Toyota Avensis (2003)

22,624 real MOT outcomes analysed • 76.1% first-time pass rate

2003 Toyota Avensis

CarHunch analysed 22,624 real MOT records for the 2003 Toyota Avensis. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Average reliability 3.9% below UK average
76.1%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
75,252
typical mileage
59,616–93,948 middle half
24.7%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
3.71
avg MOT failures per car
over 14.5 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2003 Toyota Avensis

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • ⚠️ 24.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Toyota Avensis

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying

CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (76%) 17,299 76.4% 3.77
Diesel (23%) 5,252 75.2% 3.51
LPG (0%) 50 73.9% 4.44
Other (0%) 17 85.3% 1.35
Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) 2 66.8% 7
Electric (0%) 2 68.2% 5.5
CNG (0%) 1 65.4% 9
Diesel (0%) 1 66.7% 1

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 Toyota Avensis vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

59,616
low mileage
75,252
typical
93,948
high mileage

Half of all 2003 Toyota Avensis vehicles fall between 59,616 and 93,948 miles.

2003 Toyota Avensis — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 1,520 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (10% of peak).

14,913 1,520 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

14.5
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
3.71
Avg failures per vehicle
13.8
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Toyota Avensis

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 67.5%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 63.2%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 52.8%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 44.1%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 39%
    Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
  • 33.5%
    Oil leak
  • 33.2%
    Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
  • 21.1%
    Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Toyota Avensis?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Toyota Avensis:

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018