Questions To Ask And What To Look For When Buying An Avensis

[Adam Zapple]

I've seen an Avensis for sale at a dealer that looks very nice indeed. Low mileage and the past MOT records all look good (the only glitches noted were tyres and the hatchback not shutting correctly).

I'm hoping to go and take a look this coming week but I only know the basics. I check the engine for signs of leaks and listen for unusual rattles or noises. I fire up the engine, let it run, switch off and then start up again. I check things like the steering wheel and pedals for excessive wear, I look at the upholstery, check the instruments, air con are all working. I now know to check the rear inner wheel arches for water, I also check the exhaust and make sure water isn't coming out. I try and judge panel gaps and look for signs or repair andBwhen test driving I listen for unusual noises and generally use my experience as a driver to decide whether everything feels ok - brakes, steering, gearbox etc and that's about me done. So I was wondering if you guys could advise me. Any questions I should be asking the dealer? Anything specific I should be checking on an Avensis. Any tips would be very much appreciated.

I'm hoping I'll have a photo on here soon of my new Avensis.

Thanks.

[frankie406]

Take the oil filler cap off and look at it any milky/creamy substance on it put the cap back on and politely run away from it!!!😆

[Heidfirst]

check for condensation in front & rear lights.

The diesels (don't know about petrols) with 6-speed box expect the change into 2nd to be obstructive both going up & down the box until it warms up.

If looking for a diesel be aware of the head/headgasket issue that develops in a small % of the AD engine series as it's very, very expensive to fix properly.

If buying a Tourer check the mounting lugs on the tonneau cover as these commonly break & you can't buy them as a separate spare part - a new tonneau iirc is ~£400!

[tonino]

Milky substance means that car been driven on a very short basis and most of the time it's ok, this can be seen on the oil deep stick too and still no trouble. All petrol vehicle are prone to this especially in winter months. If engine sounds right, coolant and oil are clean, engine is responsive when pushed and no smoke or bangs there is nothing to worry about the white stuff. Water coming out from the exhaust is one of the good signs that engine and exhaust system runs well, even touch the exhaust pipe inside and if you can't get your finger dirty means all good, correct combustion and the steam means correct catalytic conversion of the gases. Even modern diesels are same, clean and watery exhaust.