2006 Toyota Avensis 1.8L Petrol · M14 TBM

The 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine is known for reasonable fuel economy, typically returning 35-40 mpg on a mix of motorway and town driving, though real-world figures from a 20-year-old example may be closer to 30-35 mpg. At today's fuel prices, expect to spend roughly £1,400-£1,700 per year on petrol if covering around 6,000 miles. Road tax falls in the historic vehicle rate band as the car was registered before March 2006 thresholds, so VED will be a modest fixed annual amount rather than the variable CO2-based charge.

Insurance should be relatively affordable in the lower-middle groups typical for a 1.8 Avensis saloon, with comprehensive cover likely to fall in the £300-£450 range for an experienced driver. Servicing parts are inexpensive and widely available, but the corrosion-related work flagged in the MOT history is likely to push maintenance costs up. Budget £300-£500 annually for routine servicing plus a contingency of £500-£800 for corrosion and suspension repairs over the next couple of years.

Begin with the sub-frame, which has been flagged at every single MOT test in the record, including a fail in December 2024. Place the car on a ramp and tap the front and rear sub-frame members with a screwdriver; if sections crumble or show deep pitting, major welding or sub-frame replacement is on the horizon. Pay particular attention to the rear suspension arms, which were deemed seriously weakened by corrosion at the December 2024 failure - even though the car passed in January 2025 and December 2025, the advisories are escalating in tone.

Check the tyres closely. Two rears were below the legal 1.6mm tread depth at the December 2024 failure, and both fronts were worn close to the legal limit at the December 2025 test. Uneven wear may hint at alignment or suspension issues. Also inspect the nearside front coil spring, which was fractured at the December 2023 failure - if the replacement spring is cheap aftermarket, ask whether a strut assembly was changed at the same time, as coil spring breaks often accompany worn top mounts.

Finally, verify that the headlamp insecure advisory and side repeater fault from December 2023 have been properly resolved with new fixings rather than cable ties. Confirm all bulbs, including the nearside rear stop lamp which was not working at the December 2024 failure, are functioning. Look for oil leaks around the cam cover and sump, listen for timing chain rattle on a cold start, and check the radiator and coolant hoses for signs of crusting - the 1ZZ-FE engine in this generation is generally robust but original coolant hoses at 20 years old are a sensible replacement item.