2003 Toyota Avensis 1.8L Petrol · HT03 OYF

This 2003 Toyota Avensis passed its most recent MOT on 22 May 2026 with 98,292 miles, but the list of defects is long and concerning. The test recorded a rear exhaust leak, worn anti-roll bar bushes, corrosion on the rear sub-frame and suspension mounting areas, both rear inner sills corroded, both front suspension arms corroded, an oil leak, a damaged front bumper, an offside front tyre close to the limit and perishing, and a deteriorated rear registration plate. This is a heavy list for a single pass and signals that the car is entering a phase where structural and mechanical issues are accumulating. The mechanical pattern is one of steady, creeping deterioration rather than sudden failure. The rear inner sills have been noted as corroded on both the 2025 and 2026 tests, and the rear sub-frame corrosion has now been flagged as well. The oil leak has been present since at least 2025, and the battery insecurity has been a recurring issue since 2024. The 2023 failure showed dangerously worn brake pads, a split driveshaft boot, and an insecure battery that risked a short circuit. While those immediate faults were fixed to pass, the underlying corrosion and wear are not being fully addressed. The trend is clearly worsening. The 2024 test was relatively clean with only a tyre and battery note.