2002 Toyota Avensis petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2002 Toyota Avensis petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2002 Toyota Avensis petrol than on all cars registered in 2002.

• Number plates1.9× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  14.1% All 2002 cars

  7.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.8% of all 2002 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.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.4× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  7.5% All 2002 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 3% of all 2002 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 light2.9× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  5.6% All 2002 cars

  1.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 1.9% of all 2002 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.

• Individual direction indicators1.8× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  6.1% All 2002 cars

  3.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1.5% of all 2002 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.

• Handbrake performance3× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  3.3% All 2002 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

Common 2002 Toyota Avensis petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2002 Toyota Avensis petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  36% 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
  32% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  31% 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.

• 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  23% 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
  19% 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 2002 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 1.9× as often on the 2002 Toyota Avensis petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2002 Toyota Avensis petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2002 Toyota Avensis petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?