2000 Toyota Avensis — MOT failures & pass rate
4,194 MOT tests on the 2000 Toyota Avensis are in this dataset, and 74.1% of them passed. Large family cars of a similar age fail 27.9% of the time, so this is 2.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.3%) and emissions & environmental (10.8%) 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 headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 543 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.1% in the 0-30k band and 31.5% in the 150k+ band, a 20.4-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 31.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.3% | 556 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 10.8% | 454 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.5% | 398 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.4% | 394 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.4% | 267 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.6% | 233 |
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 | 543 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 456 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 243 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 222 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 192 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 162 |
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 | 31.5% | 1,322 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.1% | 1,177 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.8% | 1,122 |
| 4 | Other defects | 20.8% | 873 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.0% | 671 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.9% | 581 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 36 | 11.1% |
| 30-60k | 318 | 14.8% |
| 60-90k | 973 | 23.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,175 | 24.6% |
| 120-150k | 883 | 30.2% |
| 150k+ | 809 | 31.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,075 | 25.9% |
| Diesel | 119 | 27.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,383 | 26.3% |
| 2022 | 1,050 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 761 | 24.8% |
| 2024 | 557 | 25.5% |
| 2025 | 443 | 25.3% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Avensis
On a 2000 Avensis, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (10.8% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (9.5% 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 2000 Toyota Avensiss pass their MOT?
74.1% of the 4,194 2000 Toyota Avensis MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Toyota Avensis?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.3% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (10.8%).
Does the 2000 Avensis get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.1% in the 0-30k band to 31.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,194 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.