2007 Toyota Avensis — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 39,769 MOT tests, the 2007 Toyota Avensis recorded a 75.1% pass rate. That is 1.9 percentage points better than large family cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.0% of tests against 10.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, rigid brake pipes and coil spring — position lamp alone was recorded 3,570 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.4% in the 0-30k band and 27.8% in the 150k+ band, a 12.5-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 23.1% fail against 26.4% for diesel, a 3.3-point gap across 39,755 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 33.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 7,157 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.7% | 4,234 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.1% | 4,028 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.5% | 2,183 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.3% | 2,101 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.2% | 1,263 |
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 | 3,570 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,313 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 1,984 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 1,961 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,715 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 1,440 |
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 | 33.5% | 13,306 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.0% | 13,105 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.8% | 10,654 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 5,349 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.0% | 5,179 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.2% | 3,651 |
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 | 130 | 15.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,808 | 14.2% |
| 60-90k | 5,933 | 20.6% |
| 90-120k | 9,940 | 24.4% |
| 120-150k | 9,749 | 26.6% |
| 150k+ | 12,197 | 27.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 21,728 | 26.4% |
| Petrol | 18,027 | 23.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,612 | 25.0% |
| 2022 | 9,210 | 24.8% |
| 2023 | 7,964 | 25.0% |
| 2024 | 6,617 | 24.8% |
| 2025 | 5,366 | 25.2% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Avensis
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.7% 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.
- Suspension (10.1% 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 2007 Toyota Avensiss pass their MOT?
75.1% of the 39,769 2007 Toyota Avensis MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Toyota Avensis?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.0% of tests, followed by brakes (10.7%).
Does the 2007 Avensis get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.4% in the 0-30k band to 27.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 39,769 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.