Adice on CVT's

[Seanbrenn]

Hello All :}

I've decided to buy a 2014 (14reg) 1.8 V-Matic Icon.I drive a taxi here in Dublin and i'll actually be going over to UK to buy this car as you can't get anything but a diesel here due to taxation/emission laws.I won't be buying a diesel for all the obvious issues any modern diesel presents with high miles.

Anyway my main question to anyone with experience over there is whether the CVT box in the 2014 version of this Avensis has any major high mileage issues.I will expect to try and get up to 180,000 miles with this car and I'm wondering is it feasible to expect the box to last (with good care and maintenance) - or are they just not able for these miles no matter how well you treat them.

I'll buy a manual if I have to but really I would prefer the Auto.With a manual I can address issues at least, whereas with the CVT if it starts to give trouble - that's it , you're done!! Car is off the road due to cost of repair.

Also I presume the EPB issue has been sorted out by 2014? Any reports/thoughts please?

Finally - Happy St. Patrick's Day :) :)

 

Thanks guys

[Morton54]

Certainly no expert on this, but what's the difference between the first T27 Avensis CVT and the present? I never heard or read anything about an Avensis CVT breakdown. The Avensis has been out since 2008,2009 so if there was a problem we should have heard about it by now.. Think other parts of the car will give up long before the CVT.  And is there really any maintenance procedure for the CVT at all? Closed unit.. drive and forget..

[Seanbrenn]

Sounding good so far :) 

Re: Maintenance - I wasn't sure. I was thinking of regular oil changes if that applies.

Cheers

[Heidfirst]

afaik CVT failures in Avensis are incredibly rare (but expensive if they do occur because afaik they just change the whole unit rather than repair).

Again the EPB seems to rarely fail & usually where it does it is because of water ingress (so don't pressure wash near the module or go through deep puddles). It's a 3rd party part commonly used by many manufacturers & the no. of cars with traditional handbrakes in this sector is fast diminishing.

[Seanbrenn]

Cheers man.That all sounds positive so far.

No car is perfect right? Thanks for getting back.

[nielshm]

I think the CVT oil is due for inspection every 40.000 miles. I think Toyota can measure if the oil is OK and still operates within the norm.

I drive the new Auris with CVT my selv, and I want a oil change, rather than just an inspection. Oil changes is pretty expensive, but the replacement of a gearbox is never a option. 

[Seanbrenn]

Thanks Niels - I'm def with you on that point. 

Have you priced an oil change?

[nielshm]

I've read that a danish company that rebuilds all kinds of automatic transmissions charges 200£ for a oil change. The CVT is very well sealed, it does'nt have a drain plug and it does'nt have a dipstick. So changing oil with the right amount coming back in, is quite difficult. 

Honda changes the oil in their CVT, Toyota only makes inspections every 40.000 miles. 

[Seanbrenn]

Thanks again Niels.Would be worth it.