1999 Toyota Avensis — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1999 Toyota Avensis passed 72.8% of its 3,765 recorded MOT tests. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 27.7%, so the 1999 Avensis sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.4%) and emissions & environmental (11.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and position lamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 565 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.4% in the 30-60k band and 32.0% in the 150k+ band, a 18.6-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 33.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 504 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 11.7% | 440 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.2% | 385 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.8% | 371 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.4% | 242 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.9% | 222 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 565 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 344 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 247 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 236 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 193 |
| 6 | Wipers | 163 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 33.7% | 1,270 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.0% | 1,129 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.5% | 998 |
| 4 | Other defects | 24.4% | 919 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.0% | 602 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.1% | 532 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 239 | 13.4% |
| 60-90k | 646 | 21.5% |
| 90-120k | 997 | 25.5% |
| 120-150k | 997 | 32.2% |
| 150k+ | 851 | 32.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,664 | 27.3% |
| Diesel | 101 | 25.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,241 | 26.2% |
| 2022 | 922 | 26.6% |
| 2023 | 707 | 28.8% |
| 2024 | 512 | 28.9% |
| 2025 | 383 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Avensis
On a 1999 Avensis, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (11.7% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (10.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1999 Toyota Avensiss pass their MOT?
72.8% of the 3,765 1999 Toyota Avensis MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Toyota Avensis?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.4% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (11.7%).
Does the 1999 Avensis get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.4% in the 30-60k band to 32.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,765 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.