%.
2014 cars pass 85.5% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 69.4% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 85.5% | 337 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 82.8% | 807 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 81% | 1,291 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 76% | 1,415 |
| Over 100,000 | 69.4% | 5,287 |
By fuel: diesel 73.1% (7,898 tests), petrol 79.3% (1,202 tests).
Toyota Avensis 2013 72.1% pass 9,474 tests
On a 2013 Toyota Avensis, a sidelight not working appears on 14.3% of failed tests, with a number plate light not working next at 11.6%.
2013 cars pass 87% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 67.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 87% | 322 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 81.9% | 777 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 79.7% | 1,296 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 74.2% | 1,443 |
| Over 100,000 | 67.6% | 5,635 |
By fuel: diesel 71.2% (7,677 tests), petrol 76.3% (1,725 tests).
Toyota Avensis 2012 70.2% pass 14,502 tests
On a 2012 Toyota Avensis, a sidelight not working appears on 13.4% of failed tests, with a number plate light not working next at 11.9%.
2012 cars pass 82.8% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 66% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 82.8% | 314 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 84.1% | 1,003 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 77.3% | 1,906 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 72.7% | 2,412 |
| Over 100,000 | 66% | 8,866 |
By fuel: diesel 68.8% (10,003 tests), petrol 73.8% (4,330 tests).
Toyota Avensis 2011 67.5% pass 13,254 tests
On a 2011 Toyota Avensis, a sidelight not working appears on 23.6% of failed tests, with a number plate light not working next at 13.5%.
2011 cars pass 84.7% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 63.2% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 84.7% | 235 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 81.8% | 953 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 76.5% | 1,612 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 68.7% | 2,305 |
| Over 100,000 | 63.2% | 8,149 |
By fuel: diesel 65.7% (6,674 tests), petrol 69.5% (6,396 tests).
Toyota Avensis 2010 65.5% pass 16,701 tests
On a 2010 Toyota Avensis, a sidelight not working appears on 22.1% of failed tests, with a number plate light not working next at 13.2%.
2010 cars pass 84.4% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 62.4% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 84.4% | 263 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 74.8% | 816 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 74.5% | 1,801 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 67.6% | 2,799 |
| Over 100,000 | 62.4% | 11,017 |
By fuel: petrol 67.2% (9,047 tests), diesel 63.6% (7,407 tests).
Toyota Avensis 2009 63.8% pass 15,637 tests
On a 2009 Toyota Avensis, a sidelight not working appears on 23.5% of failed tests, with a number plate light not working next at 12%.
2009 cars pass 85.9% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 59.8% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 85.9% | 305 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 79.5% | 872 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 72.7% | 1,625 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 67.3% | 2,204 |
| Over 100,000 | 59.8% | 10,630 |
By fuel: petrol 66.3% (7,785 tests), diesel 61% (7,734 tests).
Toyota Avensis 2008 58.7% pass 15,613 tests
On a 2008 Toyota Avensis, a sidelight not working appears on 22.2% of failed tests, with a broken coil spring next at 14.5%.
2008 cars pass 83.1% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 55.2% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 83.1% | 266 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 74.8% | 781 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 66.3% | 1,642 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 60.9% | 2,401 |
| Over 100,000 | 55.2% | 10,520 |
By fuel: diesel 57.1% (7,846 tests), petrol 60.3% (7,672 tests).
Toyota Avensis 2007 58.2% pass 15,482 tests
On a 2007 Toyota Avensis, a sidelight not working appears on 22.4% of failed tests, with a brake light not working next at 14%.
2007 cars pass 83.9% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 55% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 83.9% | 161 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 75.5% | 601 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 67.6% | 1,306 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 62.8% | 2,087 |
| Over 100,000 | 55% | 11,324 |
By fuel: diesel 56.7% (7,843 tests), petrol 59.7% (7,591 tests).
Toyota Avensis 2006 57.7% pass 14,019 tests
On a 2006 Toyota Avensis, a sidelight not working appears on 23.7% of failed tests, with a brake light not working next at 13.5%.
2006 cars pass 82.9% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 54.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 82.9% | 193 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 70.2% | 608 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 68.3% | 1,273 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 60% | 2,137 |
| Over 100,000 | 54.6% | 9,806 |
By fuel: petrol 58.7% (8,424 tests), diesel 56.1% (5,561 tests).
