2003 Toyota Avensis MOT pass rate: 69.4% (5,988 tests)
Is the 2003 Avensis getting worse?
Pass rate of 2003-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 70.5% +6.1 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 69.1% +4.4 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 67.9% +1.7 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2003 Avensis
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1,714 | 28.3% |
| 2 | Brakes | 1,101 | 18.2% |
| 3 | Suspension | 951 | 15.7% |
| 4 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 805 | 13.3% |
| 5 | Tyres | 469 | 7.7% |
| 6 | Visibility | 388 | 6.4% |
All Avensis years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1,974 | 69.8% | +3.3 pts | 102,895 |
| 2002 | 2,706 | 67.3% | +1.6 pts | 106,136 |
| 2003 (this page) | 5,988 | 69.4% | +4.4 pts | 109,718 |
| 2004 | 8,166 | 70.3% | +6.0 pts | 113,663 |
| 2005 | 10,897 | 68.9% | +4.4 pts | 118,593 |
| 2006 | 14,017 | 68.5% | +4.1 pts | 122,227 |
| 2007 | 15,476 | 68.2% | +3.1 pts | 126,795 |
| 2008 | 15,606 | 68.3% | +3.2 pts | 119,501 |
| 2009 | 15,637 | 72.1% | +5.7 pts | 120,453 |
| 2010 | 16,701 | 73.9% | +6.6 pts | 117,838 |
| 2011 | 13,253 | 75.6% | +6.4 pts | 112,538 |
| 2012 | 14,502 | 77.1% | +5.9 pts | 113,141 |
| 2013 | 9,474 | 78.0% | +4.6 pts | 113,000 |
| 2014 | 9,137 | 79.5% | +3.6 pts | 110,604 |
| 2015 | 9,632 | 82.5% | +3.7 pts | 94,944 |
| 2016 | 10,740 | 85.5% | +4.1 pts | 80,932 |
| 2017 | 7,379 | 86.6% | +2.5 pts | 70,229 |
| 2018 | 3,425 | 86.2% | -0.2 pts | 77,227 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Toyota Avensis years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2003 Toyota Avensis reliable?
2003-registered examples passed 69.4% of their MOT tests (5,988 tests, 2023–2025), +4.4 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 23 years old with a median 109,718 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2003 Avensis?
The median tested example shows 109,718 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2003 Avensis?
In this cohort petrols pass 69.7% of tests against 66.4% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.