Used car guide

2001 Toyota Avensis diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Toyota Avensis first registered in 2001 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 122 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 122 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

122MOTs of 2001 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
56%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 60%)
6,400typical miles a year
53%had suspension flagged

Common 2001 Toyota Avensis diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 Toyota Avensis diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    53% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    38% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Tyres
    30% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    20% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Rust and bodywork
    11% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2001 Toyota Avensis diesel

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Toyota Avensis?

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Other years

Every year of the Toyota Avensis compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20183,447Tyres 26%
20177,415Tyres 25%
201610,796Tyres 27%
20159,692Tyres 29%
20149,205Tyres 30%
20139,539Tyres 31%
201214,578Tyres 31%
201113,347Suspension 37%
201016,800Suspension 41%
200915,743Suspension 45%
200815,804Suspension 41%
200715,621Suspension 43%
200614,179Suspension 43%
200511,012Suspension 44%
20048,252Lights and electrics 40%
20036,058Lights and electrics 38%
20022,728Brakes 36%
20001,397Suspension 37%
19991,258Suspension 42%
1998844Suspension 36%
1997–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Toyota Avensis cars first registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score