2010 Toyota Avensis diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2010 Toyota Avensis diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2010 Toyota Avensis diesel than on all cars registered in 2010.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  17.8% All 2010 cars

  10.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 2.1% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Individual direction indicators2.5× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  8.1% All 2010 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.3% of all 2010 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.

• Link ball joint covers2.6× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  6.7% All 2010 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.5% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Headlights1.7× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  9.6% All 2010 cars

  5.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 3.4% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Corroded fuel pipes9.8× usual
  Toyota Avensis

  3.9% All 2010 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

Common 2010 Toyota Avensis diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2010 Toyota Avensis diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  44% 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
  36% 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
  35% 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
  34% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Steering
  7% of testsRough price £100–£450

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Known faults on the 2010 Toyota Avensis diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Rear suspension arm recall

  All engines

  Rear suspension arms adjusted during an alignment or service could develop play and fail, risking loss of control.

  At the viewing: Ask a Toyota dealer whether the recall was done.

  Source: What Car?: used Toyota Avensis (2009-2015) reliability

• Accelerator pedal recall (2010)

  Early cars

  The accelerator might not return to idle, or return slowly. Recalled cars had the pedal modified.

  At the viewing: Make sure the pedal springs back promptly.

  Source: What Car?: used Toyota Avensis (2009-2015) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2010 Toyota Avensis diesel

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

1. Has the rear suspension arm recall been done?
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2010 Toyota Avensis diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2010 Toyota Avensis diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2010 Toyota Avensis diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?