Before you buy a used Toyota Avensis (III).
Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.
The essentials.
- 2 documented, sourced faults across its 3 engines.
- That is not much data: if no other faults show up here, it does not mean it has none.
- They all depend on the equipment or the production date: ask what this car has.
- 4 official recalls on record: ask for the chassis number (VIN) and confirm they have been done.
- According to the data we have, the engines with the fewest documented faults are: 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 Valvematic (Petrol), 1.6 / 2.0 D-4D (BMW) (Diesel).
Typical faults by engine
The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.
All versions
Sheets the catalogue links to all 3 of its engines.
- Underbody rust, EGR, 2.0 diesel turbo and clutch on the Avensis IIIKnown weak points
- Period mentioned
- 2009–2018
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.
1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 Valvematic · 1.6 / 2.0 D-4D (BMW)
1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 Valvematic (Petrol) · 1.6 / 2.0 D-4D (BMW) (Diesel)
We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.
2.0 / 2.2 D-4D
Diesel
- Period mentioned
- 2009–2018
- Mileage mentioned
- The sheet does not mention a mileage.
Applies if: Same engines as the Verso; failures are concentrated in engines built before late 2011.
Which engine has the fewest documented faults?
| Engine | Documented faults | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 ValvematicPetrolFewest documented | 11 with conditions | 4 |
| 2.0 / 2.2 D-4DDiesel | 22 with conditions | 4 |
| 1.6 / 2.0 D-4D (BMW)DieselFewest documented | 11 with conditions | 4 |
According to the data we have, the engines with the fewest documented faults are: 1.6 / 1.8 / 2.0 Valvematic (Petrol), 1.6 / 2.0 D-4D (BMW) (Diesel).
By fuel type, the one with the fewest documented faults is: Petrol.
We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.
Official recalls: ask before you pay
A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.
- Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
- Ask an official Toyota dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
- Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Toyota airbag and seat-belt recalls (2003–2024)Airbags and seat belts
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryToyota fuel-system recalls (2002–2026)Fuel system
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryToyota wheel, axle and suspension recalls (2004–2026)Suspension and steering
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryToyota engine, transmission and software recalls (2002–2026)Powertrain and engine management
How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.
View full entryOn the test drive: what to look and listen for
Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.
0 of 2 checked
Known weak points
Look out for: Thin underbody protection with rust spots; dirty EGR (weak power, jerks); on the 2.0 diesel, exhaust gas in the engine bay from loose turbo bolts and a leaking low-pressure fuel line; brakes and clutch that wear early; battery, starter and alternator with mileage.
Ask them to check: Check the underbody and its protection; on diesels, exhaust smell and turbo bolts; test the clutch.
Engine
Look out for: Coolant loss, overheating or white smoke (gasket or head); on the 1.6 D-4D, hesitation, loss of power or the engine stopping.
Ask them to check: Combustion-gas test on the coolant and check oil consumption; ask Toyota by VIN whether the campaign was done. On the 1.6 D-4D, check the EGR recall.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.
- Underbody rust, EGR, 2.0 diesel turbo and clutch on the Avensis III
- Head gasket, cracks and EGR on the Verso and Avensis III diesels
- Toyota airbag and seat-belt recalls (2003–2024)
- Toyota fuel-system recalls (2002–2026)
- Toyota wheel, axle and suspension recalls (2004–2026)
- Toyota engine, transmission and software recalls (2002–2026)
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