Toyota Avensis MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 71,506 MOT tests on the Toyota Avensis carried out in 2023. 34% failed at the first attempt, which is noticeably above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 7 in 10 Avensises passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1998 to 2018. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2009 models did best (66% passed, +6.6 points against the average for 14-year-old cars), while 1999 models fared worst (57%, −5.8 points). Tested cars had covered 117,592 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 17.6% of tests (noticeably above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 10.4% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 71,506
- First-time pass rate
- 66%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −5.2 points
- Average mileage at test
- 117,592
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Avensis?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Avensis MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1,184 | 83% | 84% | −1.6 points | 79,548 |
| 2017 | 2,532 | 84% | 82% | +1.9 points | 74,423 |
| 2016 | 3,743 | 82% | 79% | +3.3 points | 86,370 |
| 2015 | 3,434 | 79% | 75% | +3.1 points | 103,639 |
| 2014 | 3,241 | 75% | 72% | +3.3 points | 118,667 |
| 2013 | 3,356 | 73% | 68% | +5.0 points | 123,017 |
| 2012 | 5,256 | 72% | 66% | +6.2 points | 123,256 |
| 2011 | 4,799 | 69% | 63% | +6.0 points | 120,588 |
| 2010 | 6,164 | 67% | 60% | +6.1 points | 123,737 |
| 2009 | 5,805 | 66% | 59% | +6.6 points | 124,727 |
| 2008 | 6,089 | 59% | 57% | +1.3 points | 124,734 |
| 2007 | 6,208 | 58% | 57% | +1.2 points | 130,939 |
| 2006 | 5,711 | 58% | 56% | +2.3 points | 126,017 |
| 2005 | 4,507 | 57% | 56% | +1.2 points | 122,690 |
| 2004 | 3,419 | 59% | 56% | +3.0 points | 117,282 |
| 2003 | 2,502 | 58% | 57% | +1.5 points | 114,228 |
| 2002 | 1,165 | 56% | 58% | −1.9 points | 111,254 |
| 2001 | 846 | 57% | 59% | −1.3 points | 108,264 |
| 2000 | 597 | 60% | 61% | −0.8 points | 113,162 |
| 1999 | 556 | 57% | 62% | −5.8 points | 122,544 |
| 1998 | 385 | 62% | 64% | −1.6 points | 120,855 |
Why the Toyota Avensis fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Avensis | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 17.6% | 11.3% |
| Brakes | 9.4% | 6.8% |
| Suspension | 9.0% | 8.9% |
| Tyres | 6.0% | 6.3% |
| Visibility | 5.4% | 4.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.2% | 3.1% |
| Body and structure | 2.9% | 3.5% |
| Steering | 1.0% | 1.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.9% | 1.0% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.6% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working10.4%
- 2fractured or broken3.1%
- 3does not clear the windscreen effectively2.6%
- 4less than 1.5 mm thick2.5%
- 5tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
- 6not working on dipped beam2.2%
- 7ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.0%
- 8projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.9%
- 9inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.8%
- 10inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.7%
Common Avensis MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Avensis, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 17.0% |
| corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 10.2% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 9.6% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 9.4% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 7.4% |
| excessively corroded | Brakes | 7.2% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 7.0% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 5.3% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.2% |
| inscription illegible | Number plates and VIN | 5.1% |
Tips to help your Avensis pass
Based on where Avensises most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 17.6% of Avensis tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 9.4% of Avensis tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the Avensis ULEZ compliant? See the Toyota Avensis ULEZ check, or view all Toyota models.
Other Toyota models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 71,506 first MOT tests of the Toyota Avensis carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 71,506 first MOT tests of the Toyota Avensis.
What is the Toyota Avensis MOT failure rate?
In our data, 34% of 71,506 first MOT attempts on the Toyota Avensis ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Toyota Avensis fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (17.6% of tests), brakes (9.4% of tests), suspension (9.0% of tests).
Which Avensis year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2009 cars performed best: 66% passed first time, +6.6 points against the average for 14-year-old cars. The weakest was 1999, at 57% (−5.8 points).
How many miles had a typical Toyota Avensis covered at its MOT?
The average was 117,592 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2018 cars averaged 79,548 miles and 1998 cars 120,855.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Toyota Avensis?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 17.0% of tests, in the tyres area. 6.0% of Avensises failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Avensis's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 71,506 Avensises in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 56% to 84% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
Check any Avensis's MOT history
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