Toyota Avensis: what fails at MOT
74,000 MOT tests on the Toyota Avensis in 2024, counted. 33.4% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
33.5% of Toyota Avensis tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 35.2%, so the Avensis is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (12.8% of tests), brakes (6.9% of tests) and suspension (6.6% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1,444 | 16.6% | 15.6% | 77,300 52,900 to 124,900 |
| 2017 | 3,161 | 18.5% | 18.2% | 71,600 45,400 to 115,900 |
| 2016 | 4,398 | 19.8% | 21.3% | 82,900 57,700 to 120,100 |
| 2015 | 4,156 | 22.4% | 24.4% | 96,600 68,800 to 143,100 |
| 2014 | 3,772 | 25.1% | 27.7% | 111,400 77,100 to 166,800 |
| 2013 | 3,788 | 26.9% | 30.6% | 114,100 79,700 to 165,600 |
| 2012 | 6,140 | 29.9% | 33.4% | 113,500 83,700 to 156,800 |
| 2011 | 5,504 | 32.3% | 36.1% | 115,400 87,300 to 153,900 |
| 2010 | 7,069 | 34.4% | 38.6% | 120,000 91,200 to 156,100 |
| 2009 | 6,638 | 37.2% | 39.8% | 121,800 91,200 to 158,300 |
| 2008 | 6,608 | 40.4% | 41.5% | 122,300 92,200 to 156,500 |
| 2007 | 6,682 | 41.4% | 41.5% | 128,700 99,000 to 162,200 |
| 2006 | 6,135 | 44.0% | 42.4% | 124,600 96,100 to 159,000 |
| 2005 | 4,589 | 42.1% | 42.2% | 120,200 92,600 to 150,100 |
| 2004 | 3,565 | 41.2% | 42.3% | 116,200 88,600 to 139,800 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Toyota Avensis tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Avensis | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 12.8% | 10.8% | |
| Brakes | 6.9% | 6.4% | |
| Suspension | 6.6% | 9.1% | Less than most |
| Tyres | 4.5% | 4.7% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 4.0% | 3.8% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.4% | 3.2% | |
| Body and structure | 1.9% | 3.7% | Less than most |
| Steering | 0.9% | 2.0% | Less than most |
The parts that fail most
- Side light4.9%
- Headlamp aim2.8%
- Headlamp2.6%
- Tyre2.5%
- Tyre tread2.1%
- Brake pads2.1%
- Washers1.9%
- Coil spring1.9%
- Wipers1.9%
- Brake light1.9%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working4.7%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.0%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.9%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.9%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.9%
- Brake light: not working1.7%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.6%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.4%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.3%
- Side indicators: not working1.3%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge14.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.5%
- Brake pads: wearing thin7.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement6.2%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.8%
- Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened5.6%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material5.1%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened5.1%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Toyota Avensis's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.