Toyota Avensis 2005 57.4% pass 10,897 tests
On a 2005 Toyota Avensis, a sidelight not working appears on 23.6% of failed tests, with a brake light not working next at 13.6%.
2005 cars pass 79.9% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 53.4% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 79.9% | 159 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 75.8% | 479 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 68.5% | 1,086 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 60.4% | 1,717 |
| Over 100,000 | 53.4% | 7,455 |
By fuel: petrol 58% (8,165 tests), diesel 55.4% (2,718 tests).
Toyota Avensis 2004 58.7% pass 8,172 tests
On a 2004 Toyota Avensis, a sidelight not working appears on 20.5% of failed tests, with a dashboard warning light next at 14%.
2004 cars pass 82.2% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 54.9% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 82.2% | 118 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 74.1% | 379 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 64.5% | 972 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 62.1% | 1,508 |
| Over 100,000 | 54.9% | 5,194 |
By fuel: petrol 59.2% (6,900 tests), diesel 55.5% (1,258 tests).
Toyota Avensis 2003 57.4% pass 5,988 tests
On a 2003 Toyota Avensis, a sidelight not working appears on 20.9% of failed tests, with a dashboard warning light next at 17.6%.
2003 cars pass 78.6% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 53% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 78.6% | 98 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 72.2% | 388 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 66.6% | 686 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 59% | 1,180 |
| Over 100,000 | 53% | 3,635 |
By fuel: petrol 57.6% (5,424 tests), diesel 54.3% (556 tests).
Toyota Avensis 2002 57.4% pass 2,709 tests
On a 2002 Toyota Avensis, a sidelight not working appears on 15.5% of failed tests, with body mounting corroded at a mounting point next at 14%.
2002 cars pass 84.1% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 50.3% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 84.1% | 44 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 75.5% | 216 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 63.2% | 432 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 64.2% | 491 |
| Over 100,000 | 50.3% | 1,526 |
Toyota Avensis 2001 59.7% pass 1,974 tests
On a 2001 Toyota Avensis, body mounting corroded at a mounting point appears on 21.5% of failed tests, with a sidelight not working next at 11.8%.
2001 cars pass 82.9% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 54.8% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 82.9% | 41 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 79.5% | 190 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 64.8% | 281 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 57.3% | 396 |
| Over 100,000 | 54.8% | 1,065 |
Toyota Avensis 2000 60.2% pass 1,390 tests
On a 2000 Toyota Avensis, body mounting corroded at a mounting point appears on 19% of failed tests, with a sidelight not working next at 14.3%.
2000 cars pass 81.6% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 56.9% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 81.6% | 49 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 71.4% | 84 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 63.6% | 217 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 59.7% | 258 |
| Over 100,000 | 56.9% | 782 |
Questions people ask
Is the Toyota Avensis reliable?
On MOT evidence the Toyota Avensis is above average. It passes 66.1% of tests against 71.7% for all cars, and beats cars of the same age by 4.3 points. Figures from 186,125 DVSA tests.
What are the most common Toyota Avensis MOT failures?
A sidelight not working (17.4% of failed tests), a number plate light not working (8.8%) and a broken coil spring (6.1%). A blown bulb fails the test as surely as a worn brake, and a bulb is a few pounds. Check brake lights with the car reversed up to a wall.
Which Toyota Avensis year is the most reliable?
Among years with a large sample, 2017 cars have the highest pass rate at 82.3% and 2003 cars the lowest at 57.4%. Newer years pass more because they are younger, so compare a specific car's year against the table above rather than against the overall figure.
What advisories does a Toyota Avensis usually get?
Tyre tread below the legal minimum is the most frequent, noted on 17.2% of all Avensis tests, then worn brake discs (9.7%). An advisory passes the car today but marks the item most likely to fail next year.
How many miles a year does a Toyota Avensis do?
About 9,189 miles a year on average, calculated from the odometer readings recorded at consecutive MOTs. That is above the UK average of roughly 7,400, which is typical of a car bought for commuting or work.
How do I check a particular Toyota Avensis?
The figures describe the whole fleet. For one car, enter its registration in the free MOT check to see its own test history, advisories and mileage, set against these averages for its year.
Checking a Avensis before you buy?
Enter the registration to see its own MOT history, advisories and mileage set against these figures, including whether it has done more or fewer than the 9,189 miles a year typical of the model.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 to 2025. Class 4 cars, normal tests only; a pass after rectification counts as an initial failure. Age-adjusted figures compare the model's pass rate at each age with the national rate at the same age. Methodology.