2004 Toyota Avensis — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 22,346 MOT tests, the 2004 Toyota Avensis recorded a 76.2% pass rate. That is 4.2 percentage points better than large family cars of a similar age, which fail at 28.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.7% of all tests — 9.5 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and headlamp — position lamp alone was recorded 1,873 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.1% in the 0-30k band and 28.7% in the 150k+ band, a 9.6-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.9pp more often than petrol ones (26.1% vs 23.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 32.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 4,172 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.2% | 2,057 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.9% | 1,987 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 1,639 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.7% | 1,267 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.0% | 1,113 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 1,873 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,376 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 1,300 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 1,127 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 1,046 |
| 6 | Wipers | 809 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 32.8% | 7,331 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.6% | 6,845 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.2% | 5,854 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 4,021 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.8% | 3,075 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.5% | 2,794 |
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 | 94 | 19.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,197 | 14.4% |
| 60-90k | 4,448 | 20.5% |
| 90-120k | 6,678 | 23.1% |
| 120-150k | 5,539 | 25.6% |
| 150k+ | 4,381 | 28.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 18,077 | 23.3% |
| Diesel | 4,269 | 26.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,701 | 24.3% |
| 2022 | 5,317 | 23.4% |
| 2023 | 4,278 | 23.4% |
| 2024 | 3,441 | 23.8% |
| 2025 | 2,609 | 24.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Avensis
On a 2004 Avensis, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.2% 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.
- Brakes (8.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2004 Toyota Avensiss pass their MOT?
76.2% of the 22,346 2004 Toyota Avensis MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Toyota Avensis?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.7% of tests, followed by suspension (9.2%).
Does the 2004 Avensis get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.1% in the 0-30k band to 28.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,346 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.