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TOYOTA AVENSIS (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 3,437 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,857

£155/month

MOT Pass Rate

75%

Average

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1995cc Diesel

Check Carefully

75% pass rate, £1857/year to run. 7 points below average.

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Diesel1995cc23 years old3,437 tests116k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1995cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Based on 1995cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£1,857
Per month£155/mo
Per week£36/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

75% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 7 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the TOYOTA brand average of 84%.

At 23 years old, 75% of TOYOTA AVENSISs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 3,437 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 116,046 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars169th of 445(top 38%)
Rank among TOYOTA models776th of 996(top 78%)
vs national average-7%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average+3%(72% avg)
vs TOYOTA average-9%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

116,046

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 TOYOTA AVENSIS has 116,046 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2017 model with a 88% MOT pass rate, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 70%. The 2003 sits between the two at 75%.

TOYOTA AVENSIS by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201888%1,79895,222 mi
201788%4,07886,161 mi
201687%5,83697,189 mi
201585%5,426117,294 mi
201483%5,229133,017 mi
201382%5,353135,382 mi
201281%8,379130,725 mi
201179%7,416127,805 mi
201079%9,581130,166 mi
200977%9,074129,424 mi
200875%9,083128,873 mi
200775%9,118134,277 mi
200673%8,473130,077 mi
200574%6,330124,984 mi
200476%4,759117,887 mi
200375%3,437116,046 mi
200271%1,627112,717 mi
200176%1,121111,507 mi
200073%744112,081 mi
199970%1,232122,912 mi
199873%918122,408 mi

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About the 2003 TOYOTA AVENSIS

The 2003 TOYOTA AVENSIS is a family car with a 1995cc diesel engine. 3,437 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 116,046 miles at 23 years old, TOYOTA AVENSIS owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 TOYOTA AVENSIS Fuel Costs

The 1995cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2003 TOYOTA AVENSIS?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,857 155/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 75% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

TOYOTA AVENSIS Reliability Trend

Newer TOYOTA AVENSISs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2003 TOYOTA AVENSIS

At 23 years old, the TOYOTA AVENSIS is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2017 model has the highest pass rate at 88%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 TOYOTA AVENSIS's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 116k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2003 TOYOTA AVENSIS stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
TOYOTA AVENSIS(2003)75%£1037£265Grp 18-32£1857
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2005)72%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727-£130
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2005)69%£905£135Grp 12-25£1795-£62
HONDA CIVIC(2005)73%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050+£193
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(2005)72%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050+£193

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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Related Guides

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