2010 Toyota Avensis — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 37,549 MOT tests analysed for the 2010 Toyota Avensis, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 79.7% was above the average for large family cars of a similar age (76.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 23.8% in the 150k+ group versus 10.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.3% | 5,364 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.8% | 2,928 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.7% | 2,516 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.7% | 1,773 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.3% | 1,621 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.8% | 659 |
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 | 2,680 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,530 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 1,173 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 1,158 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 1,128 |
| 6 | Individual direction indicators | 1,110 |
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 | 30.0% | 11,281 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.6% | 10,344 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.3% | 9,861 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 6,765 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.5% | 5,431 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.5% | 2,085 |
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 | 223 | 10.3% |
| 30-60k | 2,611 | 14.1% |
| 60-90k | 7,720 | 17.1% |
| 90-120k | 9,797 | 20.0% |
| 120-150k | 7,391 | 21.8% |
| 150k+ | 9,792 | 23.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 19,901 | 19.0% |
| Diesel | 17,594 | 21.8% |
| Gas/LPG | 31 | 9.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,584 | 18.9% |
| 2022 | 8,086 | 19.7% |
| 2023 | 7,612 | 20.6% |
| 2024 | 6,991 | 21.2% |
| 2025 | 6,276 | 21.7% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Avensis
Before buying a 2010 Toyota Avensis, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (14.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.8% 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 (6.7% 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.
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 2010 Toyota Avensiss pass their MOT?
79.7% of the 37,549 2010 Toyota Avensis MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Toyota Avensis?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.3% of tests, followed by suspension (7.8%).
Does the 2010 Avensis get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.3% in the 0-30k band to 23.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 37,549 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.