2001 Toyota Avensis petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 Toyota Avensis petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 Toyota Avensis petrol than on all cars registered in 2001.

• Number plates1.8× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  13.4% All 2001 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.8% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

• Brake pads1.9× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  11.6% All 2001 cars

  6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.4% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.4× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  7.6% All 2001 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 3.1% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

• Engine warning light2.2× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  4% All 2001 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.8% of all 2001 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 2001 Toyota Avensis petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• 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
  30% 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
  29% 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.

• Suspension
  29% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  21% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  20% 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 an engine warning light.

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

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

1. Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2001 Toyota Avensis petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2001 Toyota Avensis petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2001 Toyota Avensis petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